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High Blood Pressure and Vascular Disease
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Checking Your Blood Pressure
Check blood pressure when you first wake up and before dinner
Sit in a chair with back support for 3-5 minutes without talking. Rest arm on a firm surface, such as the arm of the chair, and keep it at heart level.
Do not drink or eat anything containing caffeine or alcohol at least 30 minutes before checking blood pressure.
Do not smoke 30 minutes before taking blood pressure.
Do not cross your legs while taking blood pressure.
Record blood pressure readings and report these to your doctor at your next visit.
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Approximately 25 percent of the United States' population has been diagnosed with hypertension - high blood pressure, a major risk factor of vascular disease. Because the condition is so prevalent, and because it often comes with few if any noticeable symptoms, some patients find it hard to take treatment seriously. Studies show that only 21 percent of those being treated keep their condition under control. It's a mistake that could be fatal.
"If it is detected and treated effectively with lifestyle modifications and medications, high blood pressure can be lowered indefinitely," Angela Lewis, D.O., OLBH primary care physician, said. "If left uncontrolled, hypertension can cause severe damage to virtually every part of the body - most notably the heart, the brain, and the kidneys."
Heart: Dealing with high blood pressure over the long term puts a severe strain on the heart and the entire cardiovascular system. Chronically high blood pressure nearly always leads to atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. With the narrowing of the artery, blood flow becomes even more difficult and blood pressure increases even more. "When a blood vessel leading to the heart becomes fully or partially blocked, the result is angina - a heart-related chest pain," Lewis explained. "The heart is crying out for oxygen, and if the blockage becomes great enough, or if a clot forms on the blockage, the result is a heart attack."
Brain: The most common type of stroke is a brain attack - caused by a full or partial blockage of a blood vessel serving the brain. "When any part of the brain fails to receive the blood it needs, it dies and the result is usually death or severe disability," Lewis said. "Another type of stroke strongly linked to uncontrolled hypertension occurs when a damaged blood vessel ruptures and leaks blood into the brain. In most cases, this causes a violent headache followed by a collapse into unconsciousness." Whatever the symptoms, a stroke is a medical emergency requiring immediate attention.
Kidneys: The effect of elevated blood pressure is particularly damaging to the tiny blood vessels in the kidneys, interfering with the organs' ability to filter blood effectively. "Severe hypertension can damage the kidneys in a fairly short period," Lewis said. "As kidney damage occurs, it makes blood pressure spike even higher. Hypertension is the second leading cause of kidney failure."
Detected early, hypertension can be successfully controlled for many years. "Many effective medications are available, and should be accompanied by a change in lifestyle: regular exercise; weight loss; a heart-healthy diet high in fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products; and reduction of sodium intake to less than 2,000 milligrams daily," Lewis said.
For more information on high blood pressure and its risks, speak to your family doctor. If you do not have a family doctor, the OLBH CareLine can refer you to one who meets your needs; simply call (606) 833-CARE (2273).
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