There are no healthy high blood pressures because even a small increase in pressure readings can lead to strokes and heart disease. Historically a healthy blood pressure reading was considered 120/80, however according to The National Heart Association; readings above 117 systolic and 76 diastolic, or 117 over 76 are prehypertensive. Prehypertension is the precursor to high blood pressure. Hypertension contributes to kidney dysfunction, chronic medical conditions and shortens life expectancy, notes The National Heart Association website.
Understanding Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is the amount of pressure in the blood as the heart beats and the same pressure of the blood in the heart valves as it rests, as reported by The Heart, Blood and Lung Institute. The prehypertensive state of 120 over 80 warns the body that the pressure in the heart is widening blood vessels and overworking the muscles of the heart. When a person overworks their muscles, they may have cramps and soreness, but the heart muscle pressure wears the muscle out before its time.
How High is Too High
The American Nursing Association website notes that when blood pressure rises in individuals aged 40 to 70 years, the risk of heart attack or stroke doubles. The Nursing Association gathered their statistics from the study titled," The Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure." The study indicates that even a 10 point increase in the bottom number of the blood pressure reading or the number that determines the hearts pressure while at rest, is a significant determining factor in heart disease.
What's Healthy and What's Not
The American Nursing Association reports that the human heart beats approximately 100,000 times per day. This provides the heart with 100,000 opportunities each day to damage the blood vessels in the eyes, heart, brain and kidneys. Unfortunately, the only healthy blood pressure is the one that reduces the pressure on the heart and blood vessels.
The American Heart Association lists blood pressure less than 120 over less than 80, a normal pressure. Prehypertension is considered 120 to 139 over 80 to 90. High blood pressure or Stage 1, hypertension ranges from 140 to 159 over 90 to 99. High blood pressure, Stage 2, hypertension is 160 or higher over 100 or higher. AHA warns that hypertensive crisis occurs at systolic pressures higher than 180 over diastolic pressures of higher than 110 and require emergency care.
Treatment
According to a study from the University of California, Irvine, Dr. Longhurst, the study's lead researcher found that acupuncture helps lower blood pressure by as much as 50 percent as seen in laboratory rats. Although insufficient studies exist on the efficacy of acupuncture to treat high blood pressure, the recent study suggests that acupuncture may compliment other medical treatments.
The study indicates that acupuncture may release chemicals in the brain that reduce the pressure response of the cardiovascular system. This reduction in heart activity also decreases the hearts need for additional oxygen in the blood that lowers blood pressure. The University of California research notes that acupuncture could provide additional healing tools for heart attacks and hypertension.
Misconceptions
The American Nursing Association debunks some blood pressure myths. There is nothing to worry about because people do not die from high blood pressure. Actually, the ANA notes that the national average shows that one in every two Americans die from high blood pressure. Another myth is that a few point increases in blood pressure numbers really makes little difference. However, the Association notes that even a small elevation in blood pressure significantly increases the risk of heart attack. Small increases in blood pressure force stretching of blood vessels in our vital organs causing blood vessels and brain diseases.
