Hypertension
is the most under treated cardiovascular
condition in the United States today,
affecting roughly 20 percent of the population
(50 million people). It can lead to heart
disease, strokes and other health problems.
Yet, according to a 1997 study by the
Joint National Committee on Prevention,
Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of
High Blood Pressure, only 27 percent of
individuals with high blood pressure are
adequately controlled, leaving 36 million
people at risk of health problems. Physicians
need to be more aggressive in controlling
hypertension with medications, and the
public needs to be made more aware of
the risks.
Although
doctors define high blood pressure as
a blood pressure above 140/90 mmHg, we
know that if you are otherwise healthy
and not on blood pressure medications,
the lower your blood pressure the better
off you are, and the longer your life
expectancy. Blood pressure is very variable,
and is influenced greatly by activity,
foods, and medications. Although there
are no absolute rules for what constitutes
a normal blood pressure, 120/80 mm Hg
is considered desirable for adults without
hypertension. For individuals with hypertension,
a desirable blood pressure on treatment
is 135-140/82-86 mm Hg. Blood pressure
does not necessarily go up as we get older.
Hypertension (defined as blood pressure
greater than 140/90 mm Hg) is more common
in older individuals, and isolated systolic
hypertension (elevated 'top number', with
normal diastolic, or 'bottom number')
is especially more common in the elderly.
High blood pressure (hypertension) is one of the major causes of heart disease and stroke. One out of every five Canadians is adversely affected.
Hypertension is often called the “silent killer” because there are not necessarily any visible symptoms for high blood pressure. Sometimes a physician or healthcare professional detects hypertension when measuring a person’s blood pressure. Unfortunately, if left undetected serious internal damage eventually results in the heart (heart attack), brain (stroke) or blood vessels (hardening of the arteries).
Certain factors do increase a person’s chance of having high blood pressure. These factors include: Age, Race, Stress, Family history of high blood pressure, Obesity, Alcohol, Salt, Diabetes and Sedentary Lifestyle.
Many individuals find that they become apprehensive and tense while having their blood pressure taken at a doctor’s office or hospital. This can cause falsely elevated readings, commonly known as “white coat hypertension”. One way to determine this is to take your own readings in the comfort of your home and compare them with readings from your doctor. Home monitoring is recommended by more than two out of three physicians for their patients with hypertension. Self-measurement at home supplements the doctor’s readings and provides a more accurate and complete blood pressure history. Moreover, clinical studies have shown that detection and treatment of hypertension is improved when patients both consult their physicians and monitor their own blood pressure at home.
It has been known for some time that the incidence of high blood pressure is higher in people with diabetes than it is in the general non-diabetic population. However, a major study, called the United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study (released in 1998) showed something new: amongst patients with both diabetes and high blood pressure, control of blood pressure was crucial in the management of diabetes.
Age, weight, time of day, altitude, climate, and even the time of year are some of the sources of normal variations that can influence blood pressure. Other common variations are caused by physical activity, caffeine, alcohol, medication, and certain foods. These variations are normal. Keep a record of your measurements and consult your doctor about any variations.
