Akatamanso Health Team Weekly Health Discussion The NDC Cares Hypertension/High Blood Pressure

 

*Overview*

Blood pressure is the force exerted by circulating blood against the walls of the body’s arteries, the major blood vessels in the body. Hypertension is when blood pressure is too high.

Blood pressure is written as two numbers. The first *(systolic)* number represents the pressure in blood vessels when the heart contracts or beats. The second *(diastolic) * number represents the pressure in the vessels when the heart rests between beats.
*As a general guide: *
Category Blood Pressure

*Normal * Under 130/80 mmHg
*Stage I Hypertension (mild)* 130-139/OR diastolic between 80-89 mmHg
*Stage 2 Hypertension (moderate)*. 140/90 mmHg or higher
*Hypertensive Crisis (get emergency care)*. 180/120 mmHg or higher

*Symptoms *
High blood pressure is often called the “silent killer” because you may not be aware that anything is wrong, but the damage is still occurring within your body.
When symptoms do occur
• early morning headaches,
• nosebleeds
• irregular heart rhythms🫀
• vision changes 👁️
• buzzing in the ears.
• Severe hypertension can cause fatigue, nausea, vomiting, confusion, anxiety, chest pain, and muscle tremors

*Type of Hypertension *

• Primary (also called essential) high blood pressure. Causes of this most common type of high blood pressure include ageing and unhealthy habits like not getting enough exercise.
• Secondary high blood pressure. Causes of this type of high blood pressure include different medical problems (for example kidney or hormonal problems) or sometimes a medication you’re taking.

*Risk Factors *
• Have family members who have high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease or diabetes.
• Are of African descent 🤵🏾‍♂️
• Are older than 55. 👴🏾
• Are overweight.
• Don’t get enough exercise. 🚳
• Eat foods high in sodium (salt). 🧂
• Smoke or use tobacco products. 🚭
• Are a heavy drinker (more than two drinks a day in men and more than one drink a day in women)🥃

*Worst Case Scenarios *
• Stroke.
• Heart attack.
• Peripheral vascular disease.
• Kidney disease/failure.
• Complications during pregnancy.
• Eye damage.
• Vascular dementia.

*Management of Hypertension *
• Check your blood pressure regularly with a home blood pressure monitor. 🩻
• Eat healthy foods that are low in salt and fat. 🍇🍉🍊🍎🥭
• Reach and maintain your best body weight.🏋🏽
• Reduced alcohol intake
• Be more physically active.
• Quit smoking and/or using tobacco products.
• Work on managing anger and managing stress. 🧘🏾‍♂️

Finally, visit your doctor 👨‍⚕️ for regular checkups

*Health is Wealth *
©️Akatamanso Health Team 🇦🇪⚕️🩺🇦🇪

By Deladem J. Dzikunu