Hypertension

By: Nancy Fotinos

What is hypertension?

• Hypertension is also known as high blood pressure. Normal levels for blood pressure is below 120/80.The top number represents the systolic measurement( peak pressure in the arteries) and the bottom represents the diastolic (minimum pressure in the arteries) Blood pressure between 120/80 and 139/89 is called prehypertension. Blood pressure of 140/90 or higher is considered hypertension

Effects of High Blood Pressure

• High blood pressure can damage your health in many ways:

• It can harden the arteries , decreasing the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart this reduced flow can cause:

• Chest pain also known as angina

• Heart failure which occurs when the heart cant pump enough blood and oxygen to your other organs

• Heart attack which is caused when the blood supply to your heart is blocked and the heart muscle cells die from lack of oxygen. The larger the blood flow is blocked, the greater the damage to the heart.

• High Blood pressure can burst or block arteries that supply blood and oxygen to the brain resulting in a stroke

Who Is At Risk?• High Blood pressure is common in the US 1 in 3 people have it. Certain

traits conditions and habits can increase your risk.

• Older age- Blood pressure tends to increase with age. About 65% of Americans 60 years or older have high blood pressure

• Race Ethnicity- HBP can affect anyone but tends to be more of a problem in African Americans and Hispanics ( Puerto Ricans at the highest and Cubans at the lowest). This means they are vulnerable of getting HBP earlier in life , have more severe HBP and not seek the help they need.

• Overweight or obesity-This increases your chances to get HBP if you are overweight or obese

• Gender-Men and women are equally likely to develop HBP in their lives however before age 45 men are more likely to have HBP than woman, after 65 the condition is more likely to affect women than men.

Some Unhealthy Life Style Habits

• too much sodium in your diet

• drinking too much alcohol

• lack of physical activity

• Smoking

• Not getting enough potassium in their diet

• Genetics and long lasting stress can increase your chances of HBP

Life Style Habits Than Can Help High Blood Pressure

• 5 portions of fruits and vegetables are recommended per day

• keeping a healthy weight

•Drinking less alcohol

• Taking your BP medication

Things That Worsen High Blood Pressure

• Certain medications can increase your BP

• Daily intake of Tylenol

• Aleve

• Advil

• Certain antidepressants

• Hormonal birth control

• Also diet, alcohol consumption inactivity and prolonged stress

Things You Can Do To Help Yourself

• Eat less salt in your diet

• Eat more fruits and vegetables (5 fruits and vegetable are recommended per day)

• Keeping a healthy weight

• Drinking less alcohol

• Taking your BP medication

References

•  www.bloodpressureuk.org

•  www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/diastolic-systolic.htm

• www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood

• www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles

• www.nhlbi.gov/healthy/health