 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
Longer Hours at Work can Lead to More of a Risk of High Blood Pressure.
According to Dr. Dean Baker, director of the University of California, Irvine's Center for Occupational and
Environmental Health, and lead author of the report in the September issue of Hypertension, longer hours at word
can lead to more of a risk of high blood pressure.
"Other studies have focused on job stress, we focused on long work hours," said Baker said that focus was possible
because the study relied on a mass of data from a 2001 survey of more than 55,000 California households. "It gave
us the statistical power to control for lots of causes of high blood pressure," he said.
Researchers say that they have found an interesting association between working more hours and self-reported
high blood pressure.
People who worked 40 hours a week were 14 percent more likely to say they had high blood pressure than those
working 11 to 19 hours weekly. For those working 41 to 50 hours a week, the incidence was 17 percent higher.
"We found the type of occupation was independently significant," Baker added. "Clerical workers and unskilled
workers had more high blood pressure than those in the professions."
Some cases of HBP are caused by other illnesses.
This kind of hypertension is called secondary hypertension, and it is often cured once the original medical problem
is cured. Most high blood pressure, however, is essential or primary hypertension. This kind cannot be cured but can
be kept under control by regular, ongoing treatment.
Hypertension can be caused by multiple factors. Being overweight, drinking too much alcohol, and eating too much
salt are risk factors because they raise your risk of having HBP. They do not cause it directly.
Blood pressure goes up in all people during periods of stress or exercise. But avoiding stress will not prevent high
blood pressure. You can have HBP even though you are usually a calm-natured person.
According to Dr. Dean Baker, director of the University of California, Irvine's Center for Occupational and
Environmental Health, and lead author of the report in the September issue of Hypertension, longer hours at word
can lead to more of a risk of high blood pressure.
"Other studies have focused on job stress, we focused on long work hours," said Baker said that focus was possible
because the study relied on a mass of data from a 2001 survey of more than 55,000 California households. "It gave
us the statistical power to control for lots of causes of high blood pressure," he said.
Researchers say that they have found an interesting association between working more hours and self-reported
high blood pressure.
People who worked 40 hours a week were 14 percent more likely to say they had high blood pressure than those
working 11 to 19 hours weekly. For those working 41 to 50 hours a week, the incidence was 17 percent higher.
"We found the type of occupation was independently significant," Baker added. "Clerical workers and unskilled
workers had more high blood pressure than those in the professions."
Some cases of HBP are caused by other illnesses.
This kind of hypertension is called secondary hypertension, and it is often cured once the original medical problem
is cured. Most high blood pressure, however, is essential or primary hypertension. This kind cannot be cured but can
be kept under control by regular, ongoing treatment.
Hypertension can be caused by multiple factors. Being overweight, drinking too much alcohol, and eating too much
salt are risk factors because they raise your risk of having HBP. They do not cause it directly.
Blood pressure goes up in all people during periods of stress or exercise. But avoiding stress will not prevent high
blood pressure. You can have HBP even though you are usually a calm-natured person.
| Blood Pressure Facts |
Some people are very lucky and salt does not directly affect their blood pressure. For others, they must limit the salt in
their diet each day to less than 2,400 mg. – this is about 1 level teaspoon of salt.
For someone with high blood pressure, doctors may advise eating less salt and sodium. Salt has been linked to
increased blood pressure, so reducing salt in your diet can help some people lower their blood pressure. This can
also be beneficial for people already on blood pressure medication—even though they are taking medication, reducing
salt can lower their numbers even more and reduce the need for medicine.
Still not convinced? Think of it in another way. The excess salt is held in the water level of your body. Your kidneys are
responsible for regulating the salt and water levels in your blood. When the level of salt and water gets too high in your
body, your kidneys must work harder to remove the excess from your blood. This makes your heart pump harder and
this can make your blood pressure go up.
When you look at the bigger picture, you can see how each action relates to the other. Even if you do not have high
blood pressure now, it is still beneficial to reduce your salt intake. You never know when you may learn that you have
this silent disease.
their diet each day to less than 2,400 mg. – this is about 1 level teaspoon of salt.
