The Silent Killer : Hypertension

John’s long standing Hypertension causes his heart to work harder, putting more strain on his heart and arteries. In order to achieve a gradient in pressure by which blood flows from an area of higher pressure to one of lower pressure, the left ventricle must exceed the increased pressure in the arterial system (Ref).

Blood pressure in our blood vessels is monitored by the baroreceptors. These receptors send messages to the cardio regulatory center of the medulla oblongata to regulate our blood pressure every minute. In order for blood to be delivered to all organs and tissues, our cardiovascular system must always maintain adequate blood pressure. If the blood pressure drops too low, these organs will not receive an adequate of nourishing blood. Also if the pressure goes too high, the walls of the arteries will stretch and increased activity within the baroreceptor, information will then be sent through the nerves to the cardio regulatory center within the medulla which will responds by initiating the mechanisms that decrease the blood pressure to a normal

Body: the regulation tof blood pressure. When your blood pressure increases, it is detected by the recepters in your blood vessels that sence the resistance of blood flow against the walls if the vessel. The receptors send a message to your brain, which sends a message to your heart and blood vessels. Your heart rate decreases and your blood vessels expand in diameter, which together decreases your blood

Approximately every year, 3 million people are diagnosed with hypertension. Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure occurs when the force of the blood travels through the blood vessel increasingly, more than what is considered healthy (Chronic Disease Management and Control Branch 3). High blood pressure is sometimes called the “silent killer” because there are no symptoms. Overtime, an uncontrolled high blood pressure can cause life threatening damages to important organs in the body. When the heart beats, it pumps the blood throughout the body to give it the energy and oxygen it needs. As the blood moves through the body, it pushes against the sides of the blood vessels. The strength of this push is called the blood pressure. Blood pressure is measured by a systolic over diastolic pressure. Systolic refers to the pressure when the heart is beating, and the diastolic refers to the pressure when the heart rests between beats. According to a peer-reviewed article written by the MedlinePlus called “Hypertension,” a good blood pressure reading is 120/80 mmHg. Any blood pressure over the rate of 140/90 is considered hypertension. A constant high blood pressure needs to be maintained and check regularly. An uncontrolled or undetected hypertension can silently damage vital organs of the body affecting the heart, brain, and kidneys.

Blood pressure is defined as the pressure of blood as it’s applied to the walls of blood vessels when the heart contracts. Blood pressure is important to homeostasis in the body because it helps maintain temperature and proper delivery of nutrients to the body. The kidneys depend on blood pressure for helping it filter blood and they also control one of the mechanisms for regulating blood pressure called long term blood pressure control. When the blood pressure is low, the kidneys release substance/enzyme called renin. Renin causes the production of a chemical known as angiotensin 2 through this cascade of reactions. Then, Angiotensin 2 causes constriction of blood vessels which means the lessening of the diameter in the blood vessels. When blood vessels are constricted the blood pressure rises. Another gland also helps out. This is called the adrenal gland. In this process, the adrenal cortex on the outside of the adrenal gland releases a substance called aldosterone in the presence of angiotensin 2. This substance increases sodium reabsorption in the body. This also increases water reabsorption. In addition, the reabsorbed water increases the blood volume which also increases the

A cuff sphygmomanometer in the brachial artery has been accepted as a routine method of blood pressure measurement but it is actually higher than corresponding central blood pressure measured from aorta and carotid artery. However, many evidence suggests that central blood pressure is better related to the risk of cardiovascular events than is brachial pressure [5]. Vaccarino et al. reported that the increased central pulse pressure about 10 mmHg increases a heart failure risk about 14 %, coronary heart disease about 12 % and cause mortality about 6 % of the population older than 65 years [39]. To monitor the hypertensive condition, central blood pressure values i.e. systolic, diastolic blood pressure and augmentation index are used as gold standard parameters. PWV is also a useful marker of target organ damage such as heart, brain, aorta and kidney in hypertensive patients [16]. In addition, treatment decisions on central pressure, rather than brachial pressure, is more likely to have important clinical application for the diagnosis and proper management of hypertension because anti-hypertensive drugs have differential effects on brachial and central pressure[40]. Recently, the 2013 hypertension guidelines has added aortic PWV as a recommended test for detecting large artery stiffening associated with

Mean arterial blood pressure is the average arterial pressure in a cardiac cycle. It is set by cardiac output and total peripheral resistance; it sets the average driving pressure and controls the flow. The pulse pressure is the difference between the highest and lowest pressure (systolic and diastolic blood pressure) readings during a subject’s cardiac cycle. Both mean arterial pressure and pulse pressure are detected by baroreceptors. The baroreceptors respond to stretching of the arterial wall so that if arterial pressure suddenly rises, the walls of these vessels passively expand, which stimulates the firing these receptors (Ottesen et. al., 2011). If arterial blood pressure suddenly falls, decreased stretch of the

this disease is, just consider that it is a prime risk factor for both heart disease and

