Hypertension : Symptoms And Symptoms Of Hypertension

Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, has become a major risk factor for several types of heart disease across the globe. In the United States alone, nearly 70 million adults have been diagnosed with this condition [1]. Hypertension is a condition in which arterial walls experience extreme force from blood flowing through; long-term force against artery walls will lead to more serious health problems such as stroke, renal failure, and other cardiovascular diseases [2]. If the proper steps to treat hypertension are not taken, patients have a high risk of developing atherosclerosis, a condition that causes arteries to harden significantly. Smoking, obesity, lack of physical activity, high alcohol consumption, and high sodium intake are factors that may cause an individual to be diagnosed with hypertension [3] Detection of hypertension is crucial in order to reduce the incidence of death by cardiovascular disease [1].

Hypertension is a very common problem, affecting 1 billion people worldwide, with 50 million cases in the United States, and one third of cases going undiagnosed. 1% of the cases will experience a hypertensive emergency in their life. (1,2)

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 normal blood pressure and cholesterol levels are dependent on your gender and age. Normal adult blood pressure is generally considered as 130 over 85. A hypertensive person is someone who exceeds the upper limit of normal blood pressure level. You are considered hypertensive if your blood pressure is above 140 over 90. However, if it is only slightly above these values, it is considered a low-grade hypertension and generally it is not very dangerous. Nevertheless, it is more dangerous when combined with other negative factors, such as obesity or high cholesterol

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (as cited in Kear, 2015), hypertension is a common, long term health condition that affects over one billion people worldwide and 76.4 million adults in the United States. Hypertension is classified as having a systolic blood pressure of or greater than 130 mmHg and a diastolic blood pressure of or greater than 90 mmHg (Kear, 2015, p. 182). As a nurse you will encounter many patients that are hospitalized with hypertension and co-morbidities related to. As this is a chronic disease, patient compliance, prognosis, and future healthcare cost are contingent upon treating this issue as it can significantly affect the patient overall health status. Hypertension is a “silent killer” as many people are living with hypertension and are unaware of having this disease process. The cause of hypertension may be multi dynamically related to lifestyle risk factors such as, diet, exercise, familial history, stress, occupation, and the list goes on. Managing hypertension is a multifaceted approach as it consists of a collaboration with multiple healthcare providers the doctors, nurses, dietitian, the patient, the family, as well as other environmental factors that affect compliance and adherence (Kear, 2015). Hypertension can lead to several debilitating diseases such as heart attack, stroke, blindness, kidney failure just to name a few and it should be monitored and treated early to prevent any

Hypertension is sometimes referred to as the silent killer (Aycock, Kirkendoll, & Gordon, 2013). Today it is a public health problem. According to the American Heart Association 2013 Statistical Fact Sheet (2013), one out of every three adults has high blood pressure, which is estimated at 77.9 million people (AHA, 2013). High blood pressure is also referred to as hypertension. Hypertension is a prevalent medical condition that carries with it the risk factor for increased chances of heart disease and stroke (Gillespie & Hurvitz, 2013). Hypertension remains one of the top 10 causes of worldwide disability-adjusted life years (as cited in Drenjančević-Perić et al., 2011). For the estimated 348, 102 deaths in 2009, high blood pressure was listed as the primary or contributing cause of death (AHA, 2013). Despite the health risk associated with hypertension, the diagnoses of high blood pressure continue to rise. By 2030, hypertension is expected to increase by 7.2% from 2013 estimates (AHA, 2013).

With the new guidelines, anyone with a blood pressure reading of 130/80 is considered hypertensive and should take medication or alter their lifestyle. With the new cutoff, 46 percent, or over 103 million adult American are considered hypertensive, up from the 2003 estimate of 72 million. It tripled the number of men below 45 years old with a diagnosis of high blood pressure and doubled for women.

