A SILENT KILLER; HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
INTRODUCTION:
Our human body will react to certain alternations in the system if there are abnormalities happen. This is the normal reaction of the body to compensate to the abnormalities that are not good for the body. Statistically, there are 50 million people worldwide are estimated to have hypertension. And these surveys will continually increase its numbers because of aging of the population. Furthermore, not all people are aware that they have hypertension, and some are aware of these and have gained knowledge to adequately control their blood pressure. Moreover, there is a factor that triggers hypertension. It can either be underlying problems in the system or it has an unknown cause. Let us study and know what are these and how can it affects the health of the people. Also let us discover how it can be traitor disease.
DEFINITION SYMPTOMS:
Hypertension or known as high blood pressure is a disease of vascular regulation where in the mechanisms that control arterial pressure which is in the normal range is altered. Generally, blood pressures are control by the central nervous system, extracellular fluid volume and the rennin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. It is said that a person is hypertensive if the blood pressure is between 130-139 mmHg of systolic pressure and 85-89 mmHg diastolic pressure. Hypertension are classified into 2, these are primary hypertension or essential hypertension and secondary hypertension.
When we say primary hypertension, it is said that you diastolic pressure is 90 mmHg or higher. Additionally, person are considered hypertensive if the average reading of consecutive takings of the same time in a day. On the other hand, a person is considered second hypertension if there are abnormalities in the system like renal pathology, endocrine disturbances and stenosis of aorta or any heart disease. Normally, the blood pressure measures 120/80 mmHg, if the reading exceeds to this then, there are lest that strongly confirm the diagnosis.
Once the blood pressure exceeds the normal level, most of the person will experience headache, nape pain and blurry vision. Once you experience this manifestation immediately consult your physician so that immediate treatment will be given in order to avoid further damage to the other system. Because every seconds count when the blood pressure is high.
CAUSES AND RISK FACTORS:
There are no exact causes of hypertension. However, there are factors and risk factors that predispose in the development of hypertension. First, is age between the ages of 30-65 years old. Second is family history. Study shows that 50-60% of hypertension people come from family history. Third is overweight. There is a high probability that overweight individuals are at risk for hypertension. Fourth is sedentary lifestyle. Yes, having a sedentary lifestyle without exercise can truly put you at risk for hypertension. Fifth, is smoking habits. We all know that frequent smoking can affect the health of a person and be a risk for developing hypertension.
And lastly, the race can also be a risk factor. Studies show that African race has 35% probability risk of being hypertensive, compared to other races. Aside from that, the cause of hypertension can be excessive dietary sodium intake, sodium retention, hyperinsulinemia, hyperactivity of the sympathetic vasoconstricting nerves increased cardiac output and presence of vasoconstricting substance that causes vasoconstriction. Once blood pressure will be prolonged there can be damage to other systems of the body, such as blood vessel damage, heart damage, eye, kidneys, brain and other organs. That is why tests and diagnostics procedures are conducted to come up with a treatment plan in controlling the high blood pressure.
TEST AND DIAGNOSTICS:
To evaluate hypertension, there are certain tests that the physician usually ordered to confirm the diagnosis and to further access the damage of other organs. One of these diagnostic procedures is ECG, renal scan, chest x-ray, and analysis of BUN, albumin, sodium and potassium. Furthermore, ECG is routinely done to patient who is hypertensive, for it determines the effect of hypertension on the heart or any underlying heart disease. Analysis of serum BUN, albumin, creatinine, sodium and potassium are essential in order to further access if there are any abnormalities and damage in the urine because of hypertension. Because of this, presence of mircoalbumin in the urine is the earliest sign of kidney damage. Once these test and diagnostic procedures confirm the diagnosis then the physician will create a treatment plan in order to control the blood pressure and to prevent further damage.
TREATMENTS:
Remember that self-discipline is important in achieving the desired effect of controlling blood pressure. Bear in mind that you will strictly follow these treatment plans and the healths teaching it suggest. First, you need to have lifestyle medication. Since, sedentary lifestyle can develop high blood pressure, it is important to undergo changes in order to control the blood pressure. If you are obese or overweight, control you body weight by losing extra weight and be back to the normal weight again. It can be helpful if you practice regular aerobic exercise for about 30-40 minutes every day, his can be a form of brisk walking or jogging as recommended by your physician. Cessation of smoking and limitation of alcohol intake can help in controlling blood pressure. Furthermore, limitation of sodium intake for about 2.3 grams per day can also helps a lot in controlling the blood pressure since too much sodium can trigger hypertension. Also, reduction of saturated fats and cholesterol in the diet can be beneficial.
