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How One Can Lower Systolic Pressure without Lowering Diastolic Pressure
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Blood pressure is measured in two numbers; the systolic and the diastolic.
Systolic number is the reading of the pressure exerted on the walls of your blood vessels when the
heart is pumping. Diastolic reading is the pressure of the blood on the artery walls when the heart
is between beats. People whose blood pressure is high will usually have high levels of both
systolic and diastolic. However, there are some cases where a person has a high systolic level but
a normal or low diastolic level. This condition is called isolated systolic hypertension and is
treated by lowering the systolic without further decreasing diastolic level.
Determining the cause of isolated systolic hypertension is crucial before any
dietary changes or exercise is recommended. Hence, get a thorough check up from a medical
specialist. Its underlying causes may be a leaky heart valve or an overactive thyroid gland.
If your systolic hypertension is not caused by any heart condition, you can
exercise to get your heart in a good condition. A stronger heart can pump more blood with less
force, thus lowering the systolic level. Moderate to vigorous exercise of 30 minutes at least five
times a week is recommended by the American Heart Association for a fit heart.
Your doctor can also prescribe special medicines that work at lowering systolic
level without affecting the diastolic if your heart is not strong enough to perform cardio
activity. Thiazide diuretics, for example Saluron and Trichlorex, and calcium antagonists such as
Norvasc and Procardia are two of the best classes of drugs used for this purpose. These drugs were
also recommended by a 2001 study published in Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation. Drugs that
strengthen the heart, like Digitalis, are also beneficial in isolated systolic hypertension. Such
drugs toughen the heart contractions and allow the heart to exert less force to pump the same
amount of blood, therefore, decreasing systolic pressure.
In order to bring your systolic blood pressure with in normal range, it is also
necessary to reduce stress from your life. Your blood vessels become tensed when you are anxious,
worried or irritated by something. You will know about the things that relax you. Try doing them
when you are worried or tensed whether it is listening to music or taking a walk in the garden.
When your body is relaxed and at peace, you blood pressure will also return to normal.
Exercise and relaxation techniques will not lower your systolic blood pressure
if your diet is not changed accordingly. Base you diet on the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop
Hypertension). This approach is based on studies done at the National Heart, Lung and Blood
Institute. According to DASH, your meals should be low in sodium because it causes the body to
retain fluid and makes the kidneys work harder. Resultantly, blood has more volume and the heart is
forced to pump harder.
Furthermore, people who are trying to lower their systolic pressure should eat
food that is rich in potassium, magnesium and calcium as these are good for maintaining blood
pressure and prevent cholesterol build up in the arteries. Eat lots of fruit and vegetable, whole
grains, poultry and fish. Stay away from fatty foods as these are not healthy for blood pressure
levels.
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