Diet and HypertensionDiet and Hypertension

What is Blood Pressure?What is Blood Pressure?

The force of blood against the wall The force of blood against the wall of the arteries.of the arteries.

Systolic- as the heart beatsSystolic- as the heart beats Diastolic - as the heart relaxesDiastolic - as the heart relaxes Written as systolic over diastolic.Written as systolic over diastolic. Normal Blood pressure is less than Normal Blood pressure is less than

130 mm Hg systolic and less than 130 mm Hg systolic and less than 85 mm Hg diastolic.85 mm Hg diastolic.

High Blood PressureHigh Blood Pressure

A consistent blood pressure of A consistent blood pressure of 140/90 mm Hg or higher is 140/90 mm Hg or higher is considered high blood pressure.considered high blood pressure.

It increases chance for heart It increases chance for heart disease, kidney disease, and for disease, kidney disease, and for having a stroke.having a stroke.

1 out of 4 Americans have High Bp.1 out of 4 Americans have High Bp. Has no warning signs or symptoms.Has no warning signs or symptoms.

Why is High Blood Why is High Blood Pressure Important?Pressure Important? Makes the Heart work too hard.Makes the Heart work too hard. Makes the walls of arteries hard.Makes the walls of arteries hard. Increases risk for heart disease Increases risk for heart disease

and stroke.and stroke. Can cause heart failure, kidney Can cause heart failure, kidney

disease, and blindness.disease, and blindness.

How Does It Effect the How Does It Effect the Body?Body?The BrainThe Brain High blood pressure is the most High blood pressure is the most

important risk factor for stroke.important risk factor for stroke. Can cause a break in a weakened Can cause a break in a weakened

blood vessel which then bleeds in blood vessel which then bleeds in the brain.the brain.

The HeartThe Heart

High Blood Pressure is a major risk High Blood Pressure is a major risk factor for heart attack.factor for heart attack.

Is the number one risk factor for Is the number one risk factor for Congestive Heart Failure.Congestive Heart Failure.

The KidneysThe Kidneys

Kidneys act as filters to rid the Kidneys act as filters to rid the body of wastes.body of wastes.

High blood pressure can narrow High blood pressure can narrow and thicken the blood vessels.and thicken the blood vessels.

Waste builds up in the blood, can Waste builds up in the blood, can result in kidney damage.result in kidney damage.

The EyesThe Eyes

Can eventually cause blood vessels Can eventually cause blood vessels to break and bleed in the eye.to break and bleed in the eye.

Can result in blurred vision or even Can result in blurred vision or even blindness.blindness.

The ArteriesThe Arteries

Causes arteries to harden.Causes arteries to harden. This in turn causes the kidneys and This in turn causes the kidneys and

heart to work harder.heart to work harder. Contributes to a number of Contributes to a number of

problems.problems.

What causes High Blood What causes High Blood Pressure?Pressure? Causes varyCauses vary Narrowing of the arteriesNarrowing of the arteries Greater than normal volume of bloodGreater than normal volume of blood Heart beating faster or more Heart beating faster or more

forcefully than it shouldforcefully than it should Another medical problemAnother medical problem The exact cause is not known.The exact cause is not known.

Who can develop High Who can develop High Blood Pressure?Blood Pressure? Anyone, but it is more common in:Anyone, but it is more common in: African Americans- get it earlier and African Americans- get it earlier and

more often then Caucasians.more often then Caucasians. As we get older. 60% of Americans As we get older. 60% of Americans

over 60 have hypertension.over 60 have hypertension. Overweight, family history Overweight, family history High normal bp:135-139/85-89 mm High normal bp:135-139/85-89 mm

Hg.Hg.

DetectionDetection

Dr.’s will diagnose a person with 2 Dr.’s will diagnose a person with 2 or more readings of 140/90mm Hg or more readings of 140/90mm Hg or higher taken on more than one or higher taken on more than one occasion.occasion.

White-Coat HypertensionWhite-Coat Hypertension Measured using a Measured using a

spygmomameter.spygmomameter.

Tips for Having your blood Tips for Having your blood pressure taken.pressure taken. Don’t drink coffee or smoke Don’t drink coffee or smoke

cigarettes for 30 minutes before.cigarettes for 30 minutes before. Before test sit for five minutes with Before test sit for five minutes with

back supported and feet flat on the back supported and feet flat on the ground. Test your arm on a table ground. Test your arm on a table even with your heart.even with your heart.

Wear short sleeves so your arm is Wear short sleeves so your arm is exposed.exposed.

Tips for having blood Tips for having blood pressure taken.pressure taken. Go to the bathroom before test. A Go to the bathroom before test. A

full bladder can affect bp reading.full bladder can affect bp reading. Get 2 readings and average the Get 2 readings and average the

two of them.two of them. Ask the Dr. or nurse to tell you the Ask the Dr. or nurse to tell you the

result in numbers.result in numbers.