However, despite this lifestyle changes, still blood pressure remains above the normal range for over 3-6 months then pharmacologic therapy with antihypertensive drugs recommended. These antihypertensive drugs are ordered based on the results of the tests and diagnostic procedures that the physicians analyze. First, medications like beta blockers such as Atenolol, Metaprolol, Propanolol HCI, Nadolol and Betaxolol, these are beta-adrenergic inhibitors that lowers down the blood pressure for it acts by slowing the activities of the heart and reducing the cardiac output, also it reduce the release from the kidneys. Secondly, the use of diuretics such as Metolazine, Indapamide, Furosemide, Torsemide, Bumeanide, Spironolactone, Amiloric HCI, Guanadrel and Reserpine can lower blood pressure by promoting urinary excretion of sodium and water in order to lower blood volume. Third, the Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors acts as blocking the enzyme that converts angiotensin I to angiotensin II which is a potent vasoconstrictor.
Furthermore, these types of medications can raise the level of bradykinin, with potent vasodilator thus reducing high blood pressure. Fourth, there is Calcium antagonist that stops the movement of calcium into the cells, it also relaxes smooth muscle which causes vasodilatation and it inhibits the reabsorption of sodium in the venal tubules. These medications are Amlodipine besylate, Felodifine, Verapamil HCL, Nicardipine and Nifedifine. Fifth, the alpha receptor blockers and direct vasodilators can be helpful in dilating peripheral blood vessels and lowering peripheral vascular resistance thus lowers blood pressure. This pharmacologic treatment should strictly and faithfully take by patient with hypertension in order to achieve the desired effect and successfully control the blood pressure. Moreover, physicians should always emphasize through health teachings about consequences if patients will not follow the treatment plan. Most of all, the important thing of achieving the successful control of blood pressure are medication compliance and lifestyle changes. These are the key towards the success of blood pressure control.
COMPLICATIONS:
On the other hand, once the patient didn’t follow the treatment regimen plan and the advice of their physicians, they have a big possibility that they will have complications, they have a big possibility that they will have complications on their condition. Remember that hypertension is a traitor disease since it is known to be a silent killer. Complications can be major damages on different organ system in the body that cause fatality and death to the patient. Let us know what are these uncontrolled hypertension can cause myocardial infarction, these is due to decreased coronary perfusion. Also, coronary heart failure will be the result.
The heart disease will be a major organ that can be affected because once there is a high blood pressure, the tendency is, the myocardial workload will increase resulting to increase oxygen consumption and once he heart always do the compensation just to supply the needed blood volume for the system heart damage will result an also the small vessels surrounding the heart. Other complications would be renal vessels and it will result to diminish perfusion to the glumerules. Other complications would be transient ischemic Attack stroke or ischemia and arteriosclerosis. And lastly, retinopathy will also develop. This develop because small vessels in the eye cannot stand the pressure that hypertension brings, that is why these vessels are collapse and being burst so many patients with hypertension suffers blindness.
PREVENTION:
In order to prevent these complications to develop, all you have to do is follow strictly the regimen plan that the physician make, because they knows what best for your condition. Always follow the medication regimen and have strict compliance upon taking. Also have a lifestyle changes, balance diet with low salt, low fat diet, regular exercise and regular check-ups. These things can surely control the blood pressure and prevent them from acquiring major complications.
CONCLUSION:
Therefore, a good discipline within the body can be an important factor in controlling the blood pressure. Always remember that prevention is better than care, so to avoid major problems from arising, develop a good more that change the bad habits of your lifestyle. Having a good health is wealth.
The question regarding what is high blood pressure and how can it be prevented is very easy to answer due to the fact that this is already a common illness. Hypertension is considered to be a severe medical condition wherein the systematic blood pressure of the artery is elevated. The idea of high blood pressure is often hard to understand because it is usually explained through numbers. For a layman individual, this can be confusing as there are numbers can be hard to understand. One of the most common risk factors of hypertension is persistent hypertension which may lead to myocardial infarction, stoke, arterial aneurysm, heart failure and severe kidney failure.
A slight increase of the blood in the arteries may shorten the life of the person. Keep in mind that lifestyle and dietary changes may improve the control of blood pressure and will lower the risk of developing related health problems and conditions. However, majority of the people who have hypertension are already dependent with hypertensive medications because they need to have a daily maintenance. If you are diagnosed with hypertension, you’ll need to read as much as you can and ask as many questions as you can, because being informed is the most powerful way to ensure your own good health despite your high blood pressure.
