You probably remember the routine from your last physical exam: A nurse wraps a cuff around your upper arm, pumps the cuff full of air, and then lets the air out slowly while listening through a stethoscope. Most likely, you don’t remember feeling anything, except perhaps that odd sensation of the blood pounding in your arm! For most men and women, this is the only time they think about their blood pressure. It is estimated that about 1 in 5 adults worldwide suffer from high blood pressure; this information should encourage the reader to sit up and notice the magnitude of this problem. To make matters worse, an estimated 35% of those with high blood pressure are unaware that they are suffering from this condition.
In this two-part series on hypertension we will attempt to make you aware of the meaning, treatment and importantly, prevention of this global problem.
Understanding blood pressure
Every person needs blood pressure to live. Without it, blood wouldn’t be able to circulate through the body to carry oxygen and so fuel vital organs.
Blood pressure is the pressure your blood exerts against your blood vessel walls as your heart pumps. Blood pressure rises with each heartbeat and falls when the heart relaxes between beats, but there is always a certain amount of pressure in the arteries.
Blood pressure is measured in millimetres of mercury (written as mm Hg). For example, normal blood pressure in adults should be less than 120/80 mm Hg. The higher number (120 in this example) – is called systolic (sys-toh-lik) pressure and represents the pressure at the peak of each heartbeat. The lower, or bottom, number (80 in this example) is called diastolic (dias-toh-lik) and represents the pressure when the heart is resting between beats. The systolic pressure is stated first and the diastolic pressure comes second. For example: 120/80 (120 over 80) means that the systolic pressure is 120 and the diastolic pressure is 80.
What is hypertension?
Hypertension is the medical term for high blood pressure. Most people associate high blood pressure with getting older, so it may seem rather odd that even teens can have the condition. Optimum blood pressure changes with age and body size, and what’s right for an adult is wrong for a preteen, to say nothing of a baby. In some countries it is recommended that blood pressure readings should be part of all visits to the paediatrician (child specialist).
Blood pressure changes from minute to minute and is affected not only by activity and rest, but also by temperature, diet, emotional state, posture, medications and even a beer. That’s why a doctor will take into consideration, at least three blood pressure measurements taken at different times, before determining whether a person has hypertension.
A borderline high systolic pressure of 120 to 139 or a diastolic pressure of 80 to 89 needs to be closely monitored. A blood pressure reading equal to or greater than 140 over 90 is considered high in people over the age of 18.
Most people will have their blood pressure checked during an annual physical exam. Doctors recommend that senior citizens with normal blood pressure get their blood pressure checked at least every three months. If your blood pressure is near the top of the normal range or if you have a family history of blood pressure, you’re at a higher risk of developing hypertension. Your doctor can advise you as to how often you should have your blood pressure checked in this situation.
How does high blood pressure affect the body?
High blood pressure adds to the workload of the heart and arteries. The heart must pump harder and the organs of the body receive the impact of the blood with high pressure pounding on them like a sledgehammer every time the heart beats. If high blood pressure continues for a long time, the heart, arteries and organs may no longer work as well as they should and start failing. It is worthwhile to note that these may all happen over a period of several years, when you may have absolutely none or very few symptoms. Hence the name ‘The silent killer.’
Why should you care about high blood pressure?
– High blood pressure leads to numerous life-threatening conditions, including heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure, the 1st, 3rd, and 9th causes of death globally.
– High blood pressure is a factor in 67% per cent of heart attacks.
– High blood pressure is a factor in 77% of strokes.
– High blood pressure precedes 74% of cases of heart failure.
– High blood pressure is the second leading cause of long-term kidney failure.
– High blood pressure causes more visits to the doctor than any other condition.
– High blood pressure affects brain circulation – creating a higher risk for mental deterioration and Alzheimer’s disease.
With this basic understanding of high blood pressure, we will discuss symptoms, treatment and prevention of this condition next Sunday.
