Not many people these days over the age of forty have not had to start to deal with the problem of high blood pressure. From my own circle of friends, I know two ladies who were hospitalised through it. One had a stroke and the other developed a kind of 'temporary dementia'.
Not only that, but the age at which people, especially in the West are becoming affected is dropping. Our sedentary lifestyles computers and televisions and junk food high sodium intake are often blamed.
Blood pressure, though measured in numbers, holds the key to understanding the vitality of your heart. It's the force with which blood surges through your arteries, driving life-sustaining oxygen and nutrients to every cell. This vital sign is recorded as two numbers: systolic (when the heart beats) and diastolic (when it rests). For instance, a reading of 120/80 mm Hg signifies a healthy blood pressure.