Hypertension(High Blood Pressure)
General Overview
-Blood pressure is the pressure of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries
-Arteries carry blood from your heart to other parts of your body
Your blood pressure can normally rise and fall throughout the day
Sign & Symptoms
-High blood pressure has no specific signs,symptoms or warnings even if it reaches dangerous levels
-A few people with high blood pressure may get nosebleeds, headaches or even shortness of breath but, there are no real symptoms until it has reached a critical or life threatening stage.
-Some health conditions like diabetes and obesity increases your chances of having high blood pressure
-High blood pressure can also occur during pregnancy and is usually temporary and disappears after delivery
-This is known as gestational hypertension or pregnancy induced hypertension
How is this disease/disorder diagnosed?
The best known way to diagnose high blood pressure is to have your blood pressure measured.
You can measure blood pressure by yourself using a digital blood pressure monitor for automated readings or you can use a sphygmomanometer for manual readings.
How is the test performed?
1. A blood pressure reading uses a pressure cuff (sphygmomanometer)
2. The cuff is placed around the upper arm above the elbow before being electronically or manually inflated
3. After the cuff is completely inflated it will compress the brachial artery, stopping blood flow temporarily
4. Finally, the air within the cuff is slowly released while the person performing the test listens with a stethoscope or monitors an electronic read out.
The final result of your blood pressure reading is recorded as two numbers systolic and diastolic and is presented as ratio(Systolic/Diastolic)
-Systolic blood pressure(the top number) represents the amount of pressure your blood is exerting against your artery walls while your heart beats
-Diastolic blood pressure(the bottom number) represents the amount of pressure your blood is exerting against your artery wall when the heart rest between beats Watch a interactive manual blood pressure test here:https://watchlearnlive.heart.org/index.php?moduleSelect=bptest
What is the prognosis?
Blood pressure can often be referred to as the silent killer due to their being no signs or symptoms. This can lead to the high blood pressure being untreated for a long time which can cause major and life threatening health risks. When left untreated a blood pressure of 180/120 mm Hg or higher can lead to a 80% chance of death within one year, with la average survival rate of 10 months
Prolonged, untreated blood pressure can also eventually lead to stroke, heart attack, blindness and kidney disease
The effects of high blood pressure will worsen over time if not treated.
The only way to remain at a healthy blood pressure is to make healthy lifestyle choices as well as monitor and receive proper treatment and medication if needed.
How is it treated?
People who are diagnosed with high blood pressure are advised to make healthy lifestyle changes
The recommendation of medicine also depends on your blood pressure reading as well as the risk of developing life threatening problems such as a stroke or a heart attack
Your doctor will carry out urine and blood tests, they will also ask questions health to determine the risk of other problems and the steps you must take to help control your blood pressure
-if your blood pressure is consistently above 140/90 mmHg (or 135/85 mmHg at home), but your risk of other problems is low – you'll be advised to make some changes to your lifestyle
-if your blood pressure is consistently above 140/90 mmHg and above(or 135/85 mmHg and above at home) and your risk of other problems is high – you'll be offered medicine to lower your blood pressure, in addition to lifestyle changes
-if your blood pressure is consistently above 160/100 mmHg – you'll be offered medicine to lower your blood pressure, in addition to lifestyle changes
How is it treated?
Dietary Changes Eating a diet that is rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products and skimps on saturated fat and cholesterol can lower your blood pressure by up to 11 mm Hg if you have high blood pressure.
This eating plan is known as the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet
Lifestyle Changes
Here are a few ways you can change your lifestyle to help lower your blood pressure:
Increase Physical Activity
Regular physical activity such as walking, jogging, dancing, cycling, swimming or high intensity workouts for at least 150 minutes per week or about 30 minutes a day can lower your blood pressure from 5 to 8 mm Hg if you have high blood pressure
If you have slightly high blood pressure, exercising can help you avoid hypertension and if you already have hypertension than exercising can help you control your blood pressure
Reduce Intake of Sodium(Salt)
Even if you slightly reduce the intake of sodium in your diet, it can improve your heart health tremendously as well as reduce your blood pressure by 5 to 6 mm Hg if you have high blood pressure
The effect of sodium intake on blood pressure varies among groups of people. In general, limit sodium to 2,300 milligrams(2.3 grams) a day or less. However, a lower sodium intake 1,500 mg a day or less is ideal for most adults.
You can reduce sodium(salt) by reading food labels, eating fewer processed foods, don’t add salt by using other spices and seasoning to flavor your food, slowly reduce your intake on sodium and let your diet adjust to it no need to rush into it
Reduce Stress
Chronic stress can contribute to high blood pressure although there is not enough research to determine the specific effects chronic stress has on blood pressure
Occasional stress also can contribute to high blood pressure if your reaction to stress lead to you eating unhealthy food, drinking alcohol or smoking
Try to learn ways to cope with your stress in healthy ways
Drugs used to treat high blood pressure(Medication)
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)
-inhibitors Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)
Diuretics
-Often known as water pills, diuretics work by flushing excess water and salt from the body through urine
Beta-blockers
-Beta blockers can reduce blood pressure by making your heart beat more slowly and with less force
Calcium channel blockers
-Calcium channel blockers reduce blood pressure by widening your blood vessels A few other medications can also include:
Alpha-blockers
Alpha-agonists
Renin inhibitors
Combination medications( A mix of medication that fits the specific needs of the patient)
Current Information on Treatment
There is not way to completely cure blood pressure, you can only help control it
Anyone diagnosed with high blood pressure is highly recommended to change to a healthier lifestyle
Following the Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet also helps you control your blood pressure.
Drugs are also used to to control high blood pressure