Hypertension is a common condition in the general population that remains one of the most important risk factors for cardiovascular disease and stroke worldwide. Prehypertension stage is defined as a systolic blood pressure between 120 and 139 or a diastolic pressure between 80 and 89. It is meant to identify adults who are at high risk for developing hypertension. Hypertension stage 1 is between 140 and 159 or diastolic pressure is between 90 and 99. It will probably need to take medication. Hypertension stage 2 is 160 or higher or diastolic pressure is 100 or higher. This stage usually must modify lifestyle habits and take a diuretic and another type of antihypertensive drug. According to Mayo Clinic, most people with high blood pressure have no signs or symptoms, even if bleed pressure readings reach dangerously high levels. A few people with high blood pressure may have headaches, shortness of breath or nosebleeds.

The instrument has an inflatable cuff that wraps around your arm and can inflate. The doctor will inflate the sphygmomanometer, squeezing an artery, and momentarily ending the blood flow. When the cuff deflates a doctor will measure the pressure of the next heartbeat. They also will measure the pressure at its lowest point between heartbeats. The doctor will use two numbers to discuss blood pressure. It is presented in the format 120/80. The first number is systolic pressure, the peak of every heartbeat. The second number is diastolic pressure, the pressure measured in between heartbeats, when the heartbeat is at rest. Blood pressure under 120/80 is called normal in adults. Systolic pressure ranging from 120-139 and diastolic pressure ranging from 80-89 is called prehypertension. Prehypertension means you are at risk for hypertension. When systolic pressure is 140/90 or higher it is considered hypertension. For kids under 18 it is different. If 95% of teens of the same age, height, and gender have lower blood pressure that kid is diagnosed with hypertension. Prehypertension is considered to be if a kids blood pressure is higher than 90-95% of those other kids. Anything under 90% will be considered normal. Many doctors will take three readings if your blood pressure is too high before diagnosing hypertension in

There are no real indicators of hypertension. “High blood pressure is called the ‘silent killer’ because it often has no warning signs or symptoms, and many people don’t realize they have it” (United “High” 1). Because the signs of hypertension are silent, tracing the root cause can be very difficult. Doctor will often start at the beginning. They will ask the patient to keep a food log, prescription list, over-the-counter medications list, past treatments (if applicable), and any herbal or alternative choices

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.

According to Harvard Medical School (2009), hypertension is a kind of cardiovascular and multisystem disease. In America, one of every three adults has hypertension and one of every six adults die due to hypertension. Most of the harmful effects do not directly fall on the heart but on the eyes, the kidneys and particularly the brain. The U.S National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (2012) notes that blood pressure is measured as systolic and diastolic pressures and for a healthy adult, systolic number should less than 120 and diastolic number should less than 80. For prehypertensive adults, the range for systolic number is 120-139, and the diastolic number is 80-89. If the systolic number is in the range of 140-159 and the diastolic number is in the range of 90-99, the adult has hypertension that is in stage 1.

age- and sex-adjusted prevalence of approximately 28% in North America. Physicians in clinical practice will encounter patients with hypertensive urgency and emergency. The improved management of chronic hypertension has decreased the lifetime incidence of hypertensive crisis to less than 1%. Although there has been improved management of chronic hypertension, patients presenting with severe hypertension represent up to 25% of all patients presenting to urban emergency departments.

By definition, hypertension is abnormally high systolic blood pressure. This condition is extremely prevalent in society as it affects every 1 in 3 adults, which estimates out to approximately 78 million individuals. Furthermore, only 82% of people affected by hypertension are aware they have it, and of those, only 75% are under current treatment.

So, what exactly is hypertension? According to Wexler and Frey in “Hypertension”, hypertension is the term that is used in the medical world for an easy explanation, high blood pressure (1). While this doesn’t sound too dangerous, if high blood pressure goes unchecked catastrophic issues may arise. Per Odle and Atkins on hypertension, “Hypertension is serious because people with the condition have a higher risk for heart disease and other medical problems than people with normal blood pressure” (1-2). There are three stages that are normally associated with the disease, but we first need to know what is normal. Blood pressure that falls under 120/80 is considered to be normal. This is the healthy range. When a person’s blood pressure rises over this number and up to 139/89, they are considered to be in pre-hypertension (Rapoza 1). In