HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE(HYPERTENSION)
WHO estimates that 3 in 10 people are living with Hypertension worldwide. In Kenya Hypertension is fast becoming Kenya` s biggest public health concern accounting over 50% of hospital inpatients and 40% of hospital deaths. Is the most common cardiovascular disease. In Kenya the national stepwise for non-communicable diseases reports that 1 in 4 Kenyans are living with hypertension and more than half of the population have never had their blood pressure measured. Worldwide Hypertension is estimated to cause 7.5 million deaths.
Hypertension also known as high blood pressure is a long term medical condition in which
- The blood pressure in arteries is persistently elevated.
- This is confirmed after an elevated BP on at least 3 separate occasions (based on average of 2 or more readings taken at each of > 2 follow up visits after initial screening.
- Blood pressure is expressed by two measurements: systolic and diastolic.
- For most adults : Normal BP _ at rest is 100-130mmHg systolic and 60-80mmHg diastolic.
BLOOD PRESSURE CHART
|
Blood pressure |
Systolic Pressure |
Diastolic Pressure |
|
Classification |
Mmhg |
Mmhg |
|
Normal |
120 |
80 |
|
Pre hypertension |
130 - 139 |
85- 89 |
|
Stage 1 Hypertension |
140-149 |
90-99 |
|
Stage 2 hypertension |
>160 |
>100 |
|
|
|
|
CLASSFICATION OF HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
- Primary (Essential) 90-95% causes -Lifestyle and genetic factors
- Secondary hypertension, chronic kidney disease use of birth control pills, Drugs and toxins
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
- Hypertension does not cause signs and symptoms
- That is why is known as silent killer
- Does not cause nose bleeding or headache except in Hypertension crisis -180/120mmHg
- Rare cases some patients present with; Blood spots in the eyes, Dizziness.
LIFESTYLE FACTORS THAT CAUSES HYPERTENSION;
-Excess salt intake,
-Excess body weight,
-Smoking, alcohol use,
-Obesity(BMI>30KG/M2),
-Dm, elevated LDM cholesterol levels,
- Family history.
COMPLICATIONS OF HYPERTENSION
- Coronary artery diseases
- Stroke
- Heart failure
- Peripheral vascular diseases
- Vision loss
- dementia
- chronic kidney diseases
LIFESTYLE CHANGES
- Reduce weight
- Physical exercises
- Reduce salt intake
- Quitting smoking
- Eating a heart healthy diet; avoid saturated fats,
- Reduce alcohol intake
N/B
Those already on treatment Should avoid defaulting from taking ant-hypertensive drugs because the complications are more fatal the disease can be controlled by drugs.