Patient Education on Hypertension Newly Diagnosed

Hypertension, or elevated blood pressure, is the excessive amount of pressure generated as a result of blood flowing against the arterial wall. High blood pressure can be created when there is a great volume of blood passing through the arteries, or when there is narrowing of the arterial lumen, or both. A common analogy is that of a garden hose: when there is more water passing through the hose or when the nozzle is tightened, high hose pressure is generated. This is similar to what goes on in our blood vessels. (Wood Stephen, M.D, 1997)

When the systolic blood pressure (pressure with which the heart beats, while pumping) is 140 or greater, and the diastolic blood pressure (pressure when the heart is at rest, between beats) is 90 or greater, the person is said to be hypertensive. (National Heart Lung and Blood Institute)

There are various determinants of hypertension although not all are modifiable. For instance, genetic factors, such as family history, African-American race, male gender and age are all risk factors that are uncontrollable. Stress causes vasoconstriction (constriction of blood vessels) due to neurogenic effects which contributes to hypertension. Unhealthy lifestyle choices such as physical inactivity, smoking, alcohol diet rich in fats and increased sodium intake are added factors. These factors can be modified to prevent the development of hypertension. Diabetes is a condition in which the body cannot use insulin efficiently or cannot produce insulin, because of which there is a buildup of the sugar content in blood. 60% percent of patients with diabetes develop hypertension. (CDC)

High blood pressure although a symptomless disease can lead to complications that can prove detrimental to a patients' health. When blood pressure stays high for long periods of time, it does extensive damage to the body. The heart can becomes larger and weaker because of the additional strength needed to pump blood against the narrow, high resistant arteries, culminating in heart failure. Aneurysms (bulge in arteries) form due to raised blood pressure. Arteries become narrow which cause decreased blood flow to various parts of the body and can lead to heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, amputation of legs and insult to brain. Blood vessels in the eyes can burst due to the high pressures and lead to blindness. Delicate arteries in the nose that burst can cause nose bleed. There are also increased chances of developing fatty deposits in the arterial wall, causing it become narrow. (National Heart Lung and Blood Institute)