Blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of our arteries. It is recorded as two numbers: The systolic pressure (as the heart beats) over the diastolic pressure (as the heart relaxes between beats). This measurement is written one above the other, with the systolic number on top and the diastolic number on the bottom. Normal blood pressure is less than 120 mmHg systolic and less than 80 mmHg diastolic.
Our blood pressure rises and falls throughout the day. When it stays elevated over time, it is then called high blood pressure or hypertension. Regardless of race, age, or gender, anyone can develop high blood pressure and it is estimated that one in every four American adults have it.
High blood pressure is dangerous because it makes the heart work too hard and contributes to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). It increases the risk of heart disease and stroke, which are the first and third leading causes of death among Americans. Most of the time, there are no obvious symptoms of high blood pressure which is why it is called the “silent killer.”
RISK FACTORS
A number of factors are strongly associated with high blood pressure. Certain physical traits and lifestyle choices can put one at a greater risk:
Our blood pressure rises and falls throughout the day. When it stays elevated over time, it is then called high blood pressure or hypertension. Regardless of race, age, or gender, anyone can develop high blood pressure and it is estimated that one in every four American adults have it.
High blood pressure is dangerous because it makes the heart work too hard and contributes to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). It increases the risk of heart disease and stroke, which are the first and third leading causes of death among Americans. Most of the time, there are no obvious symptoms of high blood pressure which is why it is called the “silent killer.”
RISK FACTORS
A number of factors are strongly associated with high blood pressure. Certain physical traits and lifestyle choices can put one at a greater risk:
- Salt intake: Among the theories about what causes high blood pressure, most relate to problems that our kidneys appear to have with handling excess salt. Population studies show that societies in which people consume large amounts of salt (such as the United States) have a correspondingly high incidence of high blood pressure. Similarly, in cultures where salt intake is low, the incidence of high blood pressure is extremely low. Other studies show that for most people with hypertension, restricting salt intake helps lower high blood pressure.
- Inherited predisposition: Hypertension also appears to have a genetic component. Some people may be genetically predisposed to have high blood pressure. However, although hypertension runs in some families, these tendencies may actually result as much from shared lifestyles as they do from shared genetic backgrounds
- Obesity: Hypertension is most clearly associated with obesity (weighing more than 20 percent above your desirable body weight). Obesity contributes to an estimated 40 percent or more of all high blood pressure cases in the United States.
- Cigarette smoking: Cigarette smoking and the use of other tobacco products increase blood pressure, both in the short term while you’re smoking or chewing and in the long term, because components in the smoke or chewing tobacco, such as nicotine, cause arteries to constrict.
- Alcohol intake: Drinking small to moderate amounts of alcohol (fewer than two beers, two glasses of wine, or one shot of distilled spirits) per day has been shown in a number of studies to reduce mortality from CAD, Coronary Artery Disease. Higher consumption of alcohol (three or more alcoholic drinks per day), however, clearly is associated with increased blood pressure and heart disease.
- Physical inactivity: People who are physically inactive increase their likelihood of developing high blood pressure. In one large study of more than 16,000 individuals, inactive people were 35 percent more likely to develop hypertension than were active people, regardless of whether they had a family history of high blood pressure or a personal history of being overweight.
What can we do about high blood pressure? The first thing is to visit the doctor for routine checkups. It’s important to know our blood pressure and have it monitored. Regular physicals will determine if the blood pressure is within healthy limits. If necessary, a doctor will discuss treatment options and supportive health care. Meanwhile, a registered dietitian nutritionist can provide dietary strategies to help lower your blood pressure.
Individuals at risk of high blood pressure may be advised to follow the dietary approaches to stop hypertension and to lower their blood pressure. The DASH diet is rich in fruits and vegetables and low in fat and sodium. While the diet benefited participants of all ages, the highest improvements were in middle-aged individuals — typically an age when rates of cardiovascular disease are greatly increased.
