The UPs and DOWNs of Blood Pressure
The UPs and DOWNs of Blood Pressure
The Part your Doctor Left Out or you forgot!!
Does blood pressure have a daily pattern? Mayo Clinic has a summary that is perfect answer to this question.
Blood pressure is normally lower at night while you’re sleeping. Your blood pressure starts to rise a few hours before you wake up. Your blood pressure continues to rise during the day, usually peaking in the middle of the afternoon. Then in the late afternoon and evening, your blood pressure begins dropping again. Blood pressure is normally lower at night while you’re sleeping. Your blood pressure starts to rise a few hours before you wake up. Your blood pressure continues to rise during the day, usually peaking in the middle of the afternoon. Then in the late afternoon and evening, your blood pressure begins dropping again.
I strongly recommend you go to the article referenced in the link below since it will reinforce what your doctor has been telling you or needs to tell you. In addition, there are many issues that will keep you wondering what is going on!! Many times, it is what we do to our body or a condition that prevents control of your blood pressure. My friends at Mayo Clinic point out there are personal risk factors that affect your pressures which are personal issues:
- Too much stress
- Night-shift work
- Tobacco use
- Anxiety causing you to forget to take medications
You tell your doctor about these risk factors. Blood pressure is sometimes difficult to control, especially if your doctor is unaware of your particular risk factors.
Common medical conditions that make controlling blood pressures difficult are well known to us practitioners. Some that are very prevalent in truckers.
- Diabetes
- Nicotine
- Sleep Apnea
- Heart disease.
- Peripheral Vascular disease
- Obesity with BMI over 32
- Morbid obesity BMI over 42
Sudden high blood pressure can also be brought on by daily activities and practices.
- Over-the-counter pain relievers, a combination of various medications, and abuse of cocaine and marijuana can spike blood pressure levels
- Smoking can cause a sudden increase in blood pressure as the chemicals they contain and produce, including nicotine, damage the linings of our blood vessels
- Diet habits are critical to maintaining normal blood pressure levels as the bad fat and sodium found in many foods increase the blood solute content. This can also build up and block the blood vessels, leading to major heart trouble such as a stroke.
- Stress is part of our everyday life and becoming anxious and worried can increase risk for spikes in blood pressure twofold.
- Medical conditions like kidney disease, spinal injuries, adrenal gland tumors, thyroid issues, and scleroderma can raise blood pressure rapidly.
Now let’s talk about why your blood pressure was up randomly at 10 AM and 4 PM or just when you see you doctor. Oh, and you just had 2 cups of coffee, smoked two cigarettes, and have a dip or chew going? These are just of few things truckers do that increases blood pressure. There are more to add to the list. My advice is to take the time to search the web for articles; inform yourself on the dangers of each. It won’t take you much time and may save your life. Here are some others:
- Salt intake on your food and in packaged and especially canned foods.
- Blood pressure meds that are short acting
- Caffeine
- Tobacco in any form; leading cause of strokes and heart attacks
- Energy drinks
- Stress factors – not planning your day and rushing around because you are late, especially to see the doctor. “Always get your most hated task out of the way first. The rest of your day will be much easier and your body will thank you.” Quote Michael Burns Nemo Radio
- Alcohol the night before or the day of your appointment. Or if you are a binge drinker or Alcoholic
- Last but not least is “White Coat Hypertension. 1st prepare for you Day!!! Now here is what the Fed says about this topic:
“White coat hypertension has been defined as the persistent elevation of blood pressure at the clinic or office only. It usually implies that daily ambulatory blood pressure is normal. The accepted cutoff for normal daytime ambulatory blood pressure is 135/85 mm Hg. The prevalence of white coat hypertension is high and varies from 20% to 45%. It appears to be more frequent in women, older patients, and persons with mild hypertension. White coat hypertension should not be confused with the white coat effect. The white coat effect signifies the difference in blood pressure between the office and daytime ambulatory blood pressure and occurs in patients with white coat hypertension as well as in patients with sustained hypertension that is treated or untreated. White coat hypertension is a benign condition, and the incidence of target-organ damage or cardiovascular morbidity and death is not significantly different from that in normotensive persons. Pharmacologic treatment should be withheld; instead, treatment should consist of lifestyle modification, moderate salt restriction, weight reduction, regular exercise, smoking cessation, and correction of glucose and lipid abnormalities. In addition, semiannual or annual follow-up with ambulatory blood pressure monitoring is advised.”
Sudden high blood pressure can also be brought on by daily activities and practices.
- Medication use such as over-the-counter pain relievers, a combination of various medications, and abuse of cocaine and marijuana can spike blood pressure levels.
- Diet habits are critical to maintaining normal blood pressure levels as the bad fat and sodium found in many foods increase the blood solute content (the junk you eat mixed up in your blood). Solute also can build up and block the blood vessels, leading to major heart trouble such as a stroke.
- Dr. John Tip of the Day: Eat lots of fiber to help maintain lower blood pressure levels.
Now let’s go over this again so you will remember.
- Get enough sleep. Inadequate or poor-quality sleep can negatively affect your mood, mental alertness, energy level, and physical health.
- Learn relaxation techniques. Meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery, deep breathing exercises, and yoga are powerful stress-busters.
- Strengthen your social network. Connect with others by taking a class, joining an organization, or participating in a support group.
- Hone your time-management skills. The more efficiently you can juggle work and family demands, the lower your stress level.
- Try to resolve stressful situations if you can. Don’t let stressful situations fester. Hold family problem-solving sessions and use negotiation skills at home and at work.
- Nurture yourself. Treat yourself to a massage. Truly savor an experience: for example, eat slowly and really focus on the taste and sensations of each bite. Take a walk or a nap, or listen to your favorite music.
- Ask for help. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from your spouse, friends, and neighbors. If stress and anxiety persist, talk to your doctor.
Here is the bad news. High blood pressure can also cause erectile dysfunction. Now the really bad part! Erectile dysfunction can be one of the first signs of coronary disease. Now the really, really bad part. Over use of your ED medication can bring on cardiac issues including heart attacks.
Dr. John says: lose weight; cut back on the obvious stimulants (caffeine and tobacco), be careful about the kinds of foods you eat, and exercise regularly. Change your daily habits and you will live longer and enjoy better health.
http://www.saga.co.uk/magazine/health-wellbeing/conditions/cardiovascular/high-blood-pressure-causes
http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/tc/high-blood-pressure-hypertension-overview#1
https://www.allegiancehealth.org/wellness/article/889638
Quitting Tobacco Can Help Lower High Blood Pressure – LHSFNA
https://www.lhsfna.org/index…/quitting-tobacco-can-help-lower-high-blood-pressure/
http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/erectile-dysfunction-treatments#1
