Hypertension & Macrominerals: High Blood Pressure

Question 1

What is systolic and diastolic blood pressure? (mmHg)

Answer 1

Systolic pressure: top number occurs when your heart beats and pumps blood

Diastolic pressure: heart relaxes and fills w/ blood

Question 2

What is the healthy blood pressure ranges?

Answer 2

high BP: consistently > than 140/90 mmHg

diabetes: >130/80 mg Hg = high
optimal for most ppl = 120/80 mmHg

Question 3

What are some risk factors for hypertension?

Answer 3

family history, increases w/ age, increases w/ kidney and heart disease, little physical activity, obesity, diet (Na+ raises BP, high intakes of saturated and trans fat)

Question 4

How does sodium increased BP?

Answer 4

Increase NaCl intake or decrease renal Na+ excretion or increase Na+ re-absorption
-->
NaCl and water retention
--> increase plasma volume
-->increase BP

(sodium interferes w/ the bv smooth muscle activity: promotes muscle contraction)

Question 5

What is the association b/w potassium and BP?

Answer 5

increased K+ intake may decrease BP?
-increase urinary Na+ excretion

• decrease urinary Ca2+ and Mg2+ excretion
• increase vascular smooth muscle relaxation (vasodilation)
• decrease platelet aggregation (throbosis)
• decrease proliferation vascular smooth muscle cells

Question 6

What is the benefits of 10/5 mmHg decrease in BP?

Answer 6

decrease risk of:
heart failure by 50%
stroke by 38%
heart attack by 15%
death by 10%

Question 7

What is the DASH diet?

Answer 7

similar to Canada's food guide
other tips for reducing sodium:
-read food labels (food <15% DV)
-limit condiments (sauce)
-avoid processed meats
-rince canned foods (e.g. beans, peas, tuna)