Preparation for Blood Pressure Assessments
As caregivers, we will have the opportunity to educate and prepare our clients for blood pressure assessments. The following tips are useful to provide prior to the physical exam to prepare them for blood pressure monitoring:
Don't drink coffee or smoke cigarettes 30 minutes before measuring blood pressure.
Rest for at least five minutes prior to the test with the back supported and feet flat on the ground. The arm should be rested on a table at the level of the heart.
Wear short sleeves so the arm is exposed.
Go to the bathroom prior to the reading. A full bladder can change a blood pressure reading.
It may be necessary to educate patients of the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle to minimize the risk of developing hypertension later in life. Steps to take to adopt a healthy lifestyle include:
Maintaining a healthy weight by following a healthy eating plan, that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, and low fat dairy foods, and choosing and preparing foods with less salt (sodium). Research has shown that following a healthy eating plan can both reduce the risk of developing high blood pressure and lower an already elevated blood pressure. As body weight increases, blood pressure rises.
Increasing physical activity. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends at least 30 minutes of moderate activity on most days of the week. Brisk walking, bicycling, and gardening are examples.
Limiting alcoholic beverages / drinking in moderation. Excessive alcohol intake can increase blood pressure and harm the liver, brain, and heart. Alcoholic drinks should be limited to one drink a day for women; two drinks a day for men.
Quitting smoking. Smoking injures blood vessel walls and speeds up the process of hardening of the arteries. This applies even to filtered cigarettes.
Conclusion
Hypertension is widespread in our community today and places us at increased risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke. As a healthcare professional, we need to have a good understanding of the risks, causes and effects of hypertension, in order to better educate our clients. Promotion of healthy lifestyle behaviors may reduce the risk of developing high blood pressure and decrease the need for the use of costly medications to control blood pressure.
Individuals at risk of high blood pressure may be advised to follow the dietary approaches to stop hypertension and to lower their blood pressure. The DASH diet is rich in fruits and vegetables and low in fat and sodium. While the diet benefited participants of all ages, the highest improvements were in middle-aged individuals — typically an age when rates of cardiovascular disease are greatly increased.
Preparation for Blood Pressure Assessments
As caregivers, we will have the opportunity to educate and prepare our clients for blood pressure assessments. The following tips are useful to provide prior to the physical exam to prepare them for blood pressure monitoring:
Don't drink coffee or smoke cigarettes 30 minutes before measuring blood pressure.
Rest for at least five minutes prior to the test with the back supported and feet flat on the ground. The arm should be rested on a table at the level of the heart.
Wear short sleeves so the arm is exposed.
Go to the bathroom prior to the reading. A full bladder can change a blood pressure reading.
It may be necessary to educate patients of the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle to minimize the risk of developing hypertension later in life. Steps to take to adopt a healthy lifestyle include:
Maintaining a healthy weight by following a healthy eating plan, that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, and low fat dairy foods, and choosing and preparing foods with less salt (sodium). Research has shown that following a healthy eating plan can both reduce the risk of developing high blood pressure and lower an already elevated blood pressure. As body weight increases, blood pressure rises.
Increasing physical activity. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends at least 30 minutes of moderate activity on most days of the week. Brisk walking, bicycling, and gardening are examples.
Limiting alcoholic beverages / drinking in moderation. Excessive alcohol intake can increase blood pressure and harm the liver, brain, and heart. Alcoholic drinks should be limited to one drink a day for women; two drinks a day for men.
Quitting smoking. Smoking injures blood vessel walls and speeds up the process of hardening of the arteries. This applies even to filtered cigarettes.
Conclusion
Hypertension is widespread in our community today and places us at increased risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke. As a healthcare professional, we need to have a good understanding of the risks, causes and effects of hypertension, in order to better educate our clients. Promotion of healthy lifestyle behaviors may reduce the risk of developing high blood pressure and decrease the need for the use of costly medications to control blood pressure.
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