High blood pressure or Hypertension

An ideal blood pressure is between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg.

Low blood pressure is 90/60mmHg or lower and High blood pressure is 140/90mmHg or higher.

A blood pressure reading between 120/80mmHg and 140/90mmHg could mean you're at risk of developing high blood pressure if you don't take steps to keep your blood pressure under control. 

   Lifestyle changes: diet, exercise and stress reduction techniques. 

  Medication: anti-hypertensives. 

If you're diagnosed with high blood pressure, your doctor may recommend taking one or more medicines to keep it under control.

These usually need to be taken once a day.

Common blood pressure medications include:  

ACE inhibitors – such as enalapril, lisinopril, perindopril and ramipril

Angiotensin-2 receptor blockers (ARBs) – such as candesartan, irbesartan, losartan, valsartan and olmesartan

Calcium channel blockers – such as amlodipine, felodipine and nifedipine or diltiazem and verapamil.

Diuretics – such as indapamide and bendroflumethiazide

Beta-blockers– such as atenolol and bisoprolol

Alpha-blockers – such as doxazosin

Renin inhibitors – such as aliskiren

Other diuretics – such as amiloride and spironolactone

The medication recommended for you will depend on things like how high your blood pressure is and your age.

Side effects: erectile dysfunction, headaches, heavy legs, constipation, dry mouth, irregular menstrual bleeding, postural hypotension, lethargy, fatigue, coughing, peripheral oedema (leg swelling), rash or bradycardia.

If your blood pressure remains too high it will put an enormous strain on your blood vessels. This will cause wear and tear on the endothelial cells that lie in the inside of the blood vessels. Long-term high pressure can result in cracks in the blood vessels that can lead to serious problems for your heart and other organs such as the brain, your kidneys or your eyes.

Undiagnosed high blood pressure will be life threatening and will lead to 

myocardial infarction, a ruptured aneurysm, transient ischaemic attacks (with a warning signs such as loss of memory), deterioration in vision or hearing.

There is a likelihood of leading to major haemorrhagic (bleed) or ischaemic (infarct) strokes which will further lead to a degree of small vessel disease or vascular dementia. Peripheral artery disease and poor circulation could also lead to other complications.

Carbon dioxide is colour and odourless gas that is heavier than air. When bathing (to chest height) in a “dry carbon dioxide” the gas is absorbed through the hair follicles and skin into the capillaries and connective tissues. This (vasodilation) expands the blood vessel’s diameter which improves blood flow and the removal of waste products as well as increasing the transport of oxygen, nutrients and glucose to the tissues.

Effects:

Within the first couple of minutes a client experiences pleasant heat and perspiration.

Blood pressure is decreased typically by 15-20mmHg Systolic and 10-15mmHg Diastolic.

Benefits last up to six months:

· Helps to alleviate Stroke related Neuropathic pain

· Better blood flow increases energy levels alleviates fatigue and improves mood

· Cognition may improve

· Eyesight may improve

· Alleviates wheezing

· Helps to improve independence and improves quality of life

· Helps improve lymphatic fluid drainage (gravitational oedema) - meaning shoes fit properly

Gradually walking distance will improve