Hypertension is characterized by chronic elevated blood pressure1. It can be a predisposing factor or secondary to heart failure. In the US, there are 75 million individuals who have hypertension with two thirds of individuals 65 years or older diagnosed. Various factors can contribute to the development of hypertension including renal disease, thyroid disease, dysregulation of hormones, and alcohol consumption. The disease also highly correlates with age as even individuals 55 years old with normal blood pressure have a 90% lifetime risk of developing hypertension with age. Left untreated, hypertension can result in retinopathy, cardiomyopathy, and stroke with the most common cause of death being coronary artery disease. The diagnoses of hypertension is primarily done by the monitoring of blood pressure with multiple readings of systolic pressure greater than 140 mmHg and diastolic pressure greater than 90 mmHg indicating stage one hypertension1,2. The evaluation of the eyes, heart, thyroid, and renal system are also important in understanding the cause and extent of hypertension. Initial treatment involves lifestyle and diet modifications such as exercise, smoking, cessation, and limited sodium intake. Patients unresponsive to lifestyle and diet modification or have a blood pressure greater than 160/100 mmHg are recommended by the American Heart Association to begin drug therapy. Current JNC-8 guidelines dictate the goal of treatment to reduce blood pressure

Hypertension (high blood pressure) is a major health issue worldwide, in addition to the vast amounts of strokes, chronic kidney diseases (CDK), and heart failures. However, organized hypertension prevention and control interventions have demonstrated to decrease the detrimental outcomes. Additionally, the management of salt consumption also displays a decrease of blood pressure towards the population at risk. A global-base assessment of hypertension programs and salt consumptions was performed. This quantitative data provided geographical patterns, which was evaluated to identify and determine which countries are in greatest need. Understanding, which countries need attention will help promote and spread hypertension programs and salt management to decrease high blood pressure related outcomes.

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.

Hypertension is abnormally high blood pressure; a diet high in salt may predispose to hypertension. An increase in levels of systolic and diastolic blood pressure has been associated with an increased risk of developing coronary heart disease (CHD), cerebral vascular disease (stroke) and peripheral vascular disease. Within the western countries, those associated with a higher economic status, hypertension accounts for around 17% of deaths. A positive correlation between intake of sodium and hypertension rates has been found, suggestions for this correlation include a reduced urinary sodium excretion and fluid retention causing hypertension. (Mann, & Truswell, 2012, pp. 336-338).

A definition of hypertension is essential in understanding the thesis presented. Hypertension is used to describe high blood pressure. Blood pressure is the force against the walls of the artery as your heart pumps blood through your body.1 There are two numbers in blood pressure, which are the systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). The systolic blood pressure is the top number of the two numbers in the blood pressure reading and diastolic blood pressure is the bottom number. Systolic blood pressure is your blood pressure when you are active, which is why it is higher than your diastolic blood pressure since that is your blood pressure when you are at rest.1 Hypertension is when your

Blood pressure is the force exerted by circulating blood against the walls of blood vessels and usually refers to the arterial pressure of the systemic circulation. Blood pressure is routinely regulated in order to direct appropriate amounts of nutrients and oxygen to specific tissue types. For example, when exercise requires additional supplies of oxygen to skeletal muscles, blood flow to these muscles increases, while blood flow to the digestive organs decreases. Blood pressure can be altered in numerous ways, such as varying cardiac output by changing heart rate or stroke volume, or by changing the resistance to blood flow in the blood vessels. Altering peripheral resistance in the blood vessels is achieved by vasodilation or vasoconstriction, or also by changes in blood viscosity or blood vessel length. The cardiac center stimulates cardiac output by increasing heart rate and contractility. These nerve impulses are transmitted over sympathetic cardiac nerves. The cardiac center inhibits cardiac output by decreasing heart rate. These nerve impulses are transmitted over parasympathetic vagus nerves. The cardiovascular center obtains information about the body’s status through baroreceptors and chemoreceptors. Baroreceptors are sensory neurons that monitor arterial pressure. Major baroreceptors are located in the carotid sinus, the aortic arch, and the right

The two major types of hypertension are primary and secondary. Primary hypertension accounts for more than 90% of all cases and has no known cause, although it is hypothesized that genetic factors, hormonal changes, and the altercations in sympathetic tone all may play a role in its development. Secondary hypertension develops as a consequence of an underlying disease or condition. The prevention and treatment of hypertension is a major public health issue. When blood pressure is controlled, cardiovascular, renal disease, and stroke may be prevented. The JCN, reported more than 122 million individuals in American are overweight or obese, consume large amounts of dietary sodium and alcohol, and do not eat adequate amounts of fruits and vegetables; less than 20% exercise regularly. Both modifiable and non-modifiable factors play a role in the development of hypertension