V08-N04 - Vascular Disease Foundation

About... Hypertension
H
ypertension is high blood pressure. Blood pressure is the
force of blood as it pushes against the artery walls, which
comes from the pressure the heart puts on the blood as it
pushes it throughout the body. Hypertension is dangerous
because it increases the work of the heart and may cause the
development of heart failure. It is estimated that one third of
the world's population has hypertension and that one quarter
of the U.S. population has prehypertension and another quarter
has actual hypertension.
No one knows exactly what causes hypertension. However,
there are several things which contribute to the development
of high blood pressure. These may include: smoking, obesity,
heredity, sedentary lifestyle, too much sodium (salt) in the diet,
too much alcohol, age, ethnicity (African Americans are more
likely to have hypertension), kidney disease, adrenal and thyroid
problems.
Hypertension often causes no symptoms. That is why it is
known as the “silent killer.” One third of people with hypertension
don't know they have it. You should check your blood
pressure periodically to see what the reading is. If your blood
pressure is extremely high, it may cause chest pain, vision
problems, severe headaches, shortness of breath, and irregular
heartbeat.
Normal blood pressure is below 120/80. Prehypertension is
120-139/80-89. This condition should be followed very carefully
by your health-care provider. Stage 1 hypertension is 140-
159/90-99 and stage 2 is greater than160/100. Hypertension is
treated by making changes in lifestyle such as smoking cessation,
decreased alcohol intake, weight loss, and exercise, under
the direction of your health-care provider. Further treatment
may include the DASH diet (www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/hbp/dash/new_dash.pdf
) and drug therapy. If
hypertension is not treated, it can lead to stroke, heart failure,
heart attack, kidney failure, and vision problems. You should
follow the advice of your health-care provider and seek to
maintain a normal blood pressure under his/her guidance.
Feeding the Homeless in Denver CO
After VDF cancelled the Focus on Vascular
Disease conference scheduled to be held in
August in Denver, the Four Points Hotel
generously worked with VDF to offset its
commitment to the hotel by providing 150
boxed lunches for the Denver Rescue Mission
to feed the homeless in Denver, CO.
Photo: Volunteers from the Denver Rescue
Mission accept a generous donation from the
Vascular Disease Foundation’s Executive
Director, Sheryl Benjamin (pictured far right).
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Vascular Disease Foundation • www.vdf.org • 888-VDF-4INFO