Understanding Blood Pressure

Understanding blood pressure is key to keeping it at a healthy level.

This National Blood Pressure Education Month, here are some of the things that people should know about blood pressure.

What Is Blood Pressure?

Every time the heart beats, blood is pumped into the arteries, pushing blood onto its walls. The force by which blood is pushed onto the artery walls is called blood pressure, and it is determined using two measures: systolic pressure and diastolic pressure.

Systolic pressure is measured when the heart beats and blood pressure is highest, and diastolic pressure is measured when the heart rests between beats and blood pressure falls. Together, these two numbers are read as the patient's blood pressure measurement, with the systolic pressure over the diastolic pressure.

In regard to which measurement is more important, systolic blood pressure is typically given more attention as it is considered a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease in people over 50 years old. This is because as people age, systolic blood pressure steadily rises as a result of artery stiffness, plaque build-up, and increased incidences of cardiovascular disease.

That said, an elevation in either systolic or diastolic blood pressure may be used as evidence to diagnose high blood pressure.

High And Low Blood Pressure

Generally, 120/80 mm Hg or lower is considered normal blood pressure, but any lower than 90/60 may be considered hypotension or low blood pressure. This may be caused by medications, standing too quickly, or certain medical conditions, but it only becomes problematic when it caused dizziness, fainting, or even shock. For some people, low blood pressure may even be normal.
 
On the other hand, measurements of 140/90 mm Hg or higher is considered high blood pressure or hypertension. This condition is problematic because it usually does not have obvious symptoms but may cause kidney failure, stroke, heart attack, and heart failure.

Hypertensive patients are often prescribed with hypertension medications and are advised to make lifestyle changes.

Blood pressure higher than 180/120 mm Hg is considered a hypertensive crisis, and the patient must be rushed to a health care provider immediately.

Blood Pressure Reading Accuracy

A recently published study revealed that blood pressure measurements that are taken out of doctors' clinics are not exactly accurate. In fact, 39 percent of the people with normal blood pressure readings at the clinic registered high blood pressure readings out of the clinic. This inaccuracy is rather problematic because it prevents the patients from getting the proper health care that's specific to their needs.

On the part of the patients, some of the things that can alter blood pressure reading are slouching, having a full bladder, talking during the procedure, having crossed legs, and if the arm is unsupported during measurement. Such simple errors can add up to 10 points to blood pressure readings.

"Knowing how to measure blood pressure accurately at home, and recognizing mistakes in the physician's office, can help you manage your pressure and avoid unnecessary medication changes," said a doctor.

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.                                                                                                                                                                                                        PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO  VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                           https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/  

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A Complete Guide to Tachycardia

Tachycardia is a fast-resting heart rate of usually at least 100 beats per minute. This can be a dangerous condition, depending on its underlying cause and how hard the heart has to work.

 

Normally, the adult resting heart, beats between 60-100 beats per minute. However, when an individual has tachycardia, the upper and/or lower chambers of the heart beat a lot faster. Our heart rates are controlled by electrical signals that are sent across the heart’s tissues. When the heart starts producing rapid electrical signals, tachycardia occurs.
 
When the heart is beating too fast, it cannot pump efficiently, and blood flow to the rest of the body, including the heart, reduces. Since the heart is beating quicker, the myocardium (muscles of the heart) need more oxygen – if they become oxygen-starved, they will start to die off, leading to a heart attack.

Some patients with this condition show no symptoms or complications. However, tachycardia significantly increases the possibility of a stroke, sudden cardiac arrest, and death.

 

Symptoms of Tachycardia

• Accelerated heart rate (fast pulse)
• Chest pain
• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Hypotension
• Panting
• Sudden weakness
• Lightheadedness
• Palpitations – an uncomfortable racing feeling in the chest

Treatments for Tachycardia
Treatment options for this condition vary, depending on what has caused the condition, and the patient’s age and general health. The aim of the treatment is to tackle the cause of the tachycardia. When clinically applicable, the doctor may attempt to slow the rate, prevent subsequent episodes of tachycardia, and reduce risk complications. However, when no underlying cause is found, the doctors will have to try out different therapies.

