Week 17 Blood Pressure

Question 1

Blood Pressure Basic (4)

Answer 1

• Blood pressure is the pressure of circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels
• Blood is pumped out from the heart to the rest of the body through the circulatory system
• Blood pressure rises and falls throughout the day
• Blood pressure that remains high for a long time can damage the heart and set the stage for disease

Question 2

Measuring Blood Pressure

Answer 2

• use a blood pressure cuff around arm
• Systolic measures the pressure in blood vessels when your heart beats
• Diastolic measures the pressure in blood vessels when the heart rests between beats

Question 3

Signs and Symptoms

Answer 3

• Hypertension is called the “silent killer”
• Usually no warning signs or symptoms
• Rarely one may experience headaches or shortness of breath
• Measuring your blood pressure is the only way to know whether you have high blood pressure

Question 4

Risk Factors

Answer 4

• Pre-hypertension increases the risk of chronic high blood pressure in the future
• Diabetes diagnosis increases risk
• About 60% of people who have diabetes also have high blood pressure
• Poor nutrition– excessive sodium, low potassium, excessive alcohol
• Having excess body fat (adds stress to heart and blood vessels)
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Use of tobacco

Question 5

Effects of High Blood Pressure

Answer 5

• High blood pressure can harden the arteries and make them less flexible
• Untreated hypertension can lead to heartkidney failure, stroke, blindness
• Hypertension costs $46B/yr to treat
• Longer blood flow to the heart is blocked the greater damage occurs
• Less flexible arteries decreases blood flow and oxygen to the heart and leads to heart disease
Decreased blood flow to heart can also cause
• Chest pain (angina)
• Heart attack (myocardial infarction)
• Heart failure
Decreased blood flow to the brain can cause:
• Stroke
• Poor cognitive function & dementia

Question 6

Controlling Blood Pressure

Answer 6

Lifestyle changes
Nutrition
• Plant-based foods-, fruit and veg (potassium-rich)
• Reduce processed foods & dining out (high-sodium)
• DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension)- This diet can lower blood pressure in little as 2 weeks
• Limit alcohol
Physical activity
• Can support weight management
• Cardio
Sleep (7-9 hours), quit smoking, and manage stress

Question 7

Blood Pressure Levels- American College of Cardiology/American Heart (2017)

Answer 7

• Normal systolic: less than 120 mmHg/80
• ELEVATED 120–129/ less than 80
• High (Hypertension) 130 + /80 +

Question 8

American College of -Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention… (2003)

Answer 8

• Normal systolic: less than 120 mmHg/80
• AT RISK (pre-hypertension) 120–139/ 80–89
• High (Hypertension) 140 /90 or higher

Question 9

Heart failure

Answer 9

Decrease blood to the heart means decreased blood to organs. Also heart starts to die due to a lack of oxygen