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Jan 26, 2014 News
What is Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)?
Blood pressure is the force of blood pressing against the walls of blood vessels in our body. Hypertension, also referred to as high blood pressure, is a condition in which the arteries have persistently elevated blood pressure.
Everyone must make an effort to understand their blood pressure readings. It is given in two figures for example 120/80 which can be expressed as 120 over 80. The top number is called the systolic pressure which represents the pressure as the heart contracts. The bottom number is called the diastolic pressure and it represents the blood pressure as the heart relax (rest) or between beats.
Below are blood pressure values that can be use as a guide to know our blood pressure status:
. Normal blood pressure range < 120/80 . Pre-Hypertension >120/80 but <140/90 . Hypertension – >140/90
What causes Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)?
The exact cause of high blood pressure is unknown however many contributing factors have been identified as predisposing factors to HTN such as: hereditary predisposition (family history), high sodium intake, excessive weight, diabetes mellitus, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, high serum Lipid Levels (Cholesterol and LDL), sedentary lifestyle, ethnicity, increase in age, gender, socioeconomic Status, stress/depression etc.
How is Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) dangerous?
Hypertension causes the heart to work harder and also hardening of the blood vessels. It can lead to stroke, heart failure, enlarged left side of the Heart, coronary artery disease, kidney failure, retinal damage (eyes) etc.
Signs and Symptoms of HTN
If your blood pressure is very high, you may experience: fatigue, decreased activity tolerance, dizziness, palpitations (sensations that your heart is pounding or racing), angina (chest pains), and dyspnea (shortness of breath).
Treatment
· Normal blood pressure range – less than 120/80 (this indicate that your blood pressure is good and you need to keep it that way)
· Pre-Hypertension – greater than120/80 but lessthan140/90(this indicate that you might be developing high blood pressure. It is important that you change your eating habits, increase your physical activity and lose extra weight)
· Hypertension – greater than 140/90 (this is indicating that you have high blood pressure and you need to get help from your doctor)
How to Prevent HTN?
Lifestyle modifications prevent hypertension and include: Maintaining a healthy weight, reduce salt/sodium intake, increase physical exercise, stop smoking , limit alcohol consumption, limit fat intake, control diabetes, use stress relieving techniques, take antihypertensive medications as ordered by your doctor, home monitoring of blood pressure (write values in a book and discuss it with your doctor).
I hope that this article will provide some basic knowledge and essential information of hypertension to our audience in order to prepare them early in prevention or management of this disorder in their future life. Please take good care of your health and remember to look forward for future health care articles. Patient education plays a major role in the management of their illness.
– Dr. Kumar Sukhraj BSC, MBBS, IIWCC-CAN
Reference: Lewis, S. L., Heitkemper, M. M., Dirksen, S. R., O’Brien, P. G., & Bucher, L. (2007). Medical-Srugical Nursing: Assessment and Management of Clinical Problems. Missouri: Mosby.
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