3-11: Hypertension Flashcards
Identify two health risks associated with hypertension.
Hypertension increases the risk for: CHD, kidney disease, and cognitive impairment.
Distinguish between systolic and diastolic pressure.
Systolic blood pressure is the pressure when the heart is contracting, pushing out blood to the organs; diastolic pressure is the pressure when the heart is relaxed, drawing in blood.
Indicate how hypertension is defined, in terms of systolic pressure.
Mild hypertension is defined by a systolic pressure consistently between 140 and 159.
Moderate hypertension involves a pressure consistently between 160 and 179.
Sever hypertension mean a systolic pressure consistently above 180.
Keeping systolic blood pressure under 120 is best.
Name the common risk factors for hypertension
Prior to age 50, men are at greater risk for hypertension than women. Above 55, both men and women have a 90% risk. The risk is higher for minorities, and is linked to genetic factors, reactivity, negative affect, intense arousal, anger, cynical distrust, and excessive striving against significant odds.
Identify common methods of treatment for hypertension.
The most common methods of treating hypertension are: low-sodium diets, reducing alcohol intake, weight reduction, exercise, caffeine restriction, diuretics (which reduce both blood volume and sodium levels), beta-blockers (reduce cardiac output), central adrenergic inhibitors (reduce blood pressure by reducing sympathetic signals from the CNS), and peripheral adrenergic inhibitors (reduce catecholamine levels).
Discuss the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral interventions.
Methods such as biofeedback, progressive muscle relaxation, hypnosis, and meditation all can reduce blood pressure and have modest beneficial effects.
Describe two problems in the treatment of hypertension.
- Hypertension is largely symptom-less disease.
2. There is a high rate of non-adherence because the correlation between perceived and actual blood pressure is low.
hypertension
Excessively high blood pressure that occurs when the supply of blood through the blood vessels is excessive, putting pressure on the vessel walls; a risk factor for a variety of medical problems, including coronary heart disease.
metabolic syndrome
A pattern of risk factors for the chronic health problems of diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension, characterized by obesity, a high waist-to-hip ratio, and insulin resistance. Metabolic syndrome is exacerbated by inactivity, overeating, age, and hostility.
Johan Henryism
A personality predisposition to cope actively with psychosocial stressors, may become lethal when those active coping efforts are unsuccessful; the syndrome has been especially documented among lower-income Blacks at risk for suffering from hypertension.
