The Connection Between Massage, Strokes and Pressures

The cardiologist has devoted a large block of time to an intensive study of the heart. The cardiologist also keeps up-to-date on the latest research in the areas of blood pressure and stroke. Is the heart related to blood pressure? To stroke level? If so, how is it related to those two health concerns?

The blood pressure is a measure of resistance. It indicates the degree to which the blood vessels resist the force of the heart contraction, the force that should push blood through the circulatory system. The more forcefully the blood vessels resist the push produced gy the heart beat, the greater the blood pressure level for that particular individual.

High blood pressure and stroke in any patient should raise a red flag in the eyes of a trained cardiologist. A patient with high blood pressure has put a severe strain on his or her heart. As the heart encounters greater resistance from the blood vessels, it steps-up the expectations on the heart muscle. The heart must exert more effort, in order to overcome the increased resistance shown by the blood vessels.

The narrowing of blood vessels can increase their resistance. As blood vessels narrow, they create the conditions that move the body further and further from a lower blood pressure. High stroke risk also exists in the person who has overly- narrow blood vessels.

What can cause the narrowing of the blood vessels? Consumption of large amounts of fatty foods can cause plagues to form in the blood vessels. Plague formation can narrow the diameter of any blood vessel. Plague formation reduces the chances that the patient with such plagues will have a low blood pressure.

And stroke, let’s look at how the diet can affect the chances that a person might suffer a stroke. As mentioned above, a fatty diet encourages the formation of plagues. If a plague forms in an especially important blood vessel, that plague can precipitate disastrous consequences. For example, if it forms in the carotid artery, it can cause a stroke.

Exercise can help to reduce the chances that plagues will form in the blood vessels. Exercise helps to promote low blood pressure. Smoking, on the other hand, permits the inhalation of many tiny particles. Those particles eventually enter the blood stream. They can act to narrow the blood vessels.

Smoking can increase a patient’s blood pressure. Some people smoke in order to relax. They might think about getting a massage. A massage is another good way to relax. When a person feels more relaxed, he or she seldom has an alarmingly high blood pressure.

Patients who can not find a massage therapist might consider some alternate ways to relax. They might consider taking part in a meditation program. They might find a spot where they can listen to relaxing music. They might seek out locations that are free of any type of stressor.

Any such effort would be a step in the right direction. It would help the stressed individual onto the path towards a more relaxed life-style.