October 6, 2006

High blood pressure - Effects of High Blood Pressure: They are Quite Serious

The effects of high blood pressure truly affect every area of the body, from head to toe. Many people think of the effects of high blood pressure on the heart only, and although that is definitely a problem, high blood pressure does still have massive effects on the rest of the body as well, and this can certainly not be forgotten.

Effects on the Brain

One of the effects of high blood pressure on the brain is that in regards to having a higher risk of stroke. In fact, high blood pressure is considered as being one of the leading indications that you are at risk to have a stroke. The blood vessels are weakened when you have high blood pressure, and if they break, they can bleed in your brain, which leads to one form of stroke.

High blood pressure can be caused by hardening of the arteries, and if the arteries become clogged and block the flow of blood to the brain, this can also cause a life-threatening stroke.

Effect on the Eyes

Yes, there are effects of high blood pressure in regards to the eyes as well. In fact, blood pressure that gets too high can cause the blood vessels that are in the eye to burst. If they do, your vision will become blurred. This condition can eventually lead to permanent blindness.

Effect on the Arteries

Effects of high blood pressure on the arteries are also highly publicized; it is natural for the arteries to harden as the body ages. Add to that high blood pressure, which leads to more hardening of the arteries, and you have a very dangerous condition. Hardened arteries make both the heart and the kidneys have to work harder, which can thus cause them to wear out. Hardened arteries can lead to heart attack, kidney failure, and stroke.

Effects on the Kidneys

One of the effects of high blood pressure is that in regards to the body eventually leading to kidney failure. The kidneys are the filters of the blood, and as high blood pressure causes the arteries to harden, it can cut off the flow of blood to the kidneys. When not enough blood flows in and out of the kidneys, waste builds up in the blood, which can lead to kidney failure.

Effects on the Heart

Heart problems are probably the most obvious effects of high blood pressure. The arteries that can harden with high blood pressure bring oxygen filled blood to the heart. Without this blood, the heart cannot get enough oxygen. The first symptom will be pain in the chest, and if the blockages are not corrected, heart attacks occur. Also, high blood pressure can lead to congestive heart failure, where the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the needs of the body.

Mayo Clinic on High Blood Pressure

Mayo Clinic on High Blood Pressure Customer Review: Well done introduction
This book is a nice summary of the subject covering the technical background of high blood pressure as well as treatments-including diet and exercise and drug therapy. Although most of us have primary hypertension-caused by hereditary factors, some have secondary hypertension, ie as a symptom of underlying conditions. The book does name the two most common ones: renal artery stenosis (RAS), about 1/100 odds and pheochromocytoma, about 1/1000 odds. Those taking more than three meds to control high blood pressure should be evaluated for these conditions (though some say the odds are so low, the tests are not worth the cost).

Most useful is the obesity table and the relationship that to lose wt, your daily calorie intake should be no more than 10 times your weight in pounds or 22 times your weight in kilograms.

The book includes a well written overview of drug classes and how they are commonly used, which combinations are preferred. Nearly every commercial medication offered has clinical data showing that it saves lives under some circumstances. Those studies tend to encourage combinations of drugs-even more than does avoidance of unacceptable side effects. The drugs list seems current and up to date. But one should not rely on their brief summaries of side effects. Read your package inserts and research them on line to learn what side effects are potentially a problem with the drugs prescribed for you.

The book includes a few recipes and menus, but we seem to get into the same classical paradox. So much is written about healthy diet that its tough to weave a menu that truly sticks to the straight and narrow. We have the usual rabbit food-salads and veggies, served without salt or fat containing sauces blended with minor amounts of fish and chicken. They clearly do not believe in the low carb diet. And heavy fish eaters might want to worry about mercury.

Serious healthy eaters will want a more complete heart healthy cookbook, of which there are several.

This book is a nice introduction to the subject. It should help most patients who want to communicate better with their doctors and especially understand what it is they are trying to tell you. Index. List of resources and their web addresses.