Hypertension

Introduction
 What is Hypertension?
Various scientist have defined hypertension in various ways, here is a very simple
definition to what hypertension is: High Blood Pressure, a
edical condition in which constricted arterial blood vessels increase the
resistance to blood flow, causing an increase in blood pressure against vessel
walls.
Simply put, as a common disorder in which blood pressure remains abnormally
high.
 Types of Hypertension
• Types:
– 1. Primary or Essentials
• Chronic high blood pressure without a source or
associated with any other disease
• Most common form of hypertension
– 2. Secondary
• Elevation of blood pressure associated with
another disease such as kidney disease
 Causes
• Genetics-some people are prone to hypertension simply
based off of their genetic makeup
• Family History- your risk for high blood pressure/hypertension
increases if it is in your family history
• Environment
– Inactivity
– Stress
– Obesity
– Alcohol
– High Sodium Diet
– Tobacco Use
– Age
– Menopausal Medications
 Further Complications of High
Blood Pressure
• Thickening of the heart muscle
• Increased workload of the heart
• May lead to other conditions such as:
– Heart attack
– Stroke
– Renal (Kidney) Failure
– Loss of vision
 Who is at Risk??
• African Americans have a higher risk of high
blood pressure/hypertension
• 40% of all African Americans in the US will
develop hypertension in comparison to 27%
in white populations
• This is due to:
– African Americans respond differently to Blood
Pressure medications
– African Americans have a higher sensitivity to salt
• ½ teaspoon of salt can raise your blood pressure
5mmHg
 Signs and Symptoms
• Diagnosed through repeat blood pressure
readings
• Primary Hypertension does not have
symptoms other than high blood pressure
• Secondary Hypertension
– Most likely caused by Renal Disorders,
symptoms you will see:
• Decreased urine formation
• Increased sodium and water retention
 Treatments
• Step 1:
– Lifestyle modifications
• Diet and exercise
• Limit alcohol and tobacco use
• Reduce stress factors
• Step 2:
– If lifestyle changes are not enough, drug therapy will
be introduced
• Step 3:
– If previous steps don’t work, drug dose or type will
be changed or another drug is added
• Step 4:
– More medications are added until blood pressure is
controlled
 Prevention
• Lifestyle changes
• Having regular checkups with your
physician
• Education
– Being aware of your blood pressure and where
it should be
– Understanding your personal risk factors
– Engaging in community health awareness
acitivities
Living With High Blood Pressure
• Living with High Blood Pressure requires a lot of
lifestyle changes
– Diet
– Exercise
• Taking prescribed medications as required by your
doctor
• Recognize it is an ongoing process which requires
regular checkups, taking medication regularly and
checking blood pressure regularly
• Recognizing there can be complications with
pregnancy while living with high blood pressure
– Damage to kidneys and other organs in mother and fetus
– Low birth weight
– Preeclampsia