Essay on Factors Affecting Blood Pressure

Modern medical advancements have significantly decreased the prevalence and severity of infectious disease as well as the treatment of acute, traumatic conditions. Pharmacological research has also gained insight into the management of chronic disease. Still, there is an epidemic of chronic, treatable diseases like stroke, heart disease, and kidney disease. Hypertension proves to be the underlying factor associated with these diseases. Hypertension is often referred to as the silent killer because of its indication in deadly disease, and the importance of monitoring ones blood pressure is vital. Lifestyle, diet, and genetic predisposition are all factors of high blood pressure. Chronic high blood pressure above safe levels, known as hypertension, puts elevated physical stress on the renal and cardiovascular systems. By controlling this factor in patients, healthcare providers can decrease cardiovascular events, improve health outcomes, and decrease overall mortality. Patient education is often overlooked in its role in the control and prevention of high blood pressure. This paper analyzes the causes and physiology behind high blood pressure as they relate to the current nursing interventions. The role of nurses is discussed in relation to patient education regarding high blood pressure, and educational approaches are analyzed.

The aim of this essay is to reflect and discuss my knowledge acquired in a simulated learning skill experience which forms part of my training as a student nurse in accordance with the Nurses and Midwifery Council (NMC 2010).

During my research, I personally have found that blood pressure levels often equate with low birth weight, body mass, maternal age, racial factors, childhood obesity, insulin levels, an elevated blood pressure during childhood, and a positive family history. In fact, children from hypertensive families generally tend to have higher blood pressure levels than kids from normotensive families. Besides, there is also a greater association in blood pressure levels between fathers and their children.

Physical exercise can also help the weight loss process, in turn lowering high blood pressure. Excessive smoking and drinking also leads to hypertension due to hardening of the arteries. Family history and high stress levels should also be determined if present in KH as they play a large role in hypertension as well (Mayo Clinic).

The blood circulates around the body. The heart contract and relax, this mechanism of heart makes the blood to flow in the arteries to the body from heart and come back from body to heart through veins. The arteries carry oxygenated blood or oxygen rich blood and the veins carry deoxygenated blood or oxygen poor blood. This flow creates the pressure on the arterial wall and the pressure that is exerted on the arterial wall is known as blood pressure. Blood pressure is expressed by the

The major health problem selected for this project was hypertension (Harrison et al, 2011). It is identified as a cardio vascular disease risk factor such as dementia, chronic kidney disease, coronary heart disease, and stroke (NICE, 2011). It can be missed easily, as in various instances it is asymptomatic as well as it is also known as a silent killer. The Hypertension is thought to be a disease of vascular regulation ensuing from arterial pressure control mechanisms malfunction (extracellular fluid volume, rennin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, and CNS) that results in elevation of BP by means of enhanced peripheral vascular resistance, and cardiac output. There are 2 basic hypertension types. Around 90 to 95 percent of the individuals have primary hypertension which is linked with change in lifestyle as well as needs medical treatment. On the other hand, 5-10% has secondary hypertension which is linked with various other diseases for instance pregnancy, thyroid, and renal (Haslam and James, 2005). It is estimated that around 1 in 20 adults will have increased BP of 160/100 mmHg and above that results in either more than one predisposing aspects (Gemmell et al, 2006).

High blood pressure increases your risk for heart disease and stroke, two leading causes of death for both Florida and the United States (Centers for disease control, 2017). High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is known as the “silent killer” because it often has no warning signs or symptoms, and many people do not know they have it. Hypertension damages blood vessels in the organs, reducing their ability to work properly (National institute of diabetes and digestive and kidney diseases, 2016). About 1 of 3 U.S. adults—or about 75 million people—have high blood pressure. Only 54% of these people have their high blood pressure under control (Centers for disease control, 2017). Hypertension education, which focuses on controlling the disease with medication, diet, and losing weight, is important in preventing or delaying the progression of serious complications. Most people diagnosed with hypertensive disease will need to see a medical professional who will recommend lifestyle changes to help you control and prevent high blood pressure (Ignatavicius & Workman, 2006, p. 1742).

The heart pumps blood into the arteries and the force of the blood pushing against blood vessel walls is called blood pressure. Arteries carry the blood throughout the body. High blood pressure is also know as hypertension and is very dangerous in many different ways. One way is that it makes the heart have to work harder in order to pump the blood to the body. Secondly it contributes to hardening of the arteries and lastly, it also contributes to heart failure. A healthy heart is essential to life and having high blood pressure it not healthy for the heart. It has been proven that there are many different causes that have been linked to high blood pressure.

