Hypertension and Stress: You Have to Take Control
by Empty Your Cup Relaxation Coach · Filed Under: General Updates · Other Health Problems
In the medical community, it’s called hypertension but most of us just call it high blood pressure. It’s a very serious condition that can lead to the #1 killer of men and women – a heart attack. The numbers speak for themselves:
Nearly one in three adults (33%) have high blood pressure.
Of those diagnosed with hypertension, 72% knew about their condition and the dangers it poses.
In the U.S., 72 million people over the age of 20 have high blood pressure – that means that young people, just starting out in life, are at risk of heart attack.
Blood pressure is easily diagnosed.
Death rates among various populations per 100,000 individuals: 15.6 in white males, 49.9 among black males, 14.3 for white females and 40.6 deaths per 100,000 were reported among black females.
What are the contributing factors to hypertension?
In addition, we all know the contributing factors of this well-publicized, life-threatening medical condition: obesity, lack of exercise, smoking, high levels of cholesterol in the blood and so on. The symptoms of high blood pressure are usually treated with different medicines, and patients are told to change their lifestyles for the healthier.
Is a lifestyle change enough?
Okay, when it comes to our own health, most of us can eat a healthier diet, walk around the block each morning, quit smoking and cut down on foods high in fat. However, a lifestyle change may not be enough to address one of the best-known causes of hypertension and heart attack – and that’s stress.
Stress is a natural, physiological reaction to perceived danger. And we live in a stress-filled world, working our way to the top, raising families and trying to have it all. Stress is a fact of contemporary life. Everything from the morning traffic jam to an unsatisfying marriage will create stress. And stress is corrosive, not only to the spirit but to the body, as well.
Is managing stress unachievable?
Managing stress in your life may seem like an unachievable goal but, indeed, you can lower levels of stress and, in turn, lower your blood pressure, lessening the likelihood of a heart attack down the road.
Is Stress Management necessary?
It’s difficult to avoid the stressors in life – the unreasonable boss, the guy who cuts you off, the stack of bills waiting to be paid – stressors are everywhere. Unavoidable, in fact. So, if you can’t avoid the things that trigger the natural stress response, it’s essential to learn to control your responses to stress and to manage the stress in your life just as you manage your time.
Does stress come from external or internal sources?
Stress comes from external sources. You internalize stress and it becomes a part of you. Managing stress involves breaking the cycle of stress inducing more stress. It may sound selfish, but quiet, contemplative time each day, alone, will do wonders for your heart health and your emotional health, as well.
Do you need to take time off?
Some people simply don’t allow themselves “time off,” so the stresses continue to build. By setting aside 20 minutes each day, just for you and you alone, you’ll feel better emotionally and be better physically.
How important is your short and long term health?
I know, it’s not as easy as it sounds but we are talking about your short- and long-term health. It’s true, people in their 20s experience hypertension. It’s a stress-filled world in which we live. Turning off the natural response to stress will go a long way in living a longer (and happier) life.
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Cecil McIntosh, The EYC™ Stress Relaxation Expert with 14 years of experience helping Entrepreneurs like you, stay focused, get more done and find more time, so that you can live in the moment. He is a published author of many audio Relaxation Programs using accelerated learning approaches and a Teacher, NLP Trainer and life Coach. You can reach Cecil at cecil.mcintosh@gmail.com
Got 20 minutes to learn how to attack hypertension? OR ** IS YOUR LIFE TOO BUSY … TOO MUCH STRESS? ** Do you want to find more time to enjoy stress relief? – Split Second Stress Relief
[tags]hypertension, high blood pressure, blood pressure, stress, heart attack, Cecil McIntosh, technorati[/tags]
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