Our hearts beat throughout our lives, an estimated three billion beats per lifetime on average. It never stops as long as we are alive, that is! When we worry about a deadline, run to catch a bus, read a book or email, cheer for our favorite team, and even when we are asleep, it keeps on beating. Sadly, we pay it no attention until there is a problem. Problem with that is heart problems are usually sudden and deadly.
The symptoms of heart attacks and high blood pressure (hypertension) can very easily go unnoticed until they become severe. High blood pressure (or BP) increases the risk of stroke. Be sure you know what goes on inside your rib cage.
Did U know?
That your heart is exactly the same size as your clenched fist? This presents a lot of concern for a lot of people, especially the obese. Pumping blood to every area of the body, all day everyday for bodies that large is usually way too much work for a muscle (the heart) that small.
How & why
Your heart may need some help.
The heart pumps blood to all parts of the body. The blood carries nutrients to various organs and cells. We get everything we need to survive in the blood. Therefore, it goes without saying that we want our blood-heart connection to be in perfect condition.
There are three things to consider here:
The heart – strength and therefore the ability to pump as much blood as needed for a long, long time (say up to 100 years!).
The blood vessels (veins and arteries) – channels through which blood flows must maintain elasticity, and allow free flow. When they stiffen or become hardened with fatty deposits and arterial plaque (arteriosclerosis), hypertension results. Finally, the blood – volume and viscosity (which varies with physical condition and age) of the blood affects the entire mechanism.
Blood pressure is all about the heart. If the heart pumps blood to the entire body, you are generally okay. But it is not that easy for the heart. It has to fight against clogged arteries that work against it. When arteries obstruct free blood flow due to arterial plaque, there is more pressure on the heart to pump blood leading to high BP. A supplement comprising powerful blend of vitamins and minerals called Mega-Chel is effective in clearing up arterial plaque.
Coupled with lack of exercise, the heart becomes weaker and is less effective at its job. Our herb of the month, Hawthorn is the best in the business of heart muscle development. There is also the problem of blood viscosity. Thick blood is obviously “heavier” to pump than thin blood. This is why blood types A and B with thicker bloods are more prone to hypertension (high blood pressure). The thicker the blood; the more work the heart d has to perform.
Translation: blood and arterial conditions mount an attrition on the heart.
Other factors that elevate BP levels include fluid retention (edema), stress, toxicity of the liver and lymphatic system, heavy metal contamination, lack of exercise, poor diet, excess weight, and syndrome X (or hyperinsulinemia). Edema can be addressed with herbs like Cornsilk, Parsley, and Hawthorn. Some stress-reducing herbs are Ginseng, Astragalus, and Passion Flower (see more on stress and weight management).
See helpful tips to deal with high blood pressure here.
On the flip side, low blood pressure can also be a serious condition. It may result in fatigue, fainting or dizziness. It can be caused by slow circulation, low thyroid function, blood loss, dehydration, mineral imbalance, or slow circulation. Blood pressure, high or low, can be deadly. A frequent BP check would not be unnecessary, though medical professionals advocate a BP check of once a year, for normal range BP; more frequently as required by your doctor.