Hypertension

The Silent Killer

Sarasota Memorial Hospital Cardiac Rehab 2010

Silence is NOT Golden• Most people who have hypertension have

NO symptoms.

• Approximately 1 in 3 Americans have high blood pressure;

• Only 77.6% are aware of their condition• 67.9% currently under treatment• 44.1% have it under control• 55.9% do not

What is Hypertension

Hypertension occurs when the pressure in the arteries becomes high, causing the heart to work harder than normal to pump the blood throughout the body.

Blood Pressure Defined

The pressure in the arteries when the heart beats and when it is at rest.

Systolic: pressure during a heart beat (the top number)

Diastolic: pressure when heart is at rest (the bottom number)

American Heart Association’s Recommended Values

Category Systolic Diastolic

Normal < 120 < 80

Prehypertension

120-139 80-89

Hypertension stage I

140-159 90-99

Hypertension stage II

+ 160 + 100

The Heart As A Pump Certain nerve impulses cause

arteries to constrict and dilate. The heart pumps blood through

the vessels. If the vessels are wide open, blood

flows freely. If vessels are narrowed, more pressure is required for blood to flow through.

Complications from Uncontrolled Hypertension

Damage to arteries

Aneurysm

Heart failure

Trouble with memory or understanding

Complications from Uncontrolled Hypertension

Blocked or ruptured blood vessels to the brain

Weakened blood vessels in the kidneys

Thickened, narrowed, or torn blood vessels in the eyes

Non-Modifiable Causes Age

Race

Genetics

Modifiable Causes Smoking Alcohol Inactivity Obesity Stress

Too much salt Too little

potassium Other conditions

High cholesterol Diabetes Kidney disease Sleep apnea

How to Control Blood PressureSTOP SMOKING

The nicotine present in tobacco products causes:

Decreased oxygen to the heart.

Increased blood pressure and heart rate.

Increase in blood clotting. Damage to cells that line

coronary arteries and other blood vessels.

Get Moving!!! Make physical exercise

a regular part of your life

Strengthens the blood vessels and helps to control BP.

30-60 min a day to control blood pressure

Drop the Extra Pounds Even a 10 lb weight

loss can lower blood pressure

Excess weight strains the heart and increases blood pressure

Make healthy eating a way of life

Eat For Your Life Avoid fad diets,

diet pills, yo-yo dieting.

Eat plenty of whole grains,

8 servings of fruits, vegetables/day

Legumes

Limit Salt/Sodium Intake No more than 1500mg per day

Limit process foods; add more fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains

Follow the DASH diet www.dashdiet.org

Limit Alcohol Intake

Check with your doctor if it is okay to drink alcohol and how much. Generally one cocktail, beer or wine per day is acceptable.

When All Else Fails Sometimes even

doing all the right things will not lower your blood pressure to an acceptable level.

When that happens, your doctor may put you on one or more blood pressure medications.

Know Your Medications

Always ask your doctor what medicine he/she is giving you and what it is for.

Pay attention to how the new medication makes you feel.

Report any adverse side effects to your doctor.

Never stop taking blood pressure medication without the permission of your doctor.

Stay On Top Of It

If you know you have a problem with blood pressure, it may be a good idea to monitor it at home and record your readings for your doctor.