I've heard in the news that Philippine doctors are alarmed by the increasing number of cases of heart attack, stroke, cancer, diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases in the country. They said that the common culprits are tobacco use, unhealthy diet and physical activity.
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is often called the Silent Killer because many people are not aware that their blood pressure is too high. Many people with high blood pressure may not feel any symptoms and therefore not have their hypertension diagnosed and treated for many years. Hypertension is the leading cause of stroke and can cause severe damage to other organs – eyes, kidneys and the arteries that bring blood to the heart muscle (coronary arteries).
Normal, or ideal, blood pressure is less than 120/80 mm Hg. Blood pressures of 120/80 – 140/90 are considered “prehypertension.” Blood pressures in this range do not necessarily require medication and many people in this category can bring their blood pressure down with lifestyle modification, such as losing weight and reducing salt intake. People with cardiovascular risk factors, diabetes or kidney disease with blood pressure in this range often receive medications.
If a person’s blood pressure is over 140/90 they are considered to have hypertension. A trial of lifestyle modifications can be considered although many patients will require medication along with lifestyle modification.
There are two numbers in the blood pressure measurement. The first, or top number, is called the systolic blood pressure and represents the pressure in your arteries (the blood vessels that carry blood with oxygen from the heart to all parts of the body) when the heart contracts (beats) and pumps blood out of the heart and into the arteries.The second, or bottom, number is called the diastolic blood pressure and represents the pressure in your arteries while your heart relaxes between beats.
Both numbers are important and elevation in one, or both, are considered when making the diagnosis of hypertension.
What Causes High Blood Pressure?
Many factors can contribute to developing high blood pressure. Some can be controlled, such as weight, eating too much salt, drinking too much alcohol, and lack of physical exercise. The exact role of stress is unclear but is felt to be a factor as well.
Those factors that cannot be controlled are heredity (the genetic predisposition to having high blood pressure), older age and race.There are secondary causes of hypertension such as endocrine problems that are much less common but are often considered in a young person or a person with very hard to control blood pressure.
High Blood Pressure Symptoms
High Blood pressure usually causes no symptoms, that is why it is labeled as "the silent killer". Sometimes people with markedly elevated blood pressure may develop the following:
- headache
- dizziness
- blurred vision
- nausea and vomiting
- chest pain and shortness of breath
How Is Hypertension Treated?
Lifestyle Modification
Changes in a person’s lifestyle can significantly lower blood pressure. Some people can lower pressure enough to where they do not need medications while with others the changes can reduce the amount of medications needed.
Diet
For many, but not all people, reduction in sodium intake is very important.A special diet, that consists of fruits, vegetables, low- and non-fat dairy products, lean meats, fish, beans and nuts could help lower the blood pressure.
Exercise
Physical activity can be helpful in many ways. Expending more energy results in weight loss but exercise is felt to lower blood pressure directly as well. Maintaining a healthy weight for one’s height will also reduce blood pressure
Medication
All people with hypertension should be treated with lifestyle modification; however, many will still need medication. There are several types or classes of blood pressure medications that work in different ways.
Research shows home blood pressure monitoring can be vital to reducing a patient’s risk of stroke, heart attack, heart failure or kidney failure. More than 50% of people with high blood pressure who monitor at home show an improvement in medication compliance and are quicker to take action.
Let us all eat right, exercise regularly and stop smoking. Always remember that "Health is Wealth".