Preventing HypertensionPreventing Hypertension

Adopt a healthy lifestyle by:Adopt a healthy lifestyle by:

Following a healthy eating pattern.Following a healthy eating pattern. Maintaining a healthy weight.Maintaining a healthy weight. Being Physically Active.Being Physically Active. Limiting Alcohol.Limiting Alcohol. Quitting Smoking.Quitting Smoking.

DASH dietDASH diet

Dietary Approaches to Stop Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension.Hypertension.

Was an 11 week trial.Was an 11 week trial. Differences from the food pyramid:Differences from the food pyramid: an increase of 1 daily serving of veggies.an increase of 1 daily serving of veggies. and increase of 1-2 servings of fruit.and increase of 1-2 servings of fruit. inclusion of 4-5 servings of nuts,seeds, inclusion of 4-5 servings of nuts,seeds,

and beans.and beans.

Tips for Reducing SodiumTips for Reducing Sodium

Buy fresh, plain frozen or canned “no Buy fresh, plain frozen or canned “no added salt” veggies.added salt” veggies.

Use fresh poultry, lean meat, and fish. Use fresh poultry, lean meat, and fish. Use herbs, spices, and salt-free Use herbs, spices, and salt-free

seasonings at the table and while seasonings at the table and while cooking.cooking.

Choose convenience foods low in salt.Choose convenience foods low in salt. Rinse canned foods to reduce sodium.Rinse canned foods to reduce sodium.

Maintain Healthy WeightMaintain Healthy Weight

Blood pressure rises as weight Blood pressure rises as weight rises.rises.

Obesity is also a risk factor for Obesity is also a risk factor for heart disease.heart disease.

Even a 10# weight loss can reduce Even a 10# weight loss can reduce blood pressure.blood pressure.

Be Physically ActiveBe Physically Active

Helps lower blood pressure and lose/ Helps lower blood pressure and lose/ maintain weight.maintain weight.

30 minutes of moderate level activity 30 minutes of moderate level activity on most days of week. Can even on most days of week. Can even break it up into 10 minute sessions.break it up into 10 minute sessions.

Use stairs instead of elevator, get off Use stairs instead of elevator, get off bus 2 stops early, Park your car at bus 2 stops early, Park your car at the far end of the lot and walk!the far end of the lot and walk!

Limit Alcohol IntakeLimit Alcohol Intake

Alcohol raises blood pressure and Alcohol raises blood pressure and can harm liver, brain, and heartcan harm liver, brain, and heart

What counts as a drink?What counts as a drink? 12 oz beer12 oz beer 5 oz of wine5 oz of wine 1.5 oz of 80 proof whiskey1.5 oz of 80 proof whiskey

Quit SmokingQuit Smoking

Injures blood vessel wallsInjures blood vessel walls Speeds up process of hardening of Speeds up process of hardening of

the arteries.the arteries.

Other TreatmentOther Treatment

If Lifestyle Modification is not If Lifestyle Modification is not working, blood pressure working, blood pressure medication may be needed, there medication may be needed, there are several types:are several types:

Diuretics-work on the kidney to Diuretics-work on the kidney to remove access water and fluid remove access water and fluid from body to lower bp.from body to lower bp.

Beta blockers-reduce impulses to Beta blockers-reduce impulses to the heart and blood vessels.the heart and blood vessels.

Other TreatmentOther Treatment

ACE inhibitors- cause blood vessels ACE inhibitors- cause blood vessels to relax and blood to flow freely.to relax and blood to flow freely.

Angiotensin antagonists- work the Angiotensin antagonists- work the same as ACE inhibitors.same as ACE inhibitors.

Calcium Channel Blockers- causes Calcium Channel Blockers- causes the blood vessel to relax and widen.the blood vessel to relax and widen.

Alpha Blocker- blocks an impulse to Alpha Blocker- blocks an impulse to the heart causing blood to flow more the heart causing blood to flow more freely.freely.

Other TreatmentOther Treatment

Alpha-beta blockers- work the Alpha-beta blockers- work the same as beta blockers, also slow same as beta blockers, also slow the heart down.the heart down.

Nervous system inhibitors- slow Nervous system inhibitors- slow nerve impulses to the heart.nerve impulses to the heart.

Vasodilators- cause blood vessel to Vasodilators- cause blood vessel to widen, allowing blood to flow more widen, allowing blood to flow more freely.freely.

ConclusionConclusion

Hypertension is a very controllable Hypertension is a very controllable disease, with drastic consequences disease, with drastic consequences if left uncontrolled.if left uncontrolled.