15 Frequently Asked Questions About Hypertension Answered
Q1. What is hypertension, when am I hypertensive?
Answer: It is important to state that every human being who is alive has a blood pressure (BP). This is simply the pressure exerted on the blood vessels by the blood in circulation. This is expected to be in normal ranges in healthy individuals.
Hypertension is simply high Blood pressure (higher than the normal range). The point at which blood pressure is defined as hypertension is some what arbitrary. Presently, persisted B/P of 140/90 mmhg or above; measured on both arms is generally regarded as diagnostic.
The most recent guidelines for high B/P were issued in the 7th report of Joint National Committee on prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High B/P (JNC), B/P for adults is classified as follows:
Normal BP
120/80 mmHg
Pre Hypertension
121/81 to 139/89
Stage 1 Hypertension
140/90 - 159/99
Stage 2 Hypertension
160/100 and above
One of the numbers - top or bottom - needs to be high for you to be hypertensive or Prehypertensive
You’re therefore hypertensive when your B/P is 140/90 or above when taken on two or more occasions.
Q2. If my B/P is high now (i.e. 140/90 or more) does it mean I have hypertension?
Answer: No. Exercise, anxiety, discomfort and unfamiliar surrounding can all lead to a transient rise in B/P, so measurement, like I have said, should be repeated at least on three separate occasions before any patient is labeled hypertensive.
Q3. What are the cause(s) of Hypertension?
Answer: In 90-95% of high Blood pressure cases, there is no identifiable cause. This type of high BP is called essential hypenension. in the other 5-10%, there is an underlying cause. This can include:
- Kidney Disease
- Adrenal disease
- Thyroid disease
- Preclampsia disease
- Abnormal Blood vessels
Certain medication, including oral pills, cold remedies, even PCM (paracetamol) has been reported to increase the risk of hypertension, when used in high doses.
Q4. Does hypertension run in families?
Answer. Yes. 70% those with essential hypertension have another member of the family affected. it's inheritance is thought to be multi factorial
Q5. Who are those at risk of having hypertension?
Answer: Apart from those who have another member of the family that is affected (genetic factor), the following people are at higher risk than others:
- Elderly
- High salt intakers
- Tobacco smokers
- Alcoholics
- Those With Sedentary lifestyle
- Obese/Overweight people
- Those who take diet with high level of saturated fats
- People that are stressed
- Diabetic Patients
- People with occupation around/in airports and with lots of noise exposure
Q6: Can hypertension be as a result of a disease condition?
Answer: Yes. like I said, hypertension can be secondary to renal diseases, Endocrine disorders and so on.
Q7: Can some drugs cause hypertension
Answer: Yes. Drugs like oral pills, cortico steroids, NSAID drugs e.g. Aspirin and even high dose of PCM can lead to hypertension.
Q8: How do I know that l have hypertension?
Answer: You may not know until you check your B/P. Most people are asymtomatic (they have no complaints); This why hypertension is often called a silent killer, because you can have it for years and not know it. Infact, about 50miliions Americans have high B/P; but about 30% percent of then don’t know it. In Nigeria, more than 60% have it and do not know.
Fortunately; high B/P can be detected with a simple BP check and once you know you have high BP, you can work with your doctor to control it.
Q9: I’ve been told that l have Hypertension what should I do?
Answer
a) Register with a clinic (GP) where you can visit regularly.
b) Follow the lifestyle prescription you’re told by your doctor e.g. stop smoking, Exercise, reduce your salt intake, reduce your weight, eat loss fat etc. Losing a kilogram of mass generally reduces B/P by 2mmHg
c) Take your drugs as prescribed by your doctor. Don’t ever do self-medication for hypertension.
d) Visit the clinic regularly. Keep your appointment with your doctor. If you’re on drugs don’t stop it, seek and follow your doctor’s advice.
Q10: I was treated for hypertension sometimes ago and my BP has been normal without taking drugs, am I free now?
Answer: if your BP is now normal without drugs, keep an eye on it and check it regularly. But don't stop taking your drugs without your doctor's advice
Q11: What is the cure for Hypertension?
Answer: Hypertension has no cure, it can only be controlled or kept within normal range.
