High Blood Pressure or hypertension has become one of the major problems of today’s society. For males, a reading of 120/80 is normal while females should have a slightly lower number.

Hypertension occurs when too much energy is being exerted by the heart in order to pump blood through the arteries. Typically, a reading of 140/90 will be considered suspicious by a physician. Any reading higher than that is considered clinical hypertension. The top number or systolic pressure is described as the amount of pressure in the arteries when the heart is in the middle of a contraction. The bottom number or diastolic pressure is described as the amount of pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest.

The diastolic is usually considered the most important; as this is the pressure the arteries are under when at rest. In a person with high blood pressure, the heart has to pump the blood through the circulatory system with greater force, resulting in added strain on the entire cardiovascular system.

The main cause of high blood pressure is still not yet known, however risk factors have been discovered; they include genetics, smoking, excessive alcohol use, drug abuse, stimulant use, obesity, poor diet and nutrition, high cholesterol, lack of stress management and sodium ingestion as well as narrowing of the blood vessels due to cholesterol and other fatty elements. In addition, research has shown that heart disease and hypertension are caused more by “unnaturally” produced oils and fats then “naturally” occurring oils and fats.

As of today, there have been no research studies conducted on the affects of refined unsaturated oils verses the effects of refined cold pressed unsaturated oils. Refined oils however do pose a greater risk as their molecular structure changes as it is subjected to the high temperatures of processing. Additionally, hydrogenated oils such as margarine also pose a threat as they interfere with the body’s fatty acid metabolism. Fatty acid deficiency is the number one known cause of high blood pressure.

High blood pressure is known as the “silent killer” because it does not display any signs or symptoms until it is in its advanced stage. By this time, it has already wreaked havoc on the body’s other organs causing irreversible and permanent damage.

Symptoms of advanced high blood pressure include dizziness, headache, rapid pulse, nervousness, irritability, energy loss, fatigue, insomnia, sweating, visual disturbances and frequent nosebleeds. Later symptoms include hypertensive heart disease with enlarged heart and possible left ventricular failure, myocardial infarction, possible senility, cerebral hemorrhage, paralysis and death.

High blood pressure patients should see their doctor every six months at least in order to have the disease monitored. If the disease is prolonged, other organs in the body can be affected. For example, kidneys become weakened, thus resulting in renal failure which then requires weekly dialysis or blood filtering treatments.

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