HYPERTENSION
This document aims to answer the following questions:
What is High Blood Pressure?
High blood pressure (sometimes called hypertension) is
a medical condition that occurs when the blood in your circulatory
system pushes against your artery walls with too much force. If
your blood pressure is too high and remains above the normal range
for a prolonged period of time, serious medical consequences can
occur including heart disease, loss of vision, and kidney failure.
| High blood pressure is almost always without
any symptoms. Having your blood pressure measured is the
only way to detect high blood pressure and to check your
progress in controlling your blood pressure. |
Your blood pressure measurement is composed of two numbers:
120/80
The top number (120) is called your systolic blood pressure
and represents the pressure in your arteries when your heart is
beating. The bottom number (80) is called your diastolic blood
pressure and represents the pressure in your arteries between heartbeats
as your heart relaxes. In general, a systolic blood pressure of
greater than 140 or a diastolic blood pressure great than 90, indicates
the presence of high blood pressure.
How is High Blood Pressure Treated?
In some cases, heart-healthy lifestyle modifications are all that
is needed to control high blood pressure. Some of these changes
which have been proven to help lower blood pressure, include:
- Losing excess weight
- Quitting smoking
- Getting regular exercise (always consult your physician before
starting any new exercise regimen)
- Limit your salt intake
- Decrease the amount of alcohol you drink
Sometimes, medications are needed in addition to these lifestyle
modifications to adequately control high blood pressure. In such
cases, it is extremely important to take your medication exactly
as prescribed. Your pharmacist can help you design a regimen on
how to best take your medications.
As always, make sure to have regular checkups with your doctor.
Reasons to be Heart Smart
- Heart disease is the #1 cause of death in the United States
- About 30% of people with high blood pressure are not even aware
that they have this condition
- Of those people who are aware they have high blood pressure,
only 30% are being adequately controlled by their present treatment
- Since the implementation of national guidelines for the detection,
prevention, and treatment of high blood pressure, death rates
due to stoke have decreased by 60% and those due to coronary
heart disease have decreased by 50%
Are You At Risk For Heart Disease?
- Blood pressure greater than 140/90 and/or taking high blood
pressure medication
- Overweight
- Currently smoke cigarettes
- High LDL (bad) cholesterol
- Low HDL (good) cholesterol
- Age
- Male over 45 years of age
- Female over 55 years of age
- Family history of heart disease
- Diabetes mellitus
Consequences of Uncontrolled High Blood Pressure
- Eyes: Complications can range from impaired vision to blindness
- Heart: An association between high blood pressure, artherosclerosis,
coronary artery disease, and congestive heart failure has been
clearly established
- Brain: The risk of stroke is five times higher in patients
with uncontrolled high blood pressure than those whose blood
pressure is normal
- Kidneys: High blood pressure can result in permanent kidney
failure
What do my numbers mean?
|
Systolic |
Diastolic |
| Normal |
Below 120 |
Below 80 |
| Prehypertension |
120-139 |
80-89 |
| Goal for Diabetics |
Below 135 |
Below 85 |
| High Blood Pressure |
| Stage 1 |
140-159 |
90-99 |
| Stage 2 |
Over 160 |
Over 100 |
From The 7th Report on the Joint National Commission on the Prevention,
Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure.
How Can My Pharmacist Help?
At Iverson Corner Drug, we are dedicated to helping you control
your blood pressure by
- Measuring your blood pressure and providing an interpretation
of the results.
- Reviewing the effectiveness, safety, and convenience of your
medications and making appropriate recommendations to your doctor.
- Providing you with important information and educational materials
about high blood pressure and its treatment.
- Generating computerized reports documenting trends in your
blood pressure.
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