This manual is part of the computer program MyCalorieCoach. You can print this manual and use it with the software.
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This manual is part of the computer program MyCalorieCoach. You can print this manual and use it with the software.
This manual is intended to provide general information about measuring and monitoring high or low blood pressure, and it is based on texts from the website of the Dutch Heart Foundation.
MyCalorieCoach allows you to measure your systolic and diastolic blood pressure on a daily basis. If the blood pressure is entered regularly a trend graphic can be made, showing your blood pressure over time. When you add a day, the daily settings screen will always be displayed, where you can enter your blood pressure.
The human heart contracts about 60 to 80 times a minute to transport oxygen and nutrients to all parts of the body. The level of the blood pressure depends on the resistance that the blood experiences. At the moment the hear contracts, more blood is pumped into the veins (systolic blood pressure), which increases the pressure. When you have a high blood pressure, the resistance is high. Your heart then relaxes, reducing the pressure in your arteries (diastolic pressure). People with high blood pressure have a diastolic pressure that is too high, and people with low blood pressure have a diastolic pressure that is too low.
High blood pressure is very common in our modern society. More and more people measure their blood pressure at home. It is important that you buy a sphygmomanometer that meets the requirements of the British Hypertension Society (BHS). An imporant guideline is to use only a sphygmomanometer that measures your blood pressure using an inflatable cuff around the upper arm. When you have high blood pressure, a realiable sphygmomanometer is important.
The blood pressure of healthy people varies throughout the day. In the morning and evening it tends to be a little lower than in the afternoon. The blood pressure rises when we move and talk, and it is also influenced by our mood. Emotions like fear and anger will increase our blood pressure. As a result, at least there measurements are required before we are able to establish hypertension. The measurements have to be made several weeks apart.
In nine out of ten cases, high blood pressure does not have a clearly identifiable cause. In some cases it is the result of a disease of the kindeys or suprarenal gland. It has, however, been demonstrated that some eating and living habits have an adverse effect on our blood pressure. Smoking, obesity, lack of exercise, excessive alcohol consumption and high levels of stress have a negative impact on blood pressure. Prolonged high blood pressure can have serious consequences for our health.
High blood pressure may damage our arteries, causing fats and cholesterol to clot, which in turn leads to a hardening of our arteries (arteriosclerosis). As a result, our heart has to work harder and harder to pump the blood around. Eventually, this may lead to a thickened heart muscle or a weakened heart. Arteriosclerosis can lead to cardiac arrest, while a narrowing of the veins that transport oxygen to the brain can cause a stroke. The eyes and kidneys can be damaged as a result of high blood pressure, and damage to the kidneys can in turn lead to a range of other health problems.
The risk of cardiovascular diseases is not only determined by blood pressure, but also by: smoking, high cholesterol levels, diabetes and genetic disposition to cardiovascular diseases. If you have several risk factors, the risk of cardiovascular diseases is higher than the sum of the individual factors. In other words: one and one equals more than two.
The doctor, after talking to the patient, determines how to treat the high blood pressure. The advice will be to eat ealthy and use little salt. In cases of obesity, it is important to lose weight, to reduce the pressure inside the arteries. A dietician may help determine a healthier eating regime.
A healthy lifestyle is important. What we mean by that is: enough exercise, quitting smoking and better stress management. If you change your lifestyle and use less salt, your blood pressure may fall. When your blood pressure stays high, your doctor may prescribe medication. If there are other risk factors in play, like high cholesterol levels or diabetes, he or she will do so more quickly.
The information on this page has been compiled with the utmost care. Nevertheless, it is possible that the information is not entirely correct. This information is not intended to replace trained professionals, but it is intended purely for educational purposes. Neither the information on this page nor use of the software can be viewed as replacing medial or other professional assistance or information provision. The information on this not intended to serve as a tool for (self)diagnostics. Visitors are recommended to present medical questions, complaints or symptoms to a doctor in time.
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