There is a variety of reasons why people get high blood pressure HBP.
The history of 130/80 as the normal (which was revised in 2017 to 120/80 as being the normal BP), as told during my medical education was that, the insurance actuaries in Connecticut in the 19th century noticed that people with a history of BP over 130/80 were dying younger on the average.
In the USA, the rates of High Blood Pressure, Obesity, Income (or lack there of) all seem to cluster. The above the prevalence of High Blood Pressure
This one is about Income. See how closely it resembles the one above for High Blood Pressure (and also the one below for Obesity)
Because the above graph is for each COUNTY, one can also clearly see the poorest areas along the Mexican Border in Texas. All Native American Indian reservations are also RED in colour denoting their poverty (except Florida)
In short, nearly half the USA is
Obese
Poor
Hypertensive
The following map is more explanatory .
The above map shows where most of the African-American (Black) population of the USA live, which also follows a similar pattern to the above maps.
It is also important to individualize the BP values. Native American Indians along with many other indigenous populations in the world have historically had lower BP values.
I have measured BP among various indigenous tribes in North, Central and South America and they are consistently lower than the BP for Europeans and American people of European ancestry.
I had the opportunity to visit GUNA indians living in GUNA YALA off PANAMA five times and measure hundreds of BPs. Consistently the adult BP were 100/110 over 60/70. Also measuring BP among the traditionally living Indians of South America as well as Tarahuamara in Mexico, I consider 120/70 to be the "normal" BP among the Indians of Americas.
As with Body Mass Index (BMI Kg/M2) that defines obesity and overweight ( for Europeans it is >25 considered overweight and > 30 considered Obesity) the BP Levels which are dangerous to Asians might also be different. Among Asians BMI of > 22 is considered Overweight and >25 considered Obese. Studies have consistently shown that for Asian Indians for example, Diastolic Blood Pressure >80 mm Hg along with any Hyperglycemia makes them susceptible to Stroke.
So one has to INDIVIDUALIZE what is the BP for that person.
I decided to do an experiment on myself today. I would listen to 10 minutes of American Indian Flute music and would measure BP before and after and see what effect that soothing music has on me.
Flight of Eagle
considering the symbolic importance of the Eagle for the American Indians with whom I work , I decided to watch the video depicting the flight of the Eagle.
here are the results of my BP before and after listening to the 10 minute segment of this video
I am of asian ancestry and am more concerned about my DBP which is the lower number. It is incredible that just ten minutes of watching an Indian Flute video depicting the Eagle ! brought down the DBP by 9 points which most medications cannot achieve!
The role of anxiety or stress in the BP readings in the individual is very obvious. Whenever I visit a Doctors Office (something distasteful to me) my BP rises by 20-30 points! and I have to explain to them that it is due to my aversion to the office and not to take personal offence!
Whether you are trying to loose weight, find balance in your life or decrease your BP or increase your health parameters, always measures like listening to soothing music, meditation or yoga are helpful.
Good Luck
The history of 130/80 as the normal (which was revised in 2017 to 120/80 as being the normal BP), as told during my medical education was that, the insurance actuaries in Connecticut in the 19th century noticed that people with a history of BP over 130/80 were dying younger on the average.
Because the above graph is for each COUNTY, one can also clearly see the poorest areas along the Mexican Border in Texas. All Native American Indian reservations are also RED in colour denoting their poverty (except Florida)
In short, nearly half the USA is
Obese
Poor
Hypertensive
The following map is more explanatory .
The above map shows where most of the African-American (Black) population of the USA live, which also follows a similar pattern to the above maps.
It is also important to individualize the BP values. Native American Indians along with many other indigenous populations in the world have historically had lower BP values.
I have measured BP among various indigenous tribes in North, Central and South America and they are consistently lower than the BP for Europeans and American people of European ancestry.
As with Body Mass Index (BMI Kg/M2) that defines obesity and overweight ( for Europeans it is >25 considered overweight and > 30 considered Obesity) the BP Levels which are dangerous to Asians might also be different. Among Asians BMI of > 22 is considered Overweight and >25 considered Obese. Studies have consistently shown that for Asian Indians for example, Diastolic Blood Pressure >80 mm Hg along with any Hyperglycemia makes them susceptible to Stroke.
So one has to INDIVIDUALIZE what is the BP for that person.
I decided to do an experiment on myself today. I would listen to 10 minutes of American Indian Flute music and would measure BP before and after and see what effect that soothing music has on me.
considering the symbolic importance of the Eagle for the American Indians with whom I work , I decided to watch the video depicting the flight of the Eagle.
here are the results of my BP before and after listening to the 10 minute segment of this video
The role of anxiety or stress in the BP readings in the individual is very obvious. Whenever I visit a Doctors Office (something distasteful to me) my BP rises by 20-30 points! and I have to explain to them that it is due to my aversion to the office and not to take personal offence!
Whether you are trying to loose weight, find balance in your life or decrease your BP or increase your health parameters, always measures like listening to soothing music, meditation or yoga are helpful.
Good Luck
