Hypertension

Question 1

What are the Joint National Committee (JNC) blood pressure guidelines?

Answer 1

Normal: <120/80
Elevated: 120-139 OR 80-89
High: 140+ OR 90+
150+ OR 90+ (60+ years old with no risk factors)

Question 2

What are the ACC/AHA blood pressure guidelines?

Answer 2

Normal: <120 AND <80
Elevated: 120-129 AND <80
Stage 1: 130-139 OR 80-89
Sage 2: 140+ OR 90+
Crisis: >180 AND/OR >120

Question 3

Define blood pressure, including systolic and diastolic.

Answer 3

The force of blood pushing against the walls of arteries that carry blood from the heart to other parts of the body.

Systolic - Pressure in blood vessels when the heart beats/contracts

Diastolic - pressure in blood vessels when the heart is at rest

Question 4

What are the main problems of high blood pressure (elevated over time)?

Answer 4

The leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality

It can damage the heart, brain, kidneys, and eyes;

raises the risk for heart disease and heart attack;

raises the risk for stroke

Explanation: over time, HBP damages the lining of the arteries, leading to narrower arteries leading to the heart and brain (less blood gets through) and more susceptible to plaque build ups - leads to CAD and stroke (the arteries that supply blood and oxygen to the brain to burst or be blocked) and heart attack (too little blood to the heart)

Question 5

What are the signs and symptoms of high blood pressure?

Answer 5

No warning signs or symptoms

Question 6

What medical conditions are associated with HBP?

Answer 6

Diabetes:60% of people with diabetes also have hypertension; and prehypertension

Kidney disease, sleep apnea, overweight or obese

Question 7

What are the lifestyle risk factors for HBP?

Answer 7

Alcohol, smoking, obesity, inactivity, unhealthy diet (high in sodium, low in potassium)

Question 8

What are the other (non-lifestyle) risk factors for HBP?

Answer 8

Race/ethnicity
(Black people develop hbp more often than white, Hispanics, Asians, Pacific Islanders, American Indians, or Alaska Natives do, and compared with white people, black people develop hbp earlier in life).

Sex
(men slightly higher until 6th decade then women)

Age

Hereditary/genes

Question 9

What is the treatment for HBP?

Answer 9

medication; lifestyle changes: activity (150 mins/week), diet, lifestyle changes like quitting smoking and reducing alcohol, managing stress

Question 10

How many americans have HBP?

Answer 10

• 75 million Americans have hypertension (1 in 3 adults)

According to AHA website: Nearly half of all adult Americans

Question 11

How many americans with HBP have it under control?

Answer 11

54%

Question 12

How many people will be diagnosed with HBP in their lifetimes?

Answer 12

90%

Question 13

How many people with diabetes also have HBP?

Answer 13

60%

Question 14

What does DASH stand for?

Answer 14

Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension

Question 15

DASH diet recommendations include:

Answer 15

Choose foods:
Low in sodium, saturated and trans fats;
Rich in potassium, calcium, and magnesium; fiber, and protein

limits salt to 2,300 milligrams (mg) a day (also per Dietary Guidelines for Americans).

That’s roughly 1 tsp of table salt.

A lower sodium version of DASH restricts sodium to 1,500 mg a day.

Eating vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.

Fat-free or low-fat dairy products, fish, poultry, beans, nuts, and vegetable oils.

Limiting foods high in saturated fat (eg. fatty meats), full-fat dairy products, and tropical oils such as coconut, palm kernel, and palm oils.

Limiting sugar-sweetened beverages and sweets.