Doctors recommend weight loss, regular exercise and low salt intake as the first steps in managing mild to moderate hypertension.
These steps are highly effective in reducing B/P but easier to suggest than to achieve and most patients with moderate to severe hypertension end up requiring indefinite drug therapy to bring their blood pressure down to a safe level
Discontinuing smoking does not directly reduce B/p, but is vely important for people with hypertensnen because It reduces the risk of dangerous outcomes of hypertensnons such as stroke and heart attack. Mild hypertension is also treated by die, exercise and improved physical fitness. A diet rich in fruit and vegetables and fat free dairy foods and low in fat and salt lower B/P on people with hypertension. In short, B/P can be controlled by lifestyle adjustment +/- compliance to antihypertensive prescriptions as required by the doctor.
012. I’m hypertensive on drugs but my friend gave me some concoctions/ local herbs and told me that once I take it, I won't need to be on drugs again, doctor, what do you say?
Answer: Remember that whatever you take will not leave your body the same. Most drugs and concoctions have both good and bad effect on the body. For orthodox drugs, we know the both effect on you and we are prepared for the bad effect. For herbal and traditional medicine, the maker may know the good effect, but ignorant of the bad. Anyway, whatever you take, make sure you check your B/P always. The result of your B/P will tell us the effectiveness of the drugs, or herbal remedies you are taking
Q13: I was told sometimes that my B/P was a bit high but was not given any drugs, don’t I need
drugs?
Answer: There is an agreement that hypertension should be treated with antihypertensive drug, if the B/P is 140/90 or higher at age 20 - 49, or from 160/95 from aged 50). For mild to moderate hypertension, some patient will do well (have their B/P controlled) on lifestyle adjustment that we talked about earlier. It is when the lifestyle adjustment is not enough that we add antihypertensive drugs.
Q14: What are dangers that can be associated with hypertension?
Answer: While elevated BP alone is not an illness, it requires adequate and effective control due to its short and long term effects on many organs in the body. It can lead to the following when not adequately controlled
Cerebro vascular accidents (Stroke)
Myocardial Infarction (heart Attack)
Heart Diseases and Failure
Blindness from Hypertensive retinopathy
Kidney disease and failure
And so on
Q15: what can I do on my own to help control my high BP or prevent it
Answer: The best strategy for controlling and preventing high lood pressure begin with lifestyle changes.
Here‘s what you can do:
Eat for health. Eat a healthy diet based on a variety of foods, such as the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet. This diet emphasizes plenty of grains, fruits vegetables an low fat dairy foods. It can promote weight loss and help to lower blood pressure. Limiting sodium in your diet can also reduce blood pressure.
Achieve a healthy weight. If your body mass index (BMI) is 25 or more. lose weight. Losing as few as 10 pounds may reduce your blood pressure.
Exercise. Regular aerobic exercise seems to lower blood pressure in some people, even without weight loss. For example, vigorous walking for 30 minutes most days of the week will lower blood pressure and help with weight loss. Instead of meeting for lunch, decide to take a walk for your health.
Don't smoke. If you smoke, find a way to quit. When you have high blood pressure, using tobacco can lead to more cholesterol and other
fatty deposits in your arteries (atherosclerosis) and promote the constriction of your blood vessels.
Limit alcohol and caffeine. Even if you're healthy, alcohol and caffeine can raise your blood pressure to an unhealthy level. Reducing your consumption of alcohol can reduce your blood pressure. If you cut back to a moderate level of alcohol consumption, you can lower your systolic pressure by about two to four points and your diastolic pressure by about two points. Cutting caffeine can also make a difference.
Manage stress. Stress can increase your blood pressure temporarily and aggravate existing blood pressure. Over time, the physical effects of stress can be damaging to your health. You can avoid and better cope with stress by making changes in your normal routine and by developing relaxation techniques. You may be able to make your daily routine less stressful by being more organized
Dr Yinka Adeniran is a Business Coach, Healthcare Management Expert/Consultant Public Health Physician whose mission is to help people access the right information & Support that can transform their lives, career and business.
He is the Co-Founder at Sure Diagnostics, Petra Global Consulting & an Executive Director at Better Health for Africa Initiative
