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Hypertension Research
Hypertension Research
Hypertension Research
“Hypertension is a significant risk factor for coronary artery disease and stroke, a leading
cause of death and disability worldwide” failure (Nicoll, R and Henein, M. Y, 2010). People that
have hypertension increase their chances of getting other diseases. Those diseases include kidney
disease, heart failure, coronary heart disease and dementia (Nicoll, R and Henein, M. Y, 2010).
Hypertension, or high blood, pressure is a disease that many people all over the world suffer
from. Anyone can have high blood pressure, but there are certain factors that can increase the
risk such as: sex, age, weight, and many more. In some cases, the disease can be hereditary, but
there are also ways people can control their high blood pressure. The main ways people can
The development of hypertension can start from an unhealthy diet. Diets high in salt,
sugar, alcohol, saturated fats, etc. can all lead the development of this disease. High amounts of
stress with no management can also lead to high blood pressure. There are different factors to
which hypertension is diagnosed depending on the severity, whether there are other diseases
First, for most adults younger than 50 years, despite the lack of definitive clinical trial
data, the goal BP of less than 120/80 mm Hg is recommended based on the wealth of
increasing BP levels above this goal. In the presence of CVD, chronic renal disease, or
2017)
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The author of the article states that there is different diagnosis for hypertension. When other
diseases are present in the patients there can be a wider range of what is considered a healthy
blood pressure. That’s why the author states that people with other diseases with less than 130
mmHg for their systole blood pressure is acceptable. The average population less than 50 years
of age should fall under 120 mmHg systolic and 80 mmHg diastolic measurements. The systolic
measurement is the measure of the pressure in the heart and blood vessels when the heart
contracts or pumps. The diastolic measurement is the pressure of the heart relaxing or at rest.
When the patients have a blood pressure higher than these, they will be diagnosed with
hypertension. There are ways to decrease or do away with the disease, such as, diet, exercise,
prescribed medications.
countries, but the United States has a higher number of hypertensive patients. A way to fix or
control this is by eating a healthy diet. Diets containing a high amount of salt, saturated fats and
others, with not a lot of fruits and vegetables can increase the change of developing
hypertension. Unhealthy eating can also lead to other diseases. Some medications can be
prescribed to patients, but according to this article they don’t always work as well as they should,
“Overall, 68% of adults with hypertension were using anti-hypertensive medication. Over 64%
of adults who were taking antihypertensive medication achieved BP less than 140/90 mm Hg”
(Yoon J. H. and T. L, 2008). There are ways to treat hypertension other than diet including, beta
channel blockers (CCB), and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBD) (Gupta, R., & Guptha, S,
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2010). There are many types of pharmaceutical treatments, but diet and exercise are extremely
Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) is a diet that is high in fruits, calcium,
and vegetables and low in sodium (Gupta, R., & Guptha, S, 2010). This diet was specifically
made for people that have high blood pressure. The DASH diet is also low in red meat, sugary
foods or drinks, processed foods, and saturated fat. The diet is high in fish, poultry, whole grains,
olive oil, and low-fat dairy products. Other ways to reduce blood pressure is to stop smoking,
manage stress, and only consume alcohol in moderation (Nicoll, R and Henein, M. Y, 2010). The
author of an article states, “The PREMIER trial found that the DASH diet combined with alcohol
and salt reduction, weight loss, and aerobic exercise achieved a reduction of 14.2/7.4 mmHg
among hypertensives” (Nicoll, R and Henein, M. Y, 2010). This study has shown a significant
decrease in the systolic and diastolic pressure. The decrease was achieved by following along
with the DASH diet, proving that it works well. Studies have been done to show that with an
increase of salt the systolic and diastolic pressure can increase. The studies also show that
potassium and blood pressure have an inverse relationship. So, with the increase of potassium,
from fruits and vegetables, the systolic pressure went down by around 4.4 mmHg and the
diastolic pressure went down by 2.5 mmHg. It is recommended to receive potassium from fruits
and vegetables, rather than a supplement pill. Alcohol should only be consumed in moderation;
the usual recommendation is one alcoholic beverage per day. A study shows that the blood
pressure will go up with consumption of more than two drinks. An average alcoholic drink is a
activity and blood pressure also have an inverse relationship. People with hypertension should
get at least 30 minutes of exercise majority of the week. Physical activity lowers the amount of
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resistance in the heart which will lower blood pressure. Stress management and yoga are also
proven to decrease blood pressure (Gupta, R., & Guptha, S, 2010). Another successful diet is the
Mediterranean diet. This diet consists of an increase of green tea, fish containing omega-3, and
an increase in garlic. This diet if relatively low in protein and high in vegetables and oils. This
diet allows for the consumption of wine in moderation. Also, the use of herbs and spices for
flavor rather than salt. When patients are regularly eating healthy diet to control their high blood
pressure there is less cost involved with buying prescription medications. There is also no burden
of the side effects that come along with medication (Nicoll, R and Henein, M. Y, 2010).
Evidence and studies have shown that blood pressure with go down when interacting with a
There are many ways to help control hypertension. These studies and articles show that
by changing the way people eat can decrease blood pressure and risk for hypertension and so
many other diseases that go along with an unhealthy diet. The diets and exercise can lead to a
longer and healthier life. Dieting and exercising are both in the control of the patient and their
choices and lifestyle factors can impact their health in good or bad ways. The DASH diet and the
Mediterranean diet are both successful in decreasing high blood pressure. Looking into the
future, if people can eat healthier, this could not be the risk factor to the leading causes of death
anymore.
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References
Gupta, R., & Guptha, S. (2010, November). Strategies for initial management of hypertension.
Nicoll, R., & Henein, M. Y. (2010, December 01). Hypertension and lifestyle modification: How
and Control in Western Europe and the United States. Retrieved from
<https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/article-abstract/411524>.
Yoon, J, H., & T, L. (2008, January). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National
Center for Health Statistics, Hyattsville, Maryland 20782, USA. Retrieved from
<https://europepmc.org/abstract/med/19389317>.