Understanding systolic blood pressure

It is referred to the pressure or force that the blood puts forth on the walls of blood vessels while passing through them. Its reading generally measures two pressures namely systolic and diastolic. The former refers to the quantity of force that the blood exerts on the vessels as the heart beats whereas the latter refers to the amount of blood pressure when the heart is relaxed. A blood pressure reading generally has two numbers; top (systolic) and bottom (diastolic). When both are high one is said to suffer from high blood pressure while when the top number exceeds 140 it is referred as high systolic blood pressure.

Causes

1) Lack of exercise
2) Being overweight
3) High salt intake
4) Low magnesium, calcium and potassium levels
5) Smoking
6) Having diabetes

Common symptoms

1) Dizziness and light-headedness
2) Dull headache
3) Nosebleeds
4) Visual changes or blurred vision
5) Palpitations in chest
6) Digestive problems
7) Lack of sexual interest

Toprol XL (Metoprolol XL): an effective Medication

This is the best treatment of high blood pressure. It belongs to a class of medications known as beta-blockers. This prescription medication is used for treating hypertension and angina (chest pain). It also helps in treating and preventing heart attack.

When one is excited or under stress, their body releases a type of chemical which is known as adrenaline. This chemical attaches to the receptors in the heart thereby causing it to work harder and faster and as a result increases the hypertension. Beta-blockers such as Toprol XL (Metoprolol XL) work by preventing the adrenaline to attach to the receptors which helps to keep the b heart rate under control.

Precautions to be taken

1) Allergic to any ingredient in the tablet
2) Severe allergies
3) Thyroid disorder
4) Kidney or liver disease
5) Depression
6) Diabetes
7) Asthma, bronchitis, emphysema
8) Raynaud's syndrome
9) Pheochromocytoma
10) Low blood pressure
11) Congestive heart failure

Side effects of Toprol XL (Metoprolol XL)

Minor side effects

1) Anxiety, nervousness
2) Sleep problems
3) Headache
4) Impotence
5) Diarrhea, heartburn, constipation

Major side effects

1) Depression, hallucinations, memory problems
2) Trouble breathing
3) Easy bruising
4) Loss of appetite
5) Nausea
6) Shortness of breath
7) Swelling of the feet or hands
8) Fainting, feeling light-headed
9) Chest pain

Taking this medication in conjunction with lifestyle changes, reducing stress, reducing intake of salt and fat diets, reducing alcohol intake and quitting smoking will work wonders. Taking healthy diets and with positive attitude and lot of physical exercise is a key live a happy and stress free life.