Hypertension

What is hypertension?
Hypertension or high blood pressure is defined as a sustained elevation in mean arterial pressure.

Hypertension, NCDPC Retrieved August 21, 2009, Web site: http://www.doh.gov.ph/node/1502

What are the classifications of hypertension?

 Primary hypertension - has no definite cause.  It is also called essential hypertension or
idiopathic hypertension.
 Secondary hypertension- is usually the result of some other primary diseaes leading to
hypertension such as renal diseases.

Hypertension, NCDPC Retrieved August 21, 2009, Web site: http://www.doh.gov.ph/node/1503

How do you know if you are hypertensive?

If your blood pressure is equal or more than 140/90, you have high blood pressure and may be at
risk for its complications.

Hypertension, NCDPC Retrieved August 21, 2009, Web site: http://www.doh.gov.ph/node/1504

Who are at risk of having hypertension?

 Those who are smokers
 People who are 10% over their ideal body weight
 People who are regularly eat salty and fatty foods
 People who take more than two bottles of beer or two shots of whiskey each day
 People who are constantly under a lot of stress
 People with sedentary life
 People whose cholesterol level is over 200 mg/dl
 People who have diabetes or with fasting bolld sugar over 126 mg/dl
 People with heart disease (chest pains or heart attack)
 People who had stroke
 People who have kidney disease or with protein in urine

Hypertension, NCDPC Retrieved August 21, 2009, Web site: http://www.doh.gov.ph/node/1505

How can you control high blood pressure?

  Healthy diet (take away the salt and the fat)
 choose a healthy lifestyle
 watch your weight
 stop smoking
 limit alcohol
 exercise regularly
 avoid extra caffeine
 take blood pressure medication prescribed by the doctor

Hypertension, NCDPC Retrieved August 21, 2009, Web site: http://www.doh.gov.ph/node/1506

What happen when hypertension is left

untreated?
One or more of the following may happen to you if your hypertension is left untreated:

 stroke
 blindness
 heart attack
 heart failure
 kidney failure

Hypertension, NCDPC Retrieved August 21, 2009, Web site: http://www.doh.gov.ph/node/1507

Are you at risk of hypertension?

Though hypertension can develop anytime in an individual, in most cases, it does not occur
solely by chance. Some are more prone to develop high blood pressure than others. Know your
risk level for developing hypertension by checking which of the factors below applies to you.

Your lifestyle:

* you smoke
* you are more than 10% above your ideal bodyweight
* you regularly eat salty, fried or greasy food
* you regularly take alcoholic drinks (more than one ounce of alcohol) each day
* you are constantly under a lot of stress
* you have a “sit-down” life style, without much physical activity at work or at home

Your background:

* you are a man above 35 years

* a close blood relative has high blood pressure or heart disease
Your medical history:

* your cholesterol level is over 200 mg/dL

* you have diabetes, heart disease or kidney disease
* you had a stroke

The more boxes you have checked, the higher your risk of having or developing high blood
pressure and its complications. Act now and have your blood pressure taken! Prevention is your
best protection from the Silent Killer.

Hypertension, NCDPC. Retrieved August 21, 2009, Web site: http://www.doh.gov.ph/node/1602

What do you do once hypertension sets in?

1. Know your blood pressure

Hypertension is a silent killer. You may feel no symptoms yet the body is slowly being destroyed
by high blood pressure.

Be proactive! Be aware of the risk! Have your BP checked regularly, at least once yearly. If your
BP level is borderline or elevated (i.e., 140/90 mmHg and above), see your doctor. So together,
you can make a plan to bring your BP under control.

2. Live a healthy lifestyle

A healthy lifestyle keeps you less likely to develop high blood pressure. You will also feel good
knowing that you are protected from hypertension.

Through initially it may be hard to change your lifestyle and habits, a resolute determination,
help from your friends and loved ones will make will make it easier to overcome the difficulties
you may encounter along the way.

Ways for a healthy lifestyle

* Exercise regularly
* Watch your weight
* Keep stress under control
* Avoid salty and fatty foods
* Avoid too much caffeine
* Limit alcohol intake
* Stop smoking

3. Take your medication

If you are consistently hypertensive despite undergoing a healthy lifestyle, your doctor will now
prescribe a drug to combat your high blood pressure.

Medications can safely and effectively lower high blood pressure. Your doctor can explain the
medication and its side effects. He will closely monitor how well it controls your blood pressure.
Most people have few side effects after beginning their medication. However, if you feel
different or worse after taking them, tell your doctor right away.

Hypertension, NCDPC. Retrieved August 21, 2009, Web site: http://www.doh.gov.ph/node/1604

What is blood pressure?

Blood pressure (BP) is the force created as your heart pumps your blood and moves it through
the blood vessels. This continuous blood flow provides your body with the oxygen and nutrients
it needs. In short, it keeps you alive.

Blood pressure is measured through a device called sphygmomanometer. A BP reading consists

of two numbers – the top number (systolic BP) is the measurement of BP while your heart is
pumping, while the bottom number (diastolic BP) is the measurement of your BP while your
heart is at rest.

Normal BP is a level below

Systolic 140 mmHg

Diastolic 90 mmHg

BP normally fluctuates depending on the time of day, body position (sitting or lying down),
mental stress and level of physical exertion. Thus, BP determination is standardized – at the left
arm, sitting position, after 5 – 10 minutes of rest. Two or three BP levels are taken and the
average is considered the final BP value.

You are HYPERTENSIVE if your blood pressure taken two or three times in a two-week period
is consistently . . .

Systolic 140 mmHg and above

Diastolic 90 mmHg and above

Hypertension, NCDPC. Retrieved August 21, 2009, Web site: http://www.doh.gov.ph/node/1603

Why is hypertension a serious problem?

Hypertension kills! Hypertension (HIGH blood pressure), if uncontrolled, causes damage to
various organs in the body resulting to other diseases. The organs usually affected are the
following.
1. Heart – leads to heart attack and heart failure
2. Brain – leads to stroke and internal bleeding
3. Kidneys – leads to renal failure and the need for dialysis
4. Eyes – leads to blindness
5. Peripheral Blood Vessels – leads to peripheral vascular diseases like limping (claudication)
and tissue death (gangrene).

Left untreated, the disease will progress and will eventually lead to death

Hypertension, NCDPC. Retrieved August 21, 2009, Web site: http://www.doh.gov.ph/node/1601