What is Hypertension

Again?Hypertension is an often misunderstood disease process. Many people think that those with hypertension are tense, nervous, or anxious. Hypertension has nothing to do with personality. Simply put, hypertension is defined as high blood pressure. As blood leaves the heart and travels through the arteries and veins in our body, the force exerted on the walls of the arteries can become increased. This increase is known as high blood pressure. A diagnosis of high blood pressure is usually made when the doctor obtains three (3)

Risk Factors for High Blood PressureNon-modifiable factors

include: Your age (above 45 years old) and family history

of hypertension.

Modifiable factors include:-Being overweight or obese

-Not getting enough physical activity

-Smoking -Too much sodium your diet & too little potassium in diet -Drinking too much alcohol

-High levels of stress -Chronic conditions such as diabetes or kidney disease

Sheps, M.D., S. (Ed.). (2015, July 7). High blood pressure (hypertension). Retrieved October 5, 2015, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/basics/definition/con-20019580

High Blood Pressure or Hypertension. (2014, August 8). Retrieved October 5, 2015, from http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/HighBloodPressure/High-Blood-Pressure_UCM_002020_SubHomePage.jsp

Ignatavicius, D. D., & Workman, M. L. (2012). Medical-surgical nursing: Patient-centered collaborative care

Controlling Your Blood Pressure

A Guide to Hypertensio

Non-pharmacological

Methods of Control

Eating Healthy Foods: Adopt the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) which emphasizes fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins. Eat plenty of potassium and

avoid fats.Decrease Salt: The average

American consumes 3,300mg of salt a day. Aim for

1,500mg of sodium a day. Be sure to watch out for hidden salt in processed

foods.Exercise: Aim to exercise 5

days a week including weight training exercises 2 days a

Pharmacological Methods of ControlNEVER abruptly stop a medication. Talk with your doctor if you decide to discontinue.Diuretics: Inhibits sodium reabsorption to decrease fluid volume in the arteries

Calcium Channel Blockers: Prevents calcium from entering muscles which causes vasodilationACE Inhibitors: Blocks the action of ACE to stop angiotension conversion. Stops vasocontrictionAngiotenstion II Receptor Blockers: Prevents angiotension II binding to receptors which causes vasodilationBeta-Adrenergic Blockers: Prevents Beta1 from being activated which produces vasodilation in the vasculature.Renin Inhibitors: Stops production of renin in kidney for vasodilation

Stop Smoking: Tobacco injuries blood vessels walls and speeds up

the process of hardening the arteries. Talk to your doctor for

resources on how to quit smoking.Manage Stress: Be sure to get

plenty of sleep and exercise. Deep breathing exercises for as little as 3

mins a day can help. Muscle relaxation and meditation can also

be beneficial.Take Your Medication: Proper blood pressure management requires consistent dosing of medication if your physician prescribes

medication. If side effects or cost pose a problem, ask your physician about other options.Summary: Hypertension is lifelong disease and neither your or your physician can do it on their own. Just because your blood pressure returns to a normal range from either medication or diet and exercise does not mean that you do no have hypertension any more. An action plan is best collaborated between you and your doctor and should be something that you are able to commit to.