Ways to Slow Down a Fast Heartbeat
Vagal Maneuvers
The vagal nerve helps to regulate our heartbeat. Maneuvers that affect this nerve include coughing, heaving, and placing an ice pack on your face.

Medication
Antiarrhythmic drugs that help to restore and control a normal heartbeat can be taken orally or by injection. Sometimes a patient might have to take more than one kind of antiarrhythmic drug.

Cardioversion
Paddles or patches are used to deliver electric shocks to the heart. This affects the electrical impulses in the heart and helps to restore a normal rhythm. This is done in a hospital.

Prevention of Episodes of Tachycardia

Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation
Catheters enter the heart via blood vessels. Then, electrodes at the ends of the catheters are heated to ablate (damage) the sections of the heart that are responsible for the abnormal heart rate.
Medications
When taken regularly, antiarrhythmic medications can help prevent tachycardia. However, patients may be required to take other medications as well, such as channel blockers, or example diltiazem (Cardizem) and verapamil (Calan), or beta-blockers, for example, propranolol (Inderal), and esmolol (Brevibloc).

Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD)
This device, which constantly monitors the patient’s heartbeat, is surgically implanted into the chest. The ICD detects any heart abnormalities and delivers shocks to keep the heart rate normal.
Surgery
Sometimes, surgery is needed to remove a section of tissue. This procedure is only carried out when other therapies have been ineffective, or if the patient has another heart disorder.
Warfarin
This makes it harder for the blood to clot and it’s given to patients with a high or moderate risk of having a stroke or heart attack. Although this drug increases the risk of bleeding, it is prescribed to those whose risk of a stroke or heart attack far outweighs the risk of bleeding.

Causes of Tachycardia

• A reaction to certain medications
• Congenital (present at birth) electrical pathway abnormalities in the heart
• Consuming too much alcohol
• Consumption of cocaine and other recreational drugs
• Electrolyte imbalance
• Heart disease which has resulted in poor blood supply and damage to heart tissue, including heart valve disease, coronary artery disease, heart failure, heart muscle disease, infections, or tumors.
• Hypertension
• Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland)
• Smoking
• Certain lung diseases

Types of Tachycardia
Atrial Fibrillation
Sometimes, electrical activity can arise from the left atrium instead of the sinus node. This causes the chambers to contract at a high and irregular rate; this is atrial fibrillation. An episode of atrial fibrillation can last from a few hours to several days, and sometimes it may not go away until treated.

Atrial Flutter
The atria beat rapidly, but regularly. This condition is caused by a circuit problem within the right atrium. The contractions of the atria are weak because of the rapid heartbeat. An atrial flutter episode can last a few hours or a few days. It may also not go away until treatment is received. This is often caused by some form of heart disease.

Supraventricular Tachycardias (SVTs)
This refers to any tachycardic (accelerated) heart rhythm that originates above the ventricular tissue. The abnormal circuitry in the heart is usually congenital (present a birth) and creates a loop of overlapping electrical signals. An SVT episode can last from anywhere between a few seconds to a few hours.

 

Ventricular Tachycardia
Abnormal electrical signals in the ventricles result in a rapid heart rate. The speed of the heartbeat does not allow the ventricles to contract and fill properly, leading to poor blood supply to the body. This type of tachycardia is life-threatening and is usually treated as a medical emergency.

Ventricular Fibrillation
This occurs when the ventricles quiver in an ineffective way, resulting in poor blood supply to the body. If a normal heartbeat is not restored rapidly, blood circulation will cease, and the patient will die. Those with an underlying heart condition, or those who have been hit by lightning, may experience ventricular fibrillation.