For someone with high blood pressure, doctors may advise eating less salt and sodium. Salt has been linked to
increased blood pressure, so reducing salt in your diet can help some people lower their blood pressure. This can
also be beneficial for people already on blood pressure medication—even though they are taking medication, reducing
salt can lower their numbers even more and reduce the need for medicine.
Still not convinced? Think of it in another way. The excess salt is held in the water level of your body. Your kidneys are
responsible for regulating the salt and water levels in your blood. When the level of salt and water gets too high in your
body, your kidneys must work harder to remove the excess from your blood. This makes your heart pump harder and
this can make your blood pressure go up.
When you look at the bigger picture, you can see how each action relates to the other. Even if you do not have high
blood pressure now, it is still beneficial to reduce your salt intake. You never know when you may learn that you have
this silent disease.
Causes of Hypertension
Ever wonder ‘why’ you have high blood pressure or hypertension? Well, most people have a condition called "essential
hypertension," meaning that no identifiable cause can be found for their condition. It is believed that environment and
lifestyle are major factors to the development of this condition.
Essential hypertension is difficult to diagnose because there is no obvious reason why a person’s blood pressure is
so high. The patient and doctor have to figure out what the possible causes are. Today, most high blood pressure is
caused by a number of factors that are under our direct control. These conditions include a sedentary lifestyle,
smoking, weight gain, alcohol, bad eating habits and stress.
Genetics, ethnicity and gender may also play a big part. The causes of hypertension are hard to pin down as they may
differ from person to person. One individual may thrive in a stressful environment while another person will develop
hypertension. The only clearly defined causes that have been identified are our diet. People now eat many meals in
restaurants where they consuming extremely large portions of food that are high in fat content and salt.
The causes of hypertension are hard to pin down and are different for each person. Make a conscious decision
regarding your health and how you are going to take care of your body. Eat a healthy diet, exercise and get enough
rest—while this will not ensure that you never get hypertension, it will not hurt you in the long run.
Ever wonder ‘why’ you have high blood pressure or hypertension? Well, most people have a condition called "essential
hypertension," meaning that no identifiable cause can be found for their condition. It is believed that environment and
lifestyle are major factors to the development of this condition.
Essential hypertension is difficult to diagnose because there is no obvious reason why a person’s blood pressure is
so high. The patient and doctor have to figure out what the possible causes are. Today, most high blood pressure is
caused by a number of factors that are under our direct control. These conditions include a sedentary lifestyle,
smoking, weight gain, alcohol, bad eating habits and stress.
Genetics, ethnicity and gender may also play a big part. The causes of hypertension are hard to pin down as they may
differ from person to person. One individual may thrive in a stressful environment while another person will develop
hypertension. The only clearly defined causes that have been identified are our diet. People now eat many meals in
restaurants where they consuming extremely large portions of food that are high in fat content and salt.
The causes of hypertension are hard to pin down and are different for each person. Make a conscious decision
regarding your health and how you are going to take care of your body. Eat a healthy diet, exercise and get enough
rest—while this will not ensure that you never get hypertension, it will not hurt you in the long run.
Caffeine and Blood Pressure
How does caffeine affect your blood pressure? For individuals with high-normal blood pressure or diagnosed
hypertension, caffeine seems to raise their levels to a much greater degree than those with normal readings. It has
been recommended that people with hypertension limit or eliminate caffeine from their diet.
In people with normal blood pressure, it appears that caffeine may cause a temporary increase. However, there is no
evidence that caffeine causes high blood pressure. Because of the temporary rise in blood pressure triggered by
caffeine in some people, it is recommended that you not have a cup of coffee just before a blood pressure test.
For people who cannot give up regular high caffeine coffee, decaffeinated coffee may serve as a suitable substitute. A
cup of decaffeinated coffee has a caffeine content of about 5 mg per 8 oz. cup (versus around 135 mg of caffeine for the
regular coffee).
