general health FEATURE•
Hypertension, or high
blood pressure, is a serious condition that affects about one in three American adults, and two-thirds of people over age 65.
B
They’re counting on you
Healthy.
to stay
From annual exams and screening tests to treatment of illness or injury, count on us for a full range of health services to fit your needs and your busy schedule.
• Diabetes • Bronchitis • Hypertension • Fever • Flu • Asthma • Earache
Conyers Medical Clinic 2601 Salem Road, Conyers, GA • 770-922-1880
Ganesh N. Kini M.D.
lood pressure is the force of blood as it pumps through your arteries. The more blood your heart pumps and the narrower your arteries are, the higher the blood pressure. Normal blood pressure is an average systolic blood pressure of 120 mm Hg and an average diastolic pressure of 80 mm Hg -- often said as “120 over 80.” The top number measures the pressure in arteries when your heart beats. The bottom number measures the pressure between beats. Someone has high blood pressure when the average top number is above 140 mm Hg, the bottom number is above 90 mm Hg, or both. High blood pressure raises the risk of heart disease and stroke, the leading causes of death among Americans. It is called the "silent killer" because you usually don't have any symptoms when your blood pressure is too high. Hypertension, high cholesterol, and obesity are the biggest reasons people get atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. Signs and Symptoms Most people don't know they have high blood pressure because they have no symptoms. Rarely, some people may have a mild headache when their blood pressure is high. Advanced cases of hypertension may cause these symptoms: • Severe headache • Confusion • Nausea • Visual disturbances • Seizure
Article provided by
University of Maryland Medical Center
Causes • Genes for high blood pressure • Low levels of nitric oxide, a substance in your body that makes blood vessels open • Insulin resistance • Being overweight or obese Risk Factors The following factors increase your risk for high blood pressure: • Being overweight • Not getting enough exercise • Having a family history of hypertension • Being African-American • Being older • Drinking too much alcohol or smoking • Eating a lot of salt (sodium) • Stress • Having long-lasting conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, or high cholesterol. Diagnosis Each time your heart beats, or contracts, it pumps blood into your arteries. The pressure of the blood against the artery walls is called systolic blood pressure, when blood pressure is at its maximum. When your heart is at rest, between beats, the blood pressure falls, which is known as the diastolic pressure. A person with high blood pressure has an average systolic blood pressure above 140 mm Hg and/or a diastolic blood pressure above 90 mm Hg -- usually written as 140/90. To diagnose hypertension, your doctor will check your blood pressure using an inflatable cuff and a
stethoscope. If it's high, your doctor will check your pulse rate, examine your neck for swollen veins or an enlarged thyroid gland, listen to your heart for murmurs, and look at your eyes for damaged blood vessels in the retina. If your doctor thinks you have high blood pressure, you may be asked to measure your blood pressure at home or to come back for another appointment. Additional laboratory and blood tests can find out if it is secondary or primary hypertension. Preventive Care There are several ways you can prevent high blood pressure. • Stay at a proper weight • Cut back on salt • Get more exercise • Limit alcohol • Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables Treatment If you have high blood pressure, you and your doctor will work to reduce the risk of serious complications, including heart disease and stroke, by getting it under control. Ideally, you want your blood pressure to be 120/80 mm Hg. But even lowering it some can help. In the early stages of hypertension when blood pressure isn't very high, your doctor may tell you to make lifestyle changes for 6 - 12 months. After this time, if blood pressure is still high, you will probably need medication. You'll still need to make changes to your diet and exercise habits, even if your doctor prescribes medication.
WINTER 2014 | HEALTHY IN ROCKDALE
23