Download - Hypertension 2010
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.