| (HYPERTENSION) |
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| What is It? |
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| Blood pressure has 2 components - the higher component or Systolic blood pressure and the lower component or the Diastolic blood pressure. |
| Hypertension has many causes, which should be treated. If left untreated hypertension leads to major complications. |
| Hypertension and its complications are one of the most important causes of poor health in the Western and developing countries. |
| Even though most patients have no symptoms, treatment of hypertension is most important. The complications of hypertension usually take years to develop, and early treatment is important to prevent these serious complications. |
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| Causes |
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| In most cases, the cause is unknown. |
| A small number of cases result from: |
| Chronic kidney disease. |
| Renal vascular disease. |
| Endocrine disorders and tumors. |
| Atherosclerosis. (Hardening of the arteries). |
| Coarctation of aorta.(severe narrowing of the major artery of the heart) |
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| Signs and Symptoms |
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| Usually no symptoms unless complications develop. |
| Symptoms such as dizzyness, fatigue, nervousness are not caused by uncomplicated hypertension. |
| Following are symptoms of a hypertensive crisis: |
| Headache; drowsiness; confusion. |
| Numbness and tingling in the hands and feet. |
| Coughing up blood; nosebleeds. |
| Severe shortness of breath. |
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| Risk Factors |
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| Adults over 60. |
| Obesity; smoking; stress. |
| Alcoholism. |
| Diet that is high in salt or saturated fat. |
| Sedentary lifestyle. |
| Family history of hypertension, stroke, heart attack or kidney failure. |
| Use of contraceptive pills, steroids and some appetite suppressants or decongestants. |
| High LDL cholesterol levels. |
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| Prevention |
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| Essential hypertension (from unknown causes) cannot be prevented at present. If you have a family history of hypertension, obtain frequent blood-pressure checks. |
| If hypertension is detected early, treatment that includes diet, exercise, stress management, smoking cessation, alcohol reduction, and medication can usually prevent complications. |
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| Diagnosis and Treatment |
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| General Measures |
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| Diagnostic tests may include laboratory studies of blood; urinalysis, ECG, and X-ray studies. |
| Other investigations are done if complications arise, or if underlying disease is suspected. |
| Overall treatment goals will be individualized and may involve weight loss; smoking cessation; exercise program; reduction in alcohol consumption; and lifestyle changes to reduce stress. |
| Learn to take your own blood pressure and monitor it daily. |
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| Medication |
|
| Anti-hypertensive medications can reduce blood pressure if more conservative measures don't work. |
| Don't take non-prescription cold and sinus remedies. These contain drugs, such as ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, that raise blood pressure. |
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| Activity |
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| Normal activity with exercise program at least 3 times a week. This helps reduce stress and maintain normal body weight; it may lower blood pressure. Seek medical advice (your doctor or an exercise physiologist) about an exercise prescription. |
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|
| Diet |
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| Low-salt diet. |
| Reducing diet if overweight. |
| Low cholesterol diet if lipids found to be elevated. |
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| Possible Complications |
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| Stroke. |
| Heart attack. |
| Congestive heart failure and pulmonary edema. |
| Kidney failure. |
| Retinal disease. |
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| Prognosis |
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| With treatment, complications are preventable (except for possible side effects of drugs). |
| Life expectancy is near normal. |
| Without treatment, life expectancy is reduced because of the likelihood of heart attack or stroke. |
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