Blood Pressuure
The Health Index
Blood pressure is the force, or pressure, that blood exerts on the walls of the blood vessels. It maintains a steady flow of blood into, and out of, all the organs of the body. Keeping blood pressure within normal limits is vital.
If it is too high (hypertension), blood vessels can be damaged, causing clots, and rupture, resulting in a heart attack or stroke. If it is too low (hypotension), blood flow to the tissues may be inadequate, which is potentially very dangerous – especially if this were to affect the brain, kidneys or heart.
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High or low blood pressure does not always cause symptoms.
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Pubescent girls, young, slim women, pregnant women and gaunt, older people are most frequently affected by low blood pressure. It can be a result of dehydration, which is particularly common in older people. If you experience symptoms of low blood pressure (see below), and they occur frequently or very suddenly, you should get the cause clarified by your doctor.
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High blood pressure or hypertension, which is more common than low blood pressure, not only affects older people. Young adults and even children can also suffer from it. What is particularly worrying is that many people affected do not know that they are ill.
What are the causes?
There are many causes of hypertension. In most cases, an unhealthy diet and lifestyle are major contributory factors.
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The risk of developing high blood pressure increases with age. Over the years, the blood vessels lose their elasticity and become stiffer. Often, only the upper blood pressure value (systolic pressure) is elevated in older people - this is also considered high blood pressure, which is usually treated with medication.
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These days, more and more children also develop high blood pressure. In children, the main causes are being overweight and too little exercise. Maintaining a normal weight and doing daily physical activity are the best ways to protect children from high blood pressure and its consequences.
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In adulthood, it affects men more often than women. About one in five men between the ages of 40 and 49 has high blood pressure. From the age of 60 onwards, women catch up. This is usually caused by the menopause, when levels of the hormone that lowers blood pressure, oestrogen, begin to fall. Women can also develop high blood pressure during pregnancy or by taking the contraceptive pill.
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In rare cases, high blood pressure is the result of another disease. This is usually a kidney disease, hormone disorder or vascular disease. If this other condition can be treated successfully, blood pressure usually returns to normal.
What are the symptoms of low blood pressure?
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Dizziness
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Palpitations
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Headaches
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Tiredness
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Difficulty breathing
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Ringing in the ears / Tinnitus
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Loss of appetite
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Irritability
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Sensitivity to the weather
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Low mood
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What are the symptoms of high blood pressure?
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Most patients show hardly any clear symptoms of high blood pressure, so it often goes unnoticed for a long time. It is often a silent disease. It is therefore important to take possible signs of high blood pressure seriously and see a doctor as soon as possible:
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Dizziness
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Headaches (especially in the morning)
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Insomnia
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Nervousness
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Ringing in the ears / Tinnitus
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Nose bleeds
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Shortness of breath
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Redness in the face
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Nausea
How can a nutrition practitioner help?
The most common underlying reason for blood pressure problems are poor diet and lifestyle choices. Even small changes to your habits and what you eat can make a big difference in a relatively short period of time.
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A nutrition practitioner will ask questions about your overall health and health history, diet, lifestyle and exercise habits. They will look at your food diary to see where there may be room for improvement. Your nutrition practitioner will then develop a customised diet, supplement and lifestyle plan for you.
