Weight Fitness

Blood Pressure – Your Questions Answered

July 17th, 2010 at 01:53pm Under Health

Blood pressure are words used quite often in the English language, but many of us don’t really understand what all the talk is about.

I’ll try to explain it in the easiest possible way. When you are finished with this post, you’ll have the answers to some of your questions.

The best place to start is at the beginning. We first need to understand…

What we are dealing with

We are dealing with the pressure, or strength, of our blood as it pushes on the walls of our arteries.  We measure it with the help of a couple of numbers that are displayed like: 134/79 (This is an actual reading).

The first and larger number let us know the amount of pressure within our arteries while our hearts are busy pumping out life giving blood with every beat. This number is known as ” Systolic”.

The second, and lower of the two numbers informs us of  the amount of pressure our hearts endure in a relaxed state – between beats. This is what is referred to as “Diastolic”.

Contrary to popular belief, our blood supply doesn’t flow constantly throughout our bodies. Instead, it makes it’s journey in  never ending pulses.

The blood’s force climaxes in our bodies as soon as a single beat is finished and diminishes as it prepares for the next. It never stops.

Is my blood pressure normal?

There are no absolute numbers as to what is considered normal, but many do agree that a reading  around 110/70 (read “one ten over seventy”) to 125/80 (“one twenty-five over eighty”) is average for an adult. As we age, the numbers climb and can still be considered in the normal range, but only your doctor can tell you for sure. No matter what, it’s always a good idea to keep a watchful eye on your readings.

What are the effects on our bodies?

Our hearts are under more stress placing us at higher risk for such issues as heart failure, stroke, and heart attacks. It can even be the cause of such problems as eye or kidney issues.

See your doctor regularly, reduce stress, take on a weight management plan, increase your fitness level, and watch your diet. All these thing will help you to keep high blood pressure out of your life.

By Paul Add comment

Health & Fitness: Why You Need It

March 18th, 2010 at 02:33am Under Health+ fitness

Everybody wants to have good health, but one of the main factors contributing to such a state is your fitness. Without fitness and exercise your health will suffer. In today’s world we are leading increasingly sedentary lifestyles. Many people now sit in front of a computer for 40 hours or more per week. You can only imagine the effect this takes on your body over the years.

But even if you don’t move around much at work you can make up for it when you aren’t working.

One of the main reasons people don’t exercise is because they simply think they don’t have time. However ‘being too busy’ should never be an excuse for not looking after your body.

Did you know that you can exercise for just 20 to 30 minutes per day and have that activity contribute to a huge number of health benefits? You can reduce the risk of having a heart attack or stroke, your risk of developing arthritis will be lowered and your overall self esteem and wellbeing will rise.

Some of the other major benefits of a health fitness routine include:

- Decreased chance of diabetes
- Weight loss: any type of exercise burns calories.
- Strengthens your immune system
- Lowers blood pressure
- Assists in blood circulation and detoxification
- Improves confidence and self esteem: Feel good hormones are released through exercise.
- Increases your energy: the more you exercise the more energetic you will be.
- Reduces your cholesterol
- Improves sleep: if you find yourself waking up tired each morning you will notice this subside when you exercise regularly.

“But I Don’t Like Exercising”
This is a common complain but one that can be alleviated through some creative thinking. You may not love running on the treadmill but do you enjoy tennis? Or basketball? Perhaps ice skating? These are all effective fitness activities.

Every single person needs good health and fitness provides the path to it. There should be no excuse for not doing just a few hours of exercise every week. You will be amazed at the difference it makes to your health and the way you feel.

By Paul