There's a 50% chance that you have blood pressure.
According to the American Heart
Association and American College of Cardiology new guidelines to determine a
high blood pressure diagnosis were revealed.
Previous cutoffs for normal reading were 140/90
(systolic/diastolic). Now, the redefined
readings are 130/80. This new standard
will increase the percentage of Americans with hypertension from 32 percent to
46 percent, almost half of the population with a triple number of increase of men
under 45 and double of women at the same age.
New High Blood Pressure Standards
The following represents categories of high blood pressure which
will require treatment protocol.
• Normal. A top number less than 120 and a bottom number
less than 80.
• Elevated. A top number between 120 and 129, and a bottom number less than 80.
• Stage 1. A top number between 130 and 139, or a bottom number between 80 and 89.
• Stage 2. A top number of 140 or higher, or a bottom number of 90 or higher.
• Hypertensive crisis. A top number over 180 or a bottom number over 120.
• Elevated. A top number between 120 and 129, and a bottom number less than 80.
• Stage 1. A top number between 130 and 139, or a bottom number between 80 and 89.
• Stage 2. A top number of 140 or higher, or a bottom number of 90 or higher.
• Hypertensive crisis. A top number over 180 or a bottom number over 120.
By the way, if you’re at the doctor’s
with a reading from the “hypertensive crisis” category, you’ll be whisked away
to the nearest hospital for treatment.
Just because this condition was
officially added to your otherwise clean bill of health, the good news is that
medications will not be prescribed.
Instead, you’ll be handed a list of “Things to Do” that include a diet
consisting of more fruits and vegetables, exercise and stress free
existence
Alright, sounds fair enough,
especially when you’re a fast food junkie that owns a hardly used club card and
enjoys healthy doses of fine wines, brew and exotic drinks to offset bad days
at work.
In my last post, I wrote about a
company that implemented Lean Six Sigma methodologies to their operations and
experienced small gains arguing that the time, money and energies were not
worth the effort. However, management
rebutted that had they not implement the polices, the company would’ve suffered
irreconcilable losses.
Doctors will encourage and motivate
their patients to make lifestyle changes to beat the war against high blood
pressure.
Fine time to face this dilemma at the
end of the year when stress is endemic during the “tis the time to be merry,”
when time is at a premium and diet consisting of the worst (but best tasting)
foods. Of course, during the last months
of the year, you might catch a Zumba class or two, but consistent? It’ll have to wait till the new year starts,
right?
Your doctor asks what your plans are,
and you ask, “Can I wait till January?”
Obviously, we’ve stumbled upon news
that none of us want to hear. When we
feel that we’ve done all we can to be heart healthy, we have another thing to
worry about.
How many of us want to change habits
at the end of a year when we’ve got so many other thoughts in our minds?
Tai Chi?
Tai Chi could be a reasonable
answer.
At the end of this post, I listed
several of many references and links on how this ancient exercise not only
helps cardiovascular patients, but indicate significant drops in blood pressure
readings. And I’m sure your doctor will be happy to hear that you’ve decided to
take a holistic and organic approach to self-healing, instead of being
prescribed pills with names like “losartan” “amlodipine” “metformin” and “’lisinopril.”
On another note, I, myself, was diagnosed with hypertension when I turned 50. It was pretty bad and now its controlled with medication; however, with the new standards, I fall in the Stage I category. My readings are in the 128/85 range which my doctor loved. Though I've measured readings in the 116/75 ranges, on occasions, I've had readings in the 135 over 90 range when I've had too much coffee or watch network news (bad habits).
I basically quit gym workouts and resume tai chi training that I learned and sporadically practiced since the mid-1970's.
How to Start?
How many schools, where you live, that
can provide the needed workout in a harried and busy schedule, to a person who has never done it before, know nothing about the practice except seeing old Asian people at the park in their 90's slowly moving to the rhythms of nature.
Of course, I promote Tai Chi because
I practice it daily and instruct it, but you don’t have to take my classes since the answer, really,
is in the Internet and YouTube.
In my blog/website, for example, I
have links that take you to easy to do, in the privacy of your home, workouts
that you can do anytime of the day at no cost. (see Tai Chi Link).
Also, I highly recommend you picking
up Robert Maurer, PhD, book, One Small Step Can Change Your Life: The Kaizen
Way.
It’s a quick and easy book to read on
how you can accomplish any goals by taking small and reasonable steps. For example, if you want to lose weight, one
small step would be for you to eat one less spoonful from your plate. Is this reasonable? Yes.
Can it be done in a busy schedule?
Yes.
So crazy news in crazy times do not have to add other burdens, however, they should not be ignored.
When medical associations like the American Heart Association and American College of
Cardiology announce something like this, it’s backed by years of clinical trials,
study and research.
No one should ignore
this, but it should not be another form of stress (see http://babyboomersensei.blogspot.com/2017/01/stress.html).
Let’s take this news in stride and, still, be well.
Ref:
Levine,
Hallie, “What the New Blood Pressure Guidelines Mean
for You - Two leading health groups
just lowered the cutoff for hypertension—but that doesn't mean more people need
drugs” November 13, 2017, https://www.consumerreports.org/high-blood-pressure/new-blood-pressure-guidelines/
Harvard Heart Letter, Tai chi: A gentle exercise
that may help heal your heart Described as "meditation in motion,"
tai chi may foster a sense of relaxation that helps lower stress levels.
Published: August, 2015, https://www.health.harvard.edu/exercise-and-fitness/tai-chi-a-gentle-exercise-that-may-help-heal-your-heart
Harrison, Laird, Tai Chi Resembles Drugs,
Aerobics in Blood Pressure Lowering, Medscape, June 01, 2016,
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/864177
