HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

PREPARED BY: S GALLOWAY Murray & Roberts Site Medic

High blood pressure, also known as HBP or hypertension, is a widely misunderstood medical condition. Some people think that those with hypertension are tense, nervous or hyperactive, but hypertension has nothing to do with personality traits. The truth is, you can be a calm, relaxed person and still have HBP.

Let's look at the facts about blood pressure so you can better understand how your body works and why it is smart to start protecting yourself now, no matter what your blood pressure numbers are.By keeping your blood pressure in the healthy range, you are:

Reducing your risk of the walls of your blood vessels walls becoming overstretched and injured

Reducing your risk of having a heart attack or stroke; and developing heart failure, kidney failure and peripheral vascular disease.

Protecting your entire body so that your tissue receives regular supplies of blood that is rich in the oxygen it needs

The problems from too much force.

Healthy arteries are made of muscle and a semi-flexible tissue that stretches like elastic when the heart pumps blood through them. The more forcefully that blood pumps, the more the arteries stretch to allow blood to easily flow. .

Uncontrolled high blood pressure can injure or kill you. Sometimes called "the silent killer" because HBP has no symptoms, so you may not be aware that it's damaging your arteries, heart and other organs

Your risk increases even more if you have high blood pressure along with other risk factors

Age Generic (including race) Gender (male) Overweight or obesity Smoking excessive alcohol intakeHigh cholesterol Diabetes Physical inactivity

Take the time to learn about what the numbers in your blood pressure reading mean

STEP 3: No your Blood Pressure

Understand your blood pressure readingAnd be familier with the damage it causes toYour body

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The two numbers tell you the amount of force pushing against your artery walls when the heart is contracting and when the heart is at rest.

Understanding Blood Pressure Readings

Systolic The top number, which is also the higher of the two numbers, measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats (when the heart muscle contracts)

DiastolicThe bottom number, which is also the lower of the two numbers, measures the pressure in the arteries between heartbeats (when the heart muscle is resting between beats and refilling with blood

What is the AHA recommendation for healthy blood pressure

Blood PressureCategory

Systolicmm Hg (upper #) Diastolic

mm Hg (lower #)

Normal less than 120 and less than 80

Prehypertension 120 – 139 or 80 – 89

High Blood Pressure

(Hypertension) Stage 1

140 – 159 or 90 – 99

High Blood Pressure

(Hypertension) Stage 2

160 or higher or 100 or higher

Hypertensive Crisis

(Emergency care needed)

Higher than 180 or Higher than 110

STEP 4: Causes and Management

Look after yourself an manage your health evenIf your Blood Pressure is normal

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Even if your blood pressure is normal, consider making lifestyle modifications to prevent the development of HBP and improve your heart health

Treatment and Management:

The Doctor will prescribe the suitable medication to assist your hearts working load, and will help to lower your Blood Pressure Make changes to a more healthier lifestyle such as:

• Avoid drinking too much alcohol. • Limit caffeine intake. • Stop smoking. Smoking raises blood pressure• Drink enough water for healthier kidneys – to

rid body of waste products and prevent kidneys to retaining water – 8 glasses per day.

• Exercise regularly

COMPLICATIONS

Over time when high blood pressure is left untreated and uncontrolled.Damage to the heart and coronary arteries, including heart attack, heart disease, congestive heart failure, aortic dissection and atherosclerosis (fatty build-ups in the arteries that cause them to harden) Stroke Kidney damage Vision loss Erectile dysfunction Memory loss Fluid in the lungs Angina Peripheral artery disease

STEP 5: SUMMARY

TAKE CONTROL -

Take your medication as prescribed by your Doctor

Never skip your tablets

Take control over your life style

Start exercising – consult your Doctor before starting with any exercise program

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If you not sure

Get you Blood Pressure numbers

WHERE?

Emergency Prep room on site

WHEN?

7h00 till 17h00 Afterhours emergencies: Contact: 081 1286801 MEDIC