How Do You Check Your Blood Pressure With Fingers?

If left untreated, high blood pressure greatly increases the risk of heart attack, kidney failure, and stroke.

Hypertension or high blood pressure is a condition in which the constant force of the blood against blood walls or artery walls is high enough that it may eventually cause health problems. High blood pressure results from the tightening of narrow arteries called arterioles. Arterioles regulate blood flow throughout the body. When these arterioles tighten, the heart has to work harder to pump blood through the smaller space and the pressure inside the vessels grows resulting in various heart diseases. Hypertension is known as "the silent killer" because many people do not even know they have the condition. If left untreated, high blood pressure greatly increases the risk of heart attack, kidney failure, and stroke. The sign and symptoms of hypertension may include

• Asymptomatic (no symptoms)
• Severe headaches
• Fatigue
• Confusion
• Pounding in the chest, neck, or ears
• Dizziness
• Sweating
• Chest pain
• Vision problems
• Trouble sleeping

Apart from these common symptoms, a few rare symptoms are

• Nosebleed
• Nausea and vomiting
• Difficulty breathing
• Irregular heartbeat
• Blood in the urine
• Nervousness
• Facial flushing
• Bloody spots in the white of the eyes

To have low blood pressure is not always a concern. However, severe hypotension can cause a lack of blood flow to the brain, causing dizziness, blackouts or loss of consciousness, and may even be life-threatening in severe cases. Low blood pressure or hypotension is a condition where the systolic and diastolic pressure falls below 90 and 60 mmHg, respectively. Normal blood pressure is 120 and 80 mmHg. Systolic pressure is the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats and fills them with blood. Diastolic pressure is the pressure in the arteries when the heart rests between beats. Usually, low blood pressure is a sign of underlying or age-related medical conditions. It is necessary to pay attention to the signs and symptoms of low blood pressure in its initial stages. The symptoms of low blood pressure include

• Light-headedness or dizziness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Tiredness or weakness
• Cold sweaty skin
• Palpitations
• Shallow and rapid breathing
• Confusion or mental fog
• Loss of consciousness, concussion
• Weak pulse
• Stiff neck
• Pale skin
• Convulsions

According to the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology, a person is considered to have high blood pressure if their blood pressure is consistently higher than 130/80. A few common diet tips and foods that help control blood pressure are

• Olive oil is packed with antioxidants and polyphenols that have various health benefits, including the reduction of blood pressure. Cooking vegetables in olive oil also allows the body to absorb fat-soluble vitamins K, A, D, and E.
• Flaxseeds are a powerful superfood when it comes to reducing hypertension. They contain α-linolenic acid, which is an essential omega-3 fatty acid that has been found to control blood pressure.
• Limiting salt in the diet is the best way to maintain kidney health. Keep daily salt consumption below 1,500 mg per day.
• Potassium-rich foods including spinach and bananas have been shown in studies to reduce blood pressure. Potassium helps the kidneys flush sodium out of the body. This can cause blood pressure to decrease. Some other high-potassium foods are melons, oranges, apricots, leafy green vegetables, tomatoes, potatoes, sweet potatoes, tuna, salmon, beans, nuts, seeds, Swiss chard, and white beans.
• Magnesium may help relax blood vessels, making it easier for blood to pass through. Foods rich in magnesium include vegetables, dairy, chicken, legumes, and whole grains.

Apart from these, limiting alcohol consumption and avoiding smoking is the best way to control blood pressure.