Hypertension

Also known as High Blood Pressure (HBP), Hypertension is a chronic medical condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is high or elevated. HBP is elevated even when at rest. Normal individuals experience elevated blood pressure when subject to stress or physical activity.

Classification of Hypertension

CATEGORY SYSTOLIC DYSTOLIC
NORMAL <120 <80
PRE-HYPERTENSION 120-139 80-89
STAGE 1 140-159 90-99
STAGE 2 >160 >100

Risk factors of High Blood Pressure

  • Age: Older people at risk due to hardening of arteries.
  • Race: Certain races are at high risk of having BP, e.g. Black Americans.
  • Gender: Men have greater likelihood of developing HBP than women
  • Socioeconomic status: less educated and lower socioeconomic groups at higher risk
  • Family history (Heredity): The tendency to have high blood pressure appears to run in families.
  • Obesity: Being overweight increases the risk of high blood pressure
  • Too much salt in the diet: especially with high sensitivity to sodium.
  • Poor food choices or poor diets
  • Excessive alcohol use: Drinking more than two drinks per day tend to raise Bp
  • Getting little or no exercise
  • Pregnancy especially during the last few months
  • Smoking
  • Diabetes
  • Coronary heart disease

Signs and symptoms of Hypertension

  • Irregular heart beat; Pouncing of the heart and shortness of the breath
  • Frequent severe headache
  • Vision problems
  • Weakness and dizziness

Prevention and management of Hypertension

  • Reduce intake of saturated fats, animal fats, caffeine
  • Reduce the intake of simple sugars e.g. table sugar
  • Take wholegrain meal like mgaiwa, brown bread among others
  • Reduce or eliminate intake of alcohol from diet
  • Reduce body weight
  • Increase the intake of fruits and vegetables
  • Prevent stressful situations such as overworking
  • Manage stress by giving yourself time to meditate
  • Avoid or quit smoking of any type
  • Monitor and have your BP checked regularly
  • Develop habit of using low salt diet
  • Add some spices like garlic, ginger to meals to minimize intake of salt.
  • Avoid frying and stewing foods.
  • Follow doctors prescription when on medication

KEY MESSAGE:

Lifestyle plays an important role in treating your high blood pressure. If you successfully control your blood pressure with a healthy lifestyle, you may avoid, delay or reduce the need for medication.

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