The pulse is an indication of an individual’s heart rate. When checking for a pulse in the primary survey, begin with palpating the patient’s radial or carotid artery (Basic Patient Care 2012, p. 50). This may reveal a normal (60-100 beats/min), tachycardia (<100 beats/min), bradycardia (> 60 beats/min) or asystole heart rate. Additionally, the capillary refill may also provide details about a patient’s cardiovascular status. This is performed by applying pressure to the nail bed and calculating the time it to takes to refill to a normal color, which should take no more then a few seconds otherwise suggesting capillary closure (Mick J Sanders, 2012, p. 1400). An additional accessory to Circulation is Hemorrhages, these involve more through examinations of the pulse, blood pressure and warmth of peripheries of patients. Additionally, you must thoroughly look for indication of bleeding, specifically in the areas around the chest, abdomen and externally seen by the eye.

According to research, more than 1 in 3 individuals of the American population have some form of cardiovascular disease. Hypertension is at the forefront for being the most widespread circulatory problem in adults. This condition is distinguished by a person having consistent elevated blood pressure. Although the ranges for healthy blood pressure is different for everyone, medicine tells us that the ideal pressure should remain near 120/80 mmHg. These numbers are a representation of the force being exerted into our arterial system. The first number (Systolic) displays the amount of force upon the arterial walls while the heart beats. Whereas, the second reading (Diastolic) is a measurement of pressure while the heart is relaxed. One notably

The patient should be seated with the feet flat on the floor. The BP is obtained in both arms,

Hypertension is a common health problem especially among people over age of 60 years. This disease is diagnostic when a patient blood pressure is more than 140 to 159 over 90 to 99. Blood pressure refers to the pressure that blood applies to the inner walls of the Diabetes is an endocrine system disorder that occurs when the body is unable to control or balance the amount of sugar in blood and within bodily tissues. You know that the human body is like a machine, with organ systems that are specialized in certain functions, and interact with each other to allow all vital functions to happen. For the body to stay healthy, it is essential that its internal environment is stable and balanced despite the different changes that can occur inside

Hypertension is widely considered to be one of the most important risk factors of cardiovascular diseases (angina, arrhythmia, etc.). It is the second leading disease that causes mortality in the world. Hypertension is the condition when there is an increase in the force of blood on the walls of vessels. It can also be defined as an arterial blood pressure that is raised above 140/90 mm Hg (systolic/ diastolic BP). Hypertension can be classified into Secondary hypertension and Essential hypertension. When specific cause is evident but heredity, and various physiological parameters play a role in increasing blood pressure is known as Essential Hypertension. Secondary Hypertension is one where the cause is known. According to WHO guidelines between 2006 and 2015, deaths due to cardiovascular diseases are expected to increase by 17% while the deaths from infectious diseases, nutritional deficiencies, maternal and prenatal conditions are projected to decline by 3%. The main causes of hypertension includes the age ,hereditary, gender, extra weight, alcohol consumption, stress life, lazy life etc.

Approximately one in every three adult’s ages 20 years old and older are diagnosed with high blood pressure or hypertension. Hypertension affects 78 million people in the United States and is equally prevalent in both men and woman (Crabtree et al., 2013). Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (Hajjar & Kotchen, 2003). It can lead to stroke, myocardial infarction, renal failure, heart failure, neurological issues, and death if not detected early and not treated properly (James, Oparil, Carter, & et al., 2014). Approximately 9.4 million deaths in 2010 were attributed to high blood pressure (Angell, De Cock, & Frieden, 2015). About 54% of strokes, 47% of coronary heart disease, and 25 % of other cardiovascular diseases are attributed to high blood pressure (Arima, Barzi, & Chalmers, 2011).

Hypertension is defined a consistent elevation of the systolic blood pressure above 140mmHg, a diastolic pressure above 90mmHg or a report of taking antihypertensive medication. Early diagnosis and effective management of hypertension is essential because it is a major modifiable risk factor to cerebrovascular, cardiac, vascular, and renal diseases. The higher the blood pressure, the greater the risk for heart attack, heart failure, stroke, and kidney disease.