Hypertension

By
Kaitlynn Poch
What is hypertension?
Hypertension is better known as high blood pressure and the silent killer
Blood pressure has 2 numbers, the top (systolic) is the force exerted against your
arteries during the pump action of the heart. The bottom number (diastolic) is
the force exerted against arteries during resting phase of heart.
Normal BP (short for blood pressure) is 120/80
Pre-hypertension is over 120/80, but below 140/90 most of the time
Hypertension is over 140/90 most of the time.
Check out this video:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/anatomyvideos/000013.htm
Risk factors and causes
Factors for hypertension include: high salt intake, diabetes, high cholesterol and
obesity
Family history can also play a role in your blood pressure
Smoking, drinking too much alcohol and being stressed or anxious are other
contributing factors
Some races are more likely than others to have hypertension, one of which is
African Americans
~http://www.nlm.nih.gov/
~http://www.mayoclinic.org

Prevention
Ways to prevent hypertension include:
~eating a healthy diet, low in sodium and fat
~not using tobacco or alcohol (in excess)
~being a healthy weight and active
~being aware of your family history

Why is prevention important?
According to the American heart association here are some reasons:
Damage to the heart and artery walls (heart attack, aortic dissection, ect.)
Erectile dysfunction
Stroke
Kidney damage and loss of function
Vision loss
~http://www.heart.org
Detection
High blood pressure is a symptomless disease
The only way to detect hypertension is checking your blood pressure
One high BP reading does not alone determine if you have a health
problem. Your practitioner will use 3 separate readings, from 3
separate visits, to determine if you have high BP. ~mayoclinic.org
Along with checking BP, if it is continually high, your
practitioner may check some basic labs, including
metabolic panel and a urinalysis.
Treatment
There are several treatment options
Exercise vs. medication
Best way to lower BP is to change your life habits
Sometimes that is not enough, so medications must be introduced
Several different types of medications, your practitioner will review your
record to see what may be best for you
~http://www.mayoclinic.org
Sources
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-
pressure/basics/treatment/con-20019580
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000468.htm
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/HighBloodPressure/Why
BloodPressureMatters/Why-Blood-Pressure-
Matters_UCM_002051_Article.jsp