Hypertension

Question 1

What are the 3 main risk factors for hypertension?

Answer 1

• Overweight/obesity
• Physical inactivity
• High salt intake

Question 2

What is the most effective way to reduce blood pressure?

Answer 2

Weight loss

Question 3

What is the DASH diet?

Answer 3

• Emphasizes plant foods (fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grain
  carbohydrate sources)
• Restricts processed meats, sausages, etc, that are very high in salt and high in SFA
• Emphasizes low fat dairy, meats, and other animal products
• A caloric intake that achieves and maintains a healthy body weight

Question 4

What does the DASH diet stand for?

Answer 4

Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension

Question 5

Explain how omega-3 may help to reduce hypertension.

Answer 5

Omega-3 releases a free radical that acts as a vasodilator.

Question 6

T/F: Alcohol increases risk of hypertension

Answer 6

True - Excessive alcohol accounts for 5% of hypertensives

Question 7

List a complication due to hypertension for each of the following organs: Brain, heart, eyes, and kidneys.

Answer 7

Brain: Stroke

Heart: myocardial infarction, hypertension cardiomyopathy (heart failure)

Eyes: Hypertension retinopathy

Kidneys: Kidney failure (hypertension nephropathy)

Question 8

List in order of most effective to least effective the strategies that are used to reduce BP.

Answer 8

1. Weight loss for people with obesity
2. DASH diet for people with hypertension
3. Reduce sodium for people with hypertension
4. Increase PA for sedentary people
5. Decrease alcohol intake for people who drink too much