Remember that caffeine comes in many different forms, coffee, tea, sodas, chocolate and it is even in many of the very
popular ‘power’ drinks. You may notice that some of these products are putting a warning on their labels that advise
that “this product may cause an increase in your blood pressure and pulse”.
If you cut all out all caffeine in one drastic swipe, your blood pressure is likely to spike again as the body processes the
sudden quick withdrawal. If you consume a lot of caffeine, cut back slowly and see how you feel. Your body will have to
adjust or withdrawal from the excessive amount of caffeine, but in the end, you will be much healthier.
How does caffeine affect your blood pressure? For individuals with high-normal blood pressure or diagnosed
hypertension, caffeine seems to raise their levels to a much greater degree than those with normal readings. It has
been recommended that people with hypertension limit or eliminate caffeine from their diet.
In people with normal blood pressure, it appears that caffeine may cause a temporary increase. However, there is no
evidence that caffeine causes high blood pressure. Because of the temporary rise in blood pressure triggered by
caffeine in some people, it is recommended that you not have a cup of coffee just before a blood pressure test.
For people who cannot give up regular high caffeine coffee, decaffeinated coffee may serve as a suitable substitute. A
cup of decaffeinated coffee has a caffeine content of about 5 mg per 8 oz. cup (versus around 135 mg of caffeine for the
regular coffee).
Remember that caffeine comes in many different forms, coffee, tea, sodas, chocolate and it is even in many of the very
popular ‘power’ drinks. You may notice that some of these products are putting a warning on their labels that advise
that “this product may cause an increase in your blood pressure and pulse”.
If you cut all out all caffeine in one drastic swipe, your blood pressure is likely to spike again as the body processes the
sudden quick withdrawal. If you consume a lot of caffeine, cut back slowly and see how you feel. Your body will have to
adjust or withdrawal from the excessive amount of caffeine, but in the end, you will be much healthier.
High Blood Pressure and Its Effects On the Heart (Side Effects)
What and how can high blood pressure affect the heart? Well, high blood pressure is the number one risk
factor for congestive heart failure and a major risk factor for heart attack. It has also been linked to strokes.
Very high blood pressure can cause a weakened blood vessel to break and bleed into the brain. In addition,
high blood pressure can narrow and thicken the small blood vessels of the kidney leading to kidney damage
and end-stage renal disease.
Many different types of medicine called antihypertensive medications can be used to treat high blood
pressure. Different drugs have different side effects for different people. Side effects of antihypertensive
drugs can include feeling dizzy when you stand up quickly, lower levels of potassium in your blood, cause
problems sleeping, make you drowsy, cause dry mouth, headaches, bloating, constipation and depression.
Talk to your family doctor about any changes you notice. If one medication does not work for you or causes
unpleasant side effects, you have other options. Let your doctor help you find the right medication for you. The
goal of medical treatment is to reduce your blood pressure to normal levels with medication that is easy to
take and has few, if any, side effects. This goal can almost always be met.
Do not think you have to live with high blood pressure and its consequences. You can successfully treat this
disease and have a long and productive life. It just takes a little planning and working with your family and
doctor to find the right diet, exercise and medication.
What and how can high blood pressure affect the heart? Well, high blood pressure is the number one risk
factor for congestive heart failure and a major risk factor for heart attack. It has also been linked to strokes.
Very high blood pressure can cause a weakened blood vessel to break and bleed into the brain. In addition,
high blood pressure can narrow and thicken the small blood vessels of the kidney leading to kidney damage
and end-stage renal disease.
Many different types of medicine called antihypertensive medications can be used to treat high blood
pressure. Different drugs have different side effects for different people. Side effects of antihypertensive
drugs can include feeling dizzy when you stand up quickly, lower levels of potassium in your blood, cause
problems sleeping, make you drowsy, cause dry mouth, headaches, bloating, constipation and depression.
