High Blood Pressure Hypertension

High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
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Hypertension?
Blood pressure is the pressure created by the
heart as it pumps blood through the arteries
and the circulatory system.
What blood pressure numbers mean
Top number (Systolic)= Pressure while
heart is beating.
Bottom number (Diastolic)= Pressure
while heart is resting between beats.
Normal Blood Pressure
Blood Pressure of < 130/ 80
High Blood Pressure (hypertension)
Blood Pressure > 130/ 80
What High Blood Pressure Does to the Body
High blood pressure puts you at a higher risk for the following:
Stroke
Congestive heart failure
Kidney failure
Heart attack
Heart rhythm problems
Aneurysm
Symptoms of High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure usually has NO SYMPTOMS!! Because of this it is sometimes referred
to as "The Silent Killer".
How to tell if you might have high blood pressure:
Headache
Blurry vision
Chest Pain
Frequent urination at night
Causes of High Blood Pressure
Blood pressure develops when certain nerve impulses cause arteries to become larger
(dilate) or smaller (contract). If vessels are wide open blood flows easily. If vessels narrow
pressure inside increases causing hypertension. The cause of vessels narrowing is
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unknown in 90 to 95% of cases. This is called Primary Hypertension. In 5 to 10% of
cases, the cause of vessel narrowing comes from another condition. This is
called Secondary Hypertension. Some common conditions that can cause secondary
hypertension are:
Kidney Abnormalities
Narrowing of certain arteries
Rare tumors
Adrenal gland abnormalities
Pregnancy
Risk Factors of High Blood Pressure
Risk Factors You Can't Control
Uncontrollable risk factors are inherent to you and cannot be changed. They include:
Heredity
Age
Men between age 35 and 50
Women after menopause
Risk Factors You Can Control
Controllable risk factors are lifestyle choices that increase the risk of high blood pressure.
They include:
Increased salt intake
Obesity
Alcohol consumption
Stress
Lack of exercise
​Women and High Bood Pressure
Women are particularly at risk for hypertension due to the following:
Birth Control Pill
Pregnancy
Overweight
After Menopause
What You Can Do to Reduce the Risk of Hypertension
High blood pressure is a lifelong disease. It can be controlled, but not cured. Controlling
blood pressure will reduce the risk of stroke, heart attack, heart failure and kidney disease.
The following lifestyle changes will help you reduce your risk:
Lose weight if your overweight
Get regular physical activity
Avoid excessive alcohol
Stop smoking
Manage your stress
Decrease salt intake
Eat for heart health
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Discuss the use of oral contraceptives with your doctor
Discuss the use of some medications with your doctor
Follow the Ten Commandments for Blood Pressure Control
The Ten Commandments for Blood Pressure Control
Know your blood pressure. Have it checked regularly.
Know what your weight should be. Keep it at that level or below.
Don't use excessive salt in cooking or at meals. Avoid salty foods.
Eat a low-fat diet
According to AHA regulations, don't smoke cigarettes or use tobacco products.
Take your medicine exactly as prescribed. Don't run out of pills even for a single day.
Keep your appointments with the doctor.
Follow your doctors advice about exercise.
Make certain family members have their blood pressure checked regularly.
Live a normal life in every other way!
Medication for High Blood Pressure
Diuretics - Rid the body of excess fluids and salt.
Beta-blockers - Reduce the heart rate and the work of the heart.
Calcium antagonists - Reduce heart rate and relax blood vessels.
Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ACE) - Interfere with the bodies production of
angiotensin, a chemical that causes the arteries to constrict (narrow).
Vasodialators - Cause the muscle in the wall of the blood vessels to relax, allowing
the vessel to dialate (widen).
Sympathetic nerve inhibitors - Sympathetic nerves go from the brain to all parts of the
body, including the arteries. They cause arteries to constrict raising blood pressure.
These drugs reduce blood pressure by inhibiting these nerves from constricting blood
vessels.
​Blood Pressure Measurement
Blood pressure is measured using a sphygmomanometer. There are two numbers in a bood
pressure reading.
Systolic pressure= pressure when 1st sound is heard
Diastolic pressure= pressure when last sound is heard
In order to get an accurate measurement, the size of the blood pressure cuff should be
appropriate.
Small - children and small adults
Average
Large - overweight and large adults
​American Heart Association Recommended Blood Pressure Levels
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Copyright Akwa Wellness
Home Blood Pressure Monitoring
​Mercury sphygmomanometer
Standard for BP monitoring
No calibration
May be bulky
Need a second person to use machine
May be difficult for hearing impaired or patients with arthritis
Aneroid equipment
Inexpensive, lightweight and portable
Two person operation/need stethoscope
Delicate mechanism, easily damaged
Needs calibration with mercury sphygmomanometer
Automatic equipment
Contained in one unit
Portable with easy-to-read digital display
Expensive, fragile
Must be calibrated
Requires careful cuff placement​
Drs. Christiaan Janssens MBA
CRO Akwa Wellness
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Websites:
http://newsroom.cumc.columbia.edu/blog/2018/02/14/understanding-the-new-bloodpressure-treatment-guidelines/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/159283.php
https://www.health.harvard.edu/topics/blood-pressure
https://www.healthyhorns.utexas.edu/HT/HT_highbloodpressure.html
​http://www.acc.org/latest-in-cardiology/articles/2017/11/08/11/47/mon-5pm-bp-guidelineaha-2017
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