You Only Have One Heart

Let's face it folks. We are not getting any younger anytime
EVER! As important as it is to start saving for
retirement, or live a comfortable retired life, it's just
as important to be healthy to even enjoy retirement, no
matter what age. What keeps you alive everyday, besides
seeing your loved ones, or enjoying living another day? One
word. Health.

Are you going to the doctor for regular checkups? Our
health is much more important than we realize, and our
stubbornness, forgetfulness, or even downright neglect
towards your health is a bad move. Many people don't
realize that a simple checkup procedure can save your life.
What's this little checkup procedure? Well.it's your blood
pressure.

DID YOU KNOW?

According to The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute,
high blood pressure, or hypertension, affects OVER 65
million Americans. Breaking it down, that's one out of
every three adults.

If this has gotten your attention, keep reading! This
'silent killer' (nickname derived from having no extreme
obvious symptoms) can lead to unhealthy, more dangerous
conditions, such as:

§ Aneurysms (formation of tiny bulges) in your blood
vessels - the most common locations are found in the aorta
(main artery from the heart), brain arteries, legs, and
artery leading towards the spleen.

§ Possible kidney failure, due to your blood vessels
narrowing.

§ Heart failure, due to heart enlargement.

§ Rapid hardening of arteries due to the heart working
overtime to pump blood - this can cause heart attacks,
strokes, and kidney failure.

§ Blood vessels in the eyes may burst or bleed which causes
vision changes and/or blindness

This is obviously something you don't want to mess with.

WHAT IS NORMAL BLOOD PRESSURE?

Normal blood pressure is determined by two number factors.
The first is called systolic pressure, measured when the
heart contracts, and the second number is called the
diastolic pressure, measured when the heart is resting. A
healthy blood pressure checkup will be 120/80 or less.

Here's a question with answers we've heard repeatedly. How
can you prevent or maintain a healthy blood pressure?
Simple:

§ Maintain a healthy weight

§ Maintain healthy eating habits, which in turn will create
a healthy lifestyle

§ Less sodium intake will have significant positive
effects, and lastly,

§ Tripeptides (trĭ - PĔP - tîdes), or special
milk proteins researched by scientists. Clinical studies
have shown that those who took tripeptides noticed a
significant decrease in blood pressure. This gives new hope
for Americans. Why? Because it has the natural ability to
reduce the angiotensin converting enzymes (the common cause
of high blood pressure.)

Now earlier, I mentioned that the symptoms are close to
none when experiencing hypertension. But what are the
symptoms of untreated hypertension??

§ Headaches are severe § Fatigue or confusion § Vision
problems § Chest pain § Breathing is difficult § Irregular
heartbeat § Blood in the urine

Is there hope? I'd say so. I also say take the time be
examined.there are many people who refuse to go get their
blood pressure checked, or just plain mistaken by the
'it-won't-happen-to-me' syndrome - it takes a mere 60
seconds or less! This literally could be the difference
between life and death.

Sources: www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart
www.webmd.com/diseases_and_conditions/hypertension.htm

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Lakeisha Ford is a proud military wife and stay-at-home
mother of three children. She is a student with the
University of Maryland, and has a home business with The
M.O.M. Team/C.E.O. Network. Lakeisha enjoys reading and
helping others live a better life while promoting health
and wellness. She and her family are currently residing in
Germany. For more information on enhancing your life for
the better, visit: http://www.MomsDreamAReality.com and
'Get More Info'.