Talk to your family doctor about any changes you notice. If one medication does not work for you or causes
unpleasant side effects, you have other options. Let your doctor help you find the right medication for you. The
goal of medical treatment is to reduce your blood pressure to normal levels with medication that is easy to
take and has few, if any, side effects. This goal can almost always be met.
Do not think you have to live with high blood pressure and its consequences. You can successfully treat this
disease and have a long and productive life. It just takes a little planning and working with your family and
doctor to find the right diet, exercise and medication.
Causes of High Blood Pressure
The Relationship Between Salt and High Blood Pressure
You know by now that salt is a major problem for people with high blood pressure. They try not using salt in their
foods when cooking. Unfortunately, it is not easy to reduce the amount of salt in your daily diet because it is hidden
in so many different foods.
You know by now that salt is a major problem for people with high blood pressure. They try not using salt in their
foods when cooking. Unfortunately, it is not easy to reduce the amount of salt in your daily diet because it is hidden
in so many different foods.
| Copyright 2008 ::Causes of High Blood Pressure |
BLOOD PRESSURE FACTS
Side Effects of Decaf Coffee (How Much is Too Much for Blood Pressure)
Coffee whether caffeinated or decaffeinated has been linked to increase of blood pressure within people who
drink more than 2 cups a day on a regular basis.
Decaf coffee also gives off more production of acids than the caffeinated counterparts. Chemicals which may
have effects on your blood pressure as well as other health problems include caffeol, diterpenes and acids
called chlorogenics. Many of these coffee companies also use dangerous ingredients within their coffee
production like acetate ethyl, formaldehyde and other solvents of organic compounds.
If you have high blood pressure and drink decaf coffee only a few times a week, then you are more than likely not
at a high risk. The trouble can happen with those who drink 3-4 cups a day on a regular basis.
Regular decaf coffee drinkers have more problems with indigestion, heartburn, reflux, pains associated with
arthritis worsening and nausea due to the higher acidity rates in decaf.
Even though everyone thinks decaf coffee is a much better option than caffeinated, it still offers up a few side
effects that should be noted by regular coffee drinkers.
Believe it or not, some decaf coffees have some levels of caffeine within them. These small doses are enough
at times to increase blood pressure, your hearts rate and cause anxiety as well.
Check the labels when buying decaf coffees within your stores and see what is included in the products
ingredients, this helps you be more aware of what is actually going into your body and your system. The same
goes for purchasing coffee regularly at coffee shops. Ask the manager what the ingredients of the coffee you
order contains to be on the safe side. If you have to have your daily cup of java, decaf is a much better option than
caffeinated, but only at 1 cup a day or 2 at the most.
Coffee whether caffeinated or decaffeinated has been linked to increase of blood pressure within people who
drink more than 2 cups a day on a regular basis.
Decaf coffee also gives off more production of acids than the caffeinated counterparts. Chemicals which may
have effects on your blood pressure as well as other health problems include caffeol, diterpenes and acids
called chlorogenics. Many of these coffee companies also use dangerous ingredients within their coffee
production like acetate ethyl, formaldehyde and other solvents of organic compounds.
If you have high blood pressure and drink decaf coffee only a few times a week, then you are more than likely not
at a high risk. The trouble can happen with those who drink 3-4 cups a day on a regular basis.
Regular decaf coffee drinkers have more problems with indigestion, heartburn, reflux, pains associated with
arthritis worsening and nausea due to the higher acidity rates in decaf.
Even though everyone thinks decaf coffee is a much better option than caffeinated, it still offers up a few side
effects that should be noted by regular coffee drinkers.
Believe it or not, some decaf coffees have some levels of caffeine within them. These small doses are enough
at times to increase blood pressure, your hearts rate and cause anxiety as well.
Check the labels when buying decaf coffees within your stores and see what is included in the products
ingredients, this helps you be more aware of what is actually going into your body and your system. The same
goes for purchasing coffee regularly at coffee shops. Ask the manager what the ingredients of the coffee you
order contains to be on the safe side. If you have to have your daily cup of java, decaf is a much better option than
caffeinated, but only at 1 cup a day or 2 at the most.