High Blood Pressure has been called; “The silent killer,” because it has no recognizable symptoms early on that can alert us to the danger. The doctor’s office takes readings so often for this very reason, and also because the levels can change over short periods of time due to various circumstances. 33% of all adults in the United States have this condition and if left untreated, it can lead to heart attack, stroke, and damage to vital organs of the body. A person’s age is an important factor, and the levels need to be monitored more often as one gets older. This is greatly due to the natural accumulated effects of our lifestyles and diet added to possible hereditary and genetic predispositions.

Blood Pressure readings are a combination of two numerical readings; systolic pressure and diastolic pressure. The systolic measurement is the pressure generated by the beating of the heart, while the diastolic measurement is the pressure that exists between heart beats. The blood pressure measurement is a ratio of these numbers expressed in fractional form, with the systolic reading on top and the diastolic reading on the bottom. A normal reading would consist of a systolic number less than 120 and a diastolic reading of less than 80. A condition of pre-hypertension can exist if those numbers are between 1-9 points higher than 120/80 (121/81 – 129/89). Stage 1 Hypertension is diagnosed when those levels are over 140/90, and Stage 2 Hypertension exists when the levels are over 160/100.

High blood pressure (HBP) is broken down into two broad categories; Essential Hypertension, and Secondary Hypertension. Essential HBP, sometimes called primary, or idiopathic hypertension, is a condition with no known cause and has no cure as of yet. Secondary HBP is when the elevated levels are caused by known conditions such as heart, kidney, circulatory and endocrine system complications, or pregnancies.

There are some common misconceptions about what hypertension is also. For years, the primary focus was on the diastolic reading, with the reasoning that it was more indicative of potential problems. If levels were high even when the heart was at rest, then it seemed logical to assume that there was greater cause for concern than if the levels were high during heart beats. However in recent years it has been discovered that high systolic levels are no less significant, especially for older people. This form is called, “Isolated Systolic Hypertension,” (ISH) and it is common among older people.

A Belgian man became the first known fatality of a drug-resistant “superbug” originating in South Asia, reinforcing fears the germ could spread worldwide after infecting dozens of people in Britain and Australia.

The unnamed patient became infected while hospitalised in Pakistan and died in June, a doctor from the Brussels hospital where he had been treated told Belgian media on Friday.

“He was involved in a car accident during a trip to Pakistan. He …

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Most Britons continue to eat even if they are feeling full.

A UK survey has found that four in five Britons keep eating even after they are full, and more than 50 pc women end up eating as much as their husbands or boyfriends.

Men, on the other hand, blame women for feeding them more than they can eat.

Around nine in ten Britons say they were told by their parents to clean their plates, the survey by diet firm Lighter Life found.

Up …

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Researchers at the University of Missouri have come out with a technology to track motions during exercise.

The technology provides feedback to patients as they recover from injuries or illnesses in order to reduce the chances of future injuries and re-hospitalization.

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Researchers seem to have discovered the crucial connection in others’ intentions and our assessment.

The study, published by Cell Press in the August 12 issue of the journal INeuron/I, makes some intriguing observations about how a description of the impact of an individual’s actions on a group can alter the neural representation of their observed behavior.

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Researchers found different outcomes on the advancement of breast cancer on comparing four types of progestins used in hormone replacement therapies.

Progestins are used in hormone replacement therapies to counteract the negative effects of estrogen on the uterus and reduce the risk of uterine cancer. However, evidence in recent studies and clinical trials has demonstrated that progestins increase the risk of breast cancer.

But it is now that theUniversity …

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Goats are the most eco-friendly lawn mowers and all you need to do is to let it loose on your lawn.

They have a minimal carbon footprint, don’t demand wages and don’t need any on-the-job training. All they do is follow their natural instincts – nibble and chew on grass and weeds.

Nine goats borrowed from a local farm are keeping 5 acres of a property close to Chelsea Clinton’s wedding venue, really well maintained.

The project …

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A novel method of spiritual healing is gaining popularity for the treatment of diseases.

Trainers said the method involves removal of negative energy from the body of the patient, and replacing it with positive energy.

“We teach ‘Pranic’ (spiritual) healing. This is a unique treatment, which does not involve medicines of physical touch. There are ‘Chakrras’ (pressure points) in our body. We remove negative energy from those points and transfer positive …

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A study led by researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University has found the effectiveness of brain fitness programs in helping the weak elderly walk faster.

The researchers recruited 20 frail seniors (aged 70 or older) who were sedentary (exercised once a week or less) and walked slowly (a speed of one meter per second or less).

Ten of the seniors (the intervention group) participated in the Mindfit brain fitness program …

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More and more teenagers seduced by the glittering world of Hollywood are opting for botox treatment even as speculation persists over its ill effects on the body. According to the latest figures, more than 12,000 procedures of botox treatment were carried out on teenagers in the country last year with health experts warning that the number is rising every year. Health officials with the American Society of Plastic Surgeons say that a large number of teenagers …

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