What is Blood Pressure? Taber’s Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary tells us that “more generally, blood pressure is the pressure exerted by the blood on the wall of any vessel. This pressure reaches its highest values in the left ventricle during systole (that part of the heart cycle
in which the heart is in contraction). It decreases in the arterial system as the distance from the heart increases, and is lower in capillaries than in the arteries. The Systolic arterial blood pressure rises during activity or excitement and falls during sleep. The diastole is the normal period in the heart cycle during which the muscle fibers lengthen, the heart dilates, and the cavities fill with blood. The Diastolic pressure is the point of least pressure in the arterial vascular system. The failure of the diastolic pressure to drop in proportion to the systolic pressure is a danger sign.”
This helped me immensely to understand what ‘blood pressure’ is. It was also noted that blood pressure varies with age, sex, altitude, muscular development and different states of worry and fatigue. It is usually lower in women than in men, low in childhood and higher as one advances in age. Normal blood pressure in a healthy young person is, considered by the doctors, to be 100 to 120 systolic and 60 to 80 diastolic. A pressure reading greater than 140 systolic is believed to be abnormal. Taber’s mentions that “the loss of resilience in the vascular tree and physiological changes of age must be considered when levels above 140 are obtained in apparently healthy, older persons.”
Are we now confused? Today there are so many theories in regards to the range for normal blood pressure that I wonder if anyone really knows what is correct. I know that as I have aged my blood pressure has changed. From adolescent to 60 years of age it ranged between 114-120/70-80. The doctor said not to worry…it was within the normal range. Now at 80 yrs, it ranges between 119-135/70-80 (depending on the amount of activity I engage in). The doctor still says not to worry…it is within the normal range. When I give blood, they never tell me it is too high or that I should see the doctor about it. I take my blood pressure reading at home, to check how I am doing on maintaining my blood pressure.
Let me tell you about my mother. I knew my mother’s blood pressure was too high, because when I took her blood pressure, I would get a reading of 197-225/90-127 (and sometimes even higher). That reading definitely was not normal. She took bottles and bottles of blood pressure pills (like many folks do today), to keep her blood pressure under control. The doctor told her she would die if she didn’t take the meds or have heart surgery. She died of kidney failure after open-heart surgery (she was 72 years old). The doctor never mentioned anything regarding bad kidneys until she died. He then told my older sister our mother was functioning on one-quarter of one kidney, that the rest of her kidneys had been bad for a long time, and that is why she died. Knowing this, why did he do the surgery? Talk about malpractice! In my opinion, the surgery should never have been done. I must admit that my mother insisted on the heart surgery in spite of the kidney problem, which I think she knew about, but never told any of us in the family. I am sure, as well, that is why the doctor, who knew he shouldn’t have done the surgery, and fearing a malpractice suit, decided to not charge us for her surgery. Mom had no insurance other than medicare. After that ordeal, me and my 4 sisters have cheered as we’ve reached age 70 and over: we are glad to still be alive. Our mother’s health issues could very well be genetic. Everyone has a story to tell.
The experience with my mother was a factor in peeking my interest in alternative health procedures. I wish I knew then what I know now. However, I doubt I could have convinced my mother that changing her eating habits and lifestyle would have had a beneficial effect on her health.
Scientific studies in regards to the heart and blood pressure take place on a daily basis. You hear about these studies on the TV, read about them in magazines and newspapers, can research them on the internet, and even receive junk mail about them. The questions are: what does it all have to do with me: what do I do, I am already under a doctor’s care. Everyone should consult their physician about their individual health issues when it comes to abnormal blood pressure numbers. As well, there are alternative methods and supplements that can be taken to help lower your blood pressure readings, and then help you to maintain the lower numbers.
As a detoxification specialist, I urge everyone to start with a Detox Program. My counseling services are Free when you contact me through this, my blog, or check out my FYI Healthtalk Store (in the link to the right of this column). The decision is up to you to change your eating habits and lifestyle so that you will not have to take prescription medications or continue to take the ones you are on to solve your health issues. I have made, and have friends who have made life changing decisions in regards to food and lifestyle. The joy for me and for them was when we heard our doctor say, “You can reduce your meds or discontinue them. I don’t know what you are doing, but whatever it is, keep doing it.”
Don’t be afraid to let your body heal itself. God is in charge. God created you with a perfect body – you are the one responsible for its destruction or mode of perfection.
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Until next time…may God Bless!
FYI-HEALTH TALK 