Risk Factors for Tachycardia

• Age – people aged 60 and above have a much higher chance of experiencing tachycardia
• Anxiety
• Consuming large quantities of alcohol regularly
• Consuming large quantities of caffeine
• Genetics – people who have close relatives with tachycardia or other heart rhythm disorders have a higher chance of developing the condition
• Heart disease
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Mental stress
• Smoking
• Using recreational drugs

Diagnosis of Tachycardia
A doctor can usually diagnose tachycardia by asking the patient some questions about their symptoms, carrying out a physical exam, and ordering some tests to be done. These may include:
Electrocardiogram
Electrodes are attached to the patient’s body to measure the electrical pulses that are given off by the heart. This test is also able to show any previous heart disease that may have contributed to the tachycardia.
Echocardiogram
This is a type of ultrasound investigation. By bouncing sounds of the structures in the body and registering the echoes, a moving image of the heart can be produced. This can help show structural or congenital abnormalities that might be playing a role in tachycardia.
Holter Monitor
The patient wears a portable device that records their heartbeat. It’s worn under the clothing and records information about the electrical activity of the heart while the person goes about their daily activities.

Blood Tests
This will help determine whether thyroid problems or other substances may be contributing to the patient’s tachycardia.

 

Tilt-Table Test
If the patient is experiencing fainting spells, lightheadedness, or dizziness, and neither the ECG or the Holter revealed any arrhythmias, a tilt-table test will be performed. This monitors the patient’s blood pressure, heart rhythm, and heart rate while they are moved from a lying to an upright position.
Chest X-Ray
This helps the doctor to check the state of the individual’s heart and lungs. Other conditions that could be causing the tachycardia might also be detected.
Possible Complications of Tachycardia
• Blood clots – these significantly increase the risk of a heart attack or stroke
• Heart failure – if the condition isn’t controlled, the heart is likely to get weaker. Heart failure is when the heart does not pump blood around the body efficiently or properly. The patients left, right, or even both sides can be affected.
• Fainting spells
• Sudden death – generally only linked to ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation.                                                                 
THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.                                                                                                                                                                                                      PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                           https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/   
FOR INFO ABOUT KNEE REPLACEMENT, YOU CAN VIEW MY BLOG-                                                           https:// kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com/                              
FOR CROCHET DESIGNS                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         https://my crochet creations.blogspot.com/ 

Treatment of hypotension (low BP)

Low blood pressure or hypotension occurs when the blood pressure during and after each heartbeat is much lower than normal. Normally low blood pressure is anywhere between 90 mmHg or lower and diastolic pressure is 60 mmHg or lower, and having such a condition can be very dangerous for various organs such as the brain, heart, kidneys etc.

Treatment and management of hypotension

Low blood pressure as such may not require treatment but if it is associated with any other disorder, your doctor will address that condition as first line of treatment. For example, if you have a thyroid problem along with hypotension, the thyroid problem will be addressed rather than your blood pressure.

Similarly, if a medication for a condition is causing the blood pressure to drop, medications are going to be changed.

In general, you can raise your blood pressure to normal levels by –

• Using more salt in your diet to increase sodium intake (but check with your doctor first);
• Drinking more water to prevent dehydration;
• Limiting alcohol and caffeine intake especially at night;
• Eating small, frequent meals;
• Getting out of bed or get up from the chair slowly;
• Avoiding going out in extreme heat conditions;
• Being physically active

Besides, there are alternative therapies to normalize your blood pressure.

• Yoga such as Ardha Matsyendrasana, Paschimotasana, and Bhastrika Pranayam are good for managing blood pressure irregularities and especially hypotension issues.
• Acupressure is believed to be a holistic approach that heals low blood pressure.
• Gentle massaging of the reflex points in your hands and feet by a certified reflexologist can raise low blood pressure.
• Herbs such as turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, pepper, Ashwagandha, ginkgo and garlic may also help in normalizing blood pressure. There are homeopathic remedies for low blood pressure also. But remember to consult only a registered homeopathic doctor for treatment.

‘Health is the greatest possession. Contentment is the greatest treasure. Confidence is the greatest friend. – Lao Tzu

pl. always consult your physician before you do anything.

ps- this is only for information, but always consult you physician before having any particular food/ medication.

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