HYPERTENSION, also known as High Blood Pressure affects millions

even children and teens. It is the most common cardiovascular disease.

Blood pressure refers to the force of blood pushing against artery walls as it
travels through the body. Like air in a tire or water in a hose, blood fills
arteries to a certain capacity. Just as too much air pressure can damage a
tire, high blood pressure can threaten healthy arteries and lead to life
threatening condition such as heart disease and stroke.

The exact cause of hypertension is not known. Several factors play a role
in its development, including

Smoking

Being overweight or obese

Lack of physical activity

Too much salt in diet

Too much alcohol consumption

Stress

Old age

Genetics

Family history

Chronic kidney disease

Adrenal and thyroid disorders

In as many as 95% of reported high blood pressure cases in the United

States, the underlining cause cannot be determined. The dangerous aspect
of hypertension is that you may not know that you have it. The only way to
find out is to get your blood pressure checked on a regular basis.

If your blood pressure is extremely high, there may be certain symptoms to

look out for including;

Severe headache
Fatigue or confusion

Vision problems

Chest pains

Difficult breathing

Irregular heartbeat

Blood in urine

DIAGNOSTIC TESTING

Blood pressure is most often measured with a device known as

sphygmomanometer which consist of a stethoscope a cuff, dial, pump and
valve. Blood pressure is measured in two ways.

Systolic blood pressure is the pressure during a heartbeat.

Diastolic blood pressure is the pressure between heartbeats.

Normal blood pressure is about 120/80

Pre-hypertension range is 120-139/80-89

Stage 1 high blood pressure is 140-159/90-99

Stage 2 high blood pressure is 160 and above/100 and above.

Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) is a test that measures the electrical

activity, rate and rhythm of your heartbeat via electrodes attached to your
arms, legs and chest. The results are written on graph paper.

Echocardiogram: Is a test that uses ultrasound waves to provide pictures

of the heart’s valves and chambers so the pumping action of the heart can
be studied and measurement of the chambers and wall thickness of the
heart can be recorded.
PREVENTION AND TREATMENT

A critical step in preventing and treating high blood pressure is a healthy

life style. You can lower your BP with the following.

Losing weight if you are overweight or obese.

Quitting smoking – nicotine decrease oxygen to the heart, increase blood

pressure and the heart rate increase blood clotting and damage the cell
that line coronary artery and the blood vessel.

Eating a healthy diet, (more fruits and vegetables and low fat dairy
products, less saturated and total fat.)

Getting regular aerobic exercise (such as brisk walking at least 30 min a

day several days a week.

Limiting alcohol to two drinks a day for men and one drink a day for
women if possible.

Reducing stress can help lower high blood pressure. Stress is a normal
part of life but too much stress can lead to emotional and psychological and
even physical problems including heart disease heart blood pressure, chest
pain or irregular heart beat.

MEDICATIONS FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

Angiotensin–Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors widen or dilate your

blood vessels to improve the amount of blood your heart pumps and lower
blood pressure. Example

Capoter (captoil)

Vasitec (enalapril)

Priniril, zestril (lisinopril)

Lotensin (benazepril)
Side Effects

Cough, red itchy skin rash, dizziness, salty or metallic taste or decreased
ability to taste, sore throat, fever, high potassium level, severe vomiting or
diarrhea.

Treatment with Angiotensin ll Receptor blocker (ARB)

Angiotensin ll receptor blockers decrease chemicals that narrow the blood

vessel, allowing blood to flow more easily therefore lowering blood
pressure. Example

Atacand (candesartan)

Avapro (irberastn)

Benicar (olmesartan)

Side Effects

Dizziness light headedness, faintness upon rising, diarrhea muscle cramps,

pains, respiratory infection, severe vomiting, cough, abnormalities in blood
chemistry tests.

Treatment with Diuretics

Diuretics often called ‘water pill’ help your body get rid of unneeded water
and salt through the urine which help lower blood pressure. Example

Furosemide (Lasix)

Bumetanide (Bumex)

Chlorothiazide (Duiril)

Beta – Blockers

Beta – blockers block the effects of adrenaline in the heart. The result is
that the heart doesn’t have to work as hard which in turn lowers blood
pressure. Example

Lepressor (metoprolol)
Sectral (acebutolol)

Tenormin (atenolol)

Kerlone (betaxolol)

Zebeta (bisoprolol)

Side Effects

Dizziness lightheadedness, fatigue , slow heart beat, depression, edema ,

sleeping problems, drowsiness, trouble breathing ,cold hands and feet.

Beta – blockers should not be used if you have bad asthma or emphysema,
extremely low blood pressure (hypotension) heart block or slow pulse
(bradycardia).

These drugs should always be taken with food or just after meals, food
reduces the side effect. Monitor pulse daily if pulse is slower than they
should be consult physician.

Calcium Channel Blockers

They work by slowing the movement of calcium in the cells of the heart and
the blood vessel walls which makes it easier for the heart to pump and
widens blood vessels. As a result the heart doesn’t have to work as hard
and blood pressure lowers. Example

Norvas (amlodipine)

Perdil (felodipine)

Cardene (nicardipine)

Adalta (nifedipine)

Take with food. Do not drink alcohol while taking calcium channel blocker.

IF HYPERTENSION IS NOT TREATED

People who have high blood pressure are 4 to 6 times more likely to have
stroke. Overtime, hypertension leads to atherosclerosis and hardening of
the large arteries. This in turn leads to blockage of and weaken of the walls
of small blood vessels in the brain, causing them to balloon and burst. The
risk of stroke is related to how high the blood pressure is

Hypertension and heart disease:

Hypertensive heart disease is the no.1 cause of death associated with high
blood pressure including heart failure, ischemic heart disease and left
ventricular hypertrophy (excessive thickening of the heart muscle)

Hypertension and kidney disease:

Hypertension can cause damage to the blood vessel and filters of the
kidney making removal of waste from the body difficult.

Hypertension and eye disease:

Hypertension can cause damage to the blood vessels in the retina (the
area at the back of the eye where images focus) This eye disease is known
as hypertensive retinopathy the damage can be serious if hypertension is
not treated.

Hypertension and Diabetes

Hypertension is an important risk factors for the development and

worsening of many complications of diabetes, including diabetic eye
disease. Having diabetes adversely affects the arteries predisposing them
atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) which in turn can cause
hypertension if not treated.

Hypertension and Erectile Dysfunction

High blood pressure keeps the arteries that carry blood into the penis from
dilating the way they are supposed to. It also makes the smooth muscles in
the penis lose its ability to relax. As a result, not enough blood flows into
the penis to make it erect.