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Blood pressure and how to control it

In 2017, the American Associ-
Café ation of Cardiology released new the top number and it represents pressure. A diagnosis of hyper- second time around, you have to
talk to them about blood pressure
tension does not just come from
the pressure inside a blood ves-
blood pressure guidelines, stating
one high blood pressure reading.
medication.”
sel,” said Dr. Prasant Pandey, a
that anyone with blood pressure
It comes from a series of consis-
cardiologist with Coordinated
Aside from diet and exercise,
of 120 over 80 is considered to
tent high blood pressure read-
Musikfest have “elevated blood pressure,” pressure in a garden hose. If the ings. to reducing high blood pressure.
there is no ‘natural’ supplement
Health. “It’s the same as water
while any patient with more than
With the series of new guide-
pressure is too high, the hose can
Trying to avoid reacting to stress,
lines, patients need to understand
130 over 80 will be classified as
however, is another key to keep-
blow. If the pressure is too low,
having “Stage 1 High Blood
that there are still healthy modifi-
ing that number in check.
not enough water is getting
Pressure.”
cations that can help them lower
through. If the pressure is too
“Some studies show that
According to the U.S. Centers
controlled salt intake.
versions of routine exercise can
feel it. The bottom number refers
tion, roughly one in three adults
“Some patients will tell me,
at for Disease Control and Preven- high, you may not necessarily their readings: diet, exercise and meditation, yoga, and the soft
to the pressure when your heart
help – whether you like doing
‘But I was healthy last year.’
in the United States has high
11 blood pressure. Everyone has had is resting between beats. The They don’t want to take prescrip- meditation or anything that can
bottom number is a checkpoint.”
give you some peace of mind,”
tion medications if they don’t
their blood pressure taken at one
Pandey said.
As Pandey pointed out, you
have to,” Pandey explained.
time or another, but few people
May know exactly what those num- can have an elevated reading in about education and warming Life is stressful, period. A lot of
“Stress is relative, however.
“With a first high reading, it’s
one number, or both. An above-
bers mean.
“When your heart pumps at
you react to it.”
With another high reading the
qualifies a person for high blood
its strongest forceful pump, that’s average reading in either number people up to the new guidelines. stress training is focusing on how
Know the signs of atrial fibrillation
Heart palpitations, chest pain
another health issue, says Dr.
AFib, the upper chambers of the
The doctor will determine the
heart, called the atria, beat irreg-
mind the symptoms of a heart
patient’s risk for stroke, high
Steven Stevens, cardiology-
2018 EXPERIENCE and shortness of breath bring to know about it until they have in a beat. When a person has is pumping correctly.
blood pressure, diabetes and
electrophysiology, of St. Luke’s
ularly. They quiver and do not
attack. While a heart attack could
22, be the cause of those feelings, University Health Network’s move the blood into the ventri- other health issues and then
discuss treatment options that
Cardiology Associates.
atrial fibrillation also may be a
cles in an effective manner. This
“A lot of people don’t have
APRIL culprit. any symptoms,” he said. “It’s irregularity can cause pooling or will work for the patient. Those
clotting of blood. Should a clot
Atrial fibrillation, also called
options might include medication
AFib, is a quivering or irregular
to slow the heart rate, a pace-
difficult to diagnose because not
break off and enter the blood-
SUNDAY, heartbeat that may lead to heart- everyone feels it the same way.” stream, particularly in an artery maker or shocking the heart back
AFib symptoms could include
into a normal rhythm.
leading to the brain, stroke may
related complications. The
occur.
palpitations, which could feel
American Heart Association says
“AFib is not a one-size-fits-all
disease; it’s not a one-size-fits-all
like a flip-flopping in the chest or
A proper diagnosis from a
that at least 2.7 million Ameri-
CALL cans are living with AFib. Al- even a racing feeling. Other physician is needed before treat- treatment,” Stevens said. “Every-
thing has risks. You have to give
though treatable, without proper
ment can begin. An examination
symptoms include fatigue; re-
duced ability to exercise; light-
may include an EKG or ECG,
an acceptable treatment option.”
diagnosis, AFib may lead to
“It’s part of life and it’s ex-
headedness; chest pain; shortness
blood clots, stroke and even heart
which will show the heart's elec-
MORNING WOMEN failure. of breath; and dizziness and trical activity as line tracings on tremely treatable,” he said. “They
paper. The spikes and dips in the
weakness.
AFib is something that affects
can still live well with and with
When the heart is working
one in four people in their life-
treatment they can prevent more
tracings are called waves. An
THE time and often people don’t normally, it contracts and relaxes EKG will determine if the heart serious problems.”
OF
SECTION FOR Controlling sleep and diet for a healthier heart
Cholesterol is also important
pressure drops twice a day –
a few extra pounds can cause
ADVERTISING RED you can reduce your risk of heart once in the afternoon and once at blood pressure to start elevating. to consider when it comes to
There are several ways that
disease, the leading cause of
night. If you stay awake, you are
taking care of your heart. You
“After 20 extra pounds, that’s
should get your cholesterol levels
sustaining your blood pressure at
it. The most common cause is
death in the U.S. The American
salt,” explains Dr. Mascarenhas.
night, so then you feel tired by
College of Cardiology notes that
checked at least once every four
cardiovascular disease accounts
“A lot of people consume too
2:30 or 3 p.m. People eat or drink
to six years. Those diagnosed
SPECIAL GO for 31 percent of all deaths across coffee, so as a result, they are much salt without even checking. with high cholesterol should
recognize that cholesterol is only
putting on more weight. I have
the globe.
Even with a normal heart, you
“The most important factors
can have heart failure. The prob-
found in animal products, so a
trained the residents to ask about
diet rich in fruits and vegetables
diet and sleeping habits.”
are diet, exercise, and a good
lem is diet. Our heart is like a
Many people mistakenly
night’s sleep,” says Dr. Daniel
has compliance. It can only take
Mascarenhas, a cardiologist at believe that diet and exercise soccer ball that you cut open. It can provide a simple way to keep
your cholesterol in check.
Easton Hospital. “When people alone can help sustain good so much. When you consume too If you feel you are at risk, you
come to me, I ask them, ‘How do blood pressure. With more than much salt, the compliance is not should speak with your doctor
you sleep?’ A good amount of 60 percent of Americans either there. The blood backs up into about developing a plan for
people do not sleep for even obese or overweight, however, the lungs and you develop heart effective management of your
4 seven hours a night. Your blood it’s important to realize that even failure.” weight and sleeping habits.