Random Questions Flashcards
What does it mean if I have low blood pressure?
Low blood pressure is not necessarily a bad thing, however one should watch for symptoms such as fainting, dizziness, lightheadedness, dehydration, blurred vision, nausea, etc. If this happens, see a doctor.
What are water pills?
Water pills are a diuretic - they remove excess fluids from the body when the body is retaining water. Often used to lower/regulate high blood pressure
Why do my pills make me tired?
This is a very common side effect of medications, especially in medications trying to lower blood pressure. Exercise may help, however you should talk to your doctor for concerns.
Why can’t I have salt if my blood pressure is high?
Salt increases water retention, which increases blood pressure. Water pills can help flush your system and lower blood pressure. However, excess sodium in the diet can cause hypertension, putting excess strain on the kidneys and heart and therefore increase the chances of heart disease or stroke.
Why can high blood pressure cause a heart attack?
When the heart has to work extra hard against increased pressure, it can wear out under the strain and eventually give out.
How do I know if I have high blood pressure?
Having your blood pressure checked regularly is the best thing to do. There can be a few symptoms such as lightheadedness and dizziness, however high blood pressure is often called the “silent killer” because of the lack of symptoms present.
Why does smoking lead to high blood pressure?
The purpose of your lungs is to deliver oxygen to the body. When you smoke, your body gets less oxygen and actually gets some carbon monoxide, which can have detrimental effects on your BP, back pain, and total body functioning. Smoking increases your HR and causes the heart to work harder against the harmful chemicals.
How can I prevent high blood pressure?
If you know you have a family history of high blood pressure, you should regularly have it checked. Preventative measures include exercise, balanced diet, stress reduction, etc.
How can high blood pressure lead to stroke?
High blood pressure weakens the blood vessels to the brain. This could cause them to rupture under the strain or cause a blockage leading to stroke.
What is blood pressure?
Blood pressure is the measure of force exerted against the walls of your blood vessels.
High body fat percentage- what does that mean?
Your body fat percentage measures the amount of fat mass you have stored versus lean or fat free mass (muscle, bone, water, organs, etc). This measurement is a good indication of fitness. No matter what you weigh, the higher your body fat, the more at risk you are for developing diseases such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and stroke.
What is the waist to hip ratio measurement for?
This measurement is primarily to determine where you store your fat. People are “Apple-shaped” or “pear-shaped”. Apple shaped means that the fat is stored mainly in the abdomen, which puts you at higher risk for metabolic disease. Pear shaped indicates that the fat is stored in the hips, which is what we want. We divide the waist measurement by the hip measurement and compare that number to the standards.
What is metabolic disease?
It is a cluster of conditions - high BP, high blood sugar levels, excess body fat stored in the abdomen, and high cholesterol levels. These can occur together and increase your risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
What are LDLs?
LDLs are low density lipoproteins. They are essentially bad cholesterol. It can contribute to the clogging of your arteries by depositing cholesterol on the walls of your arteries and lead to heart attack or stroke.
What are HDLs?
HDLs are high density lipoproteins. It is essentially good cholesterol. HDLs hang on tightly to cholesterol and won’t let it attach itself to the artery walls, it may even help collect some cholesterol that may be attached to the walls already, reducing buildup and decreasing chance of further issues. HDLs help cholesterol move safely throughout the body.
