8/3/2019 Fact Sheet on Hypertension

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What is hypertension?

Hypertension or high blood pressure is defined as a sustainedelevation in mean arterial pressure.

What are the classifications of hypertension?

Primary hypertension - has no definite cause. It is also calledessential hypertension or idiopathic hypertension.

Secondary hypertension- is usually the result of some other primarydisease leading to hypertension such as renal diseases.

How do you know if you are hypertensive?

If your blood pressure is equal or more than 140/90, you have high

blood pressure and may be at risk for its complications.

Who are at risk of having hypertension?

Those who are smokers People who are 10% over their ideal body weight People who are regularly eat salty and fatty foods People who take more than two bottles of beer or two shots of

whiskey each day

People who are constantly under a lot of stress People with sedentary life P

eople whose cholesterol level is over 200 mg/dl People who have diabetes or with fasting bold sugar over 126 mg/dl People with heart disease (chest pains or heart attack) People who had stroke People who have kidney disease or with protein in urineHow can you control high blood pressure?

Healthy diet (take away the salt and the fat) Choose a healthy lifestyleWatch your weight Stop smoking Limit alcohol Exercise regularly Avoid extra caffeine Take blood pressure medication prescribed by the doctorWhat happen when hypertension is left untreated?

One or more of the following may happen to you if yourhypertension is left untreated:

Stroke Blindness Heart attack Heart failure Kidney failure

Are you at risk of hypertension?

Though hypertension can develop anytime in an individual, in most

cases, it does not occur solely by chance.Some are more prone todevelop high blood pressure than others. Know your risk level for

developing hypertension by checking which of the factors belowapplies to you.

Your lifestyle:* You smoke* You are more than 10% above your ideal bodyweight* You regularly eat salty, fried or greasy food* You regularly take alcoholic drinks (more than one ounce of alcohol)

each day* You are constantly under a lot of stress

* You have a sit-down life style, without much physical activity atwork or at home

Your background:

* You are a man above 35 years* A close blood relative has high blood pressure or heart disease

Your medical history:* Your cholesterol level is over 200 mg/dL* You have diabetes, heart disease or kidney disease* You had a stroke

The more boxes you have checked, the higher your risk of having or

developing high blood pressure and its complications. Act now andhave your blood pressure taken! Prevention is your best protectionfrom the SilentKiller.

What do you do once hypertension sets in?

1. Know your blood pressureHypertension is a silent killer. You may feel no symptoms yet the

body is slowly being destroyed by high blood pressure. Be proactive!Be aware of the risk! Have your BP checked regularly, at least onceyearly. If your BP level is borderline or elevated (i.e., 140/90 mmHgand above), see your doctor. So together, you can make a plan tobring your BP under control.

2. Live a healthy lifestyleA healthy lifestyle keeps you less likely to develop high blood

pressure. You will also feel good knowing that you are protectedfrom hypertension. Through initially it may be hard to change yourlifestyle and habits, a resolute determination, help from your friends

and loved ones will make will make it easier to overcome thedifficulties you may encounter along the way.

Ways for a healthy lifestyle:* Exercise regularly* Watch your weight* Keep stress under control* Avoid salty and fatty foods* Avoid too much caffeine

* Limit alcohol intake* Stop smoking

3.Take your medicationIf you are consistently hypertensive despite undergoing a healthy

lifestyle, your doctor will now prescribe a drug to combat your highblood pressure. Medications can safely and effectively lower highblood pressure. Your doctor can explain the medication and its sideeffects. He will closely monitor how well it controls your bloodpressure. Most people have few side effects after beginning theirmedication. However, if you feel different or worse after takingthem, tell your doctor right away.

What is blood pressure?

Blood pressure (BP) is the force created as your heart pumps yourblood and moves it through the blood vessels. This continuous blood

flow provides your body with the oxygen and nutrients it needs. Inshort, it keeps you alive.

Blood pressure is measured through a device calledsphygmomanometer. ABP reading consists of two numbers the topnumber (systolic BP) is the measurement of BP while your heart ispumping, while the bottom number (diastolic BP) is the measurementof your BP while your heart is at rest.

Normal BP is a level belowSystolic 140 mmHgDiastolic 90 mmHg

BP normally fluctuates depending on the time of day, body position(sitting or lying down), mental stress and level of physical e xertion.Thus, BP determination is standardized at the left arm, sittingposition, after 5 10 minutes of rest. Two or three BP levels are takenand the average is considered the final BP value.

You are HYPERTENSIVE if your blood pressure taken two or threetimes in a two-week period is consistently . . .

Systolic 140 mmHg and aboveDiastolic 90 mmHg and above

Why is hypertension a serious problem?

Hypertension kills! Hypertension (HIGH blood pressure), ifuncontrolled, causes damage to various organs in the body resulting toother diseases. The organs usually affected are the following.

1. Heart leads to heart attack and heart failure2. Brain leads to stroke and internal bleeding3. Kidneys leads to renal failure and the need for dialysis4. Eyes leads to blindness

5. Peripheral Blood Vessels leads to peripheral vascular diseases likelimping (claudication) and tissue death(gangrene).

Left untreated, the disease will progress and will eventually lead todeath.