What is high blood pressure(hypertension)?
Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps blood. When that force of blood is pushing too fast that is hypertension.High blood pressure is monitored by
a gauge, stethoscope or electronic sensor, and a blood pressure cuff.
There are two pressures measured they are:
- Systolic Pressure: blood pressure when the heart beats while pumping blood
- Diastolic Pressure: blood pressure when the heart is at rest between beat.
Most people are not aware of their heart rate or of having any type of hypertension/high blood pressure. The statistics show more than 360,000 Americans deaths in 2013 included high blood pressure as a primary or contributing cause. That is almost 1,000 deaths each day!That is definitely a very high number.
Do not despair in the statistics, there is some good news! By controlling hypertension there is a strong change you can prevent cardiovascular disease. And nearly 52% of Americans are doing it.
Categories for blood pressure levels in adults
The diastolic blood pressure number or the bottom number indicates the pressure in the arteries when the heart rests between beats.
A normal diastolic blood pressure number is less than 80.
A diastolic blood pressure between 80 and 89 indicates prehypertension.
A diastolic blood pressure number of 90 or higher is considered to be hypertension or high blood pressure.
My interest and background with hypertension/high blood pressure
I am extremely interested in this disease because it in my family runs in family.(That is my family to the right.) Recently my father passed away due to cardiovascular disease by getting more information on this disease I can help avoid it.Also learn how to have a healthier lifestyle for my family. First let’s go over , the causes of hypertension: too much sodium in diet,Smoking, being overweight, lack of activity ,genetics, consuming too many alcohol beverages.
These are the main reasons hypertension runs in my family. Diet, my family eats ton of Mexican and Puerto Rican food the food is really good , traditional dishes may carry tons of sodium. Especially if we use processed foods to replace some of the ingredients in the recipes. Not enough exercise which is great for controlling hypertension but it is great for fighting off any cardiovascular disease. Last of all alcoholism, not only do a few alcoholic drinks may trigger hypertension but having an alcohol problem will definitely give you high blood pressure. The battle has not ended fighting hypertension. My mom who is still alive struggles with it but I believe the real struggle is making food modification to traditional Mexican dishes and finding the time to exercise in such a busy lifestyle. One improvement that she has made is going for walks and eating more kale and greens. Now it my time to make a change for my family. Resources: The Worlds of David Darling • Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy •http://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/H/high_blood_pressure.html Nutrition essentials for nursing practice/Susan G. Dudek -7th ed. ISBN978-1-451-8612-3 Web MD http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/guide/diastolic-and-systolic-blood-pressure-know-your-numbers Images retrived from: heart http://63050383-769058567501608181.preview.editmysite.com/uploads/6/3/0/5/63050383/2751378.jpg?311= comic http://d.adroll.com/cm/r/out-the comic |