About Hypertension

Paul J Johnson asked:


Though not commonly considered, there is a direct link between diabetes and hypertension. Many overlook this fact, because they believe the two to be unrelated. After all, diabetes deals with blood sugar levels and hypertension deals with blood pressure. This misconception is quite false, however. There is an easily proven, easily seen correlation between diabetes and hypertension. It is important to understand this in order to maintain your highest degree of health when faced with either or both of these conditions.

The link between them, to simply explain it, is this: when your body produces more insulin than normal, it can effect certain key points, such as blood vessels found in the kidneys. These vessels can expand with the insulin and begin to retain salt. Your kidneys can malfunction with that. Also, diabetes can cause the vessels to harden. This restricts the flow of fluids and causes blood pressure to rise, resulting in hypertension.

As shown above, having diabetes puts you at high risk for developing hypertension. Hypertension is twice as likely to occur in individuals with diabetes than those without and it will develop in over sixty percent of people with Type II diabetes.

Because of this, it is essential that you understand how to avoid hypertension. Diabetes takes enough of a toll on your body without adding these serious effects. Together, diabetes and hypertension can raise the risk for heart attack, kidney malfunction, heart failure and more. So you must learn the steps to take to avoid hypertension. Discuss this with your doctor and also note some of the basic lifestyle changes listed below:

One: lower your blood pressure with a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. Meat and dairy products can raise your pressure levels. Try to substitute them with a vegetarian diet. While you do not have to completely cut meat and dairy products out entirely, you should to eat them moderation.

Two: exercise. The easiest way to keep both your blood pressure down and also maintain a healthy insulin level is to exercise. Consult with your doctor to discover your healthy bodyweight and then take the steps to achieve it. Steady, daily exercise will do much for your body.

Three: medication. There are some medications available that could help keep your blood pressure in check. You must, of course, make sure that these will not combat against any other medicine you are taking. Your doctor will be able to prescribe them to you and explain just what they do.

Diabetes and hypertension are related. Yes, it is possible to have one without the other and, yes, there are certainly millions of people who do. That does not change the fact, however, that you are twice as likely to develop high blood pressure when you have diabetes.

It cannot be stressed enough that diabetes and hypertension are linked together and you it pays to do everything you can to stop them both from forming in your body. Of course, some may suggest different types of therapy, along with the lifestyle changes we mentioned above. Techniques such as color therapy are quite popular these days and have sparked much debate over their efficacy. Should you decide to try these methods to replace or compliment your other efforts, it is important to understand the way they work, and to consult with your doctor.

Tracy

Nick Johnson asked:


If you have been diagnosed with Primary Pulmonary Hypertension by your PPH specialist, you need to know the Primary Pulmonary Hypertension side effects as well. To this end, we will discuss these side effects in depth.

As with any drug, there are accompanying side effects. People with Primary Pulmonary Hypertension may respond differently to medications that are meant to dilate and relax the blood vessels. Because no one drug can be consistent with every person in its efficacy to alleviate the symptoms, different drugs nonetheless have to be utilized before any long term treatment is prescribed. In addition, as with many medications, one may become resistant or develop severe reactions, in which case the amount and type of drug may have to be changed.

For those who suffer from Primary Pulmonary Hypertension, the only way to ascertain which drugs will be effective is to perform a cardiac catheterization. In this way, the PPH specialist can determine which medications have more of an effect on the heart and lungs of the affected individual. Further, they can also adjust the dosage to reduce any side effects incurred. Some of these side effects may include: low blood pressure, nausea, angina, or headaches.

In order to determine whether a drug is improving an individual’s condition, both the pulmonary pressure and the amount of blood being pumped by the heart has to be evaluated. A decrease in pulmonary pressure alone, for example, does not necessarily mean that the individual is recovering. Cardiac output must either increase or remain unchanged. The desired response is a decrease in pressure and an increase in cardiac output. Once the individual has reached a stable condition, he or she can go home, returning every few weeks or months to the PPH specialist doctor for further check ups.

Individuals with Primary Pulmonary Hypertension can be treated with calcium channel blocking drugs given by mouth. By relaxing the smooth muscle in the walls of the heart and blood vessels, these calcium channel blockers improve the ability of the heart to pump blood. In addition, a vasodilator is helping some severely ill individuals who are unresponsive to treatment with calcium channel blockers.

These medicines enable the vessels in the lungs to expand and allow the blood to move through them with less resistance. The primary drugs in this category are prostacyclin, which is given as a continuous intravenous infusion, and treprostinil, which is given as a continuous infusion under the skin. Protstacyclin seems to improve Primary Pulmonary Hypertension and permit more physical activity. It is sometimes used as a bridge to help those patients waiting for a transplant, while in other cases it is used for long-term treatment.

Studies have indicated, however, that certain drugs to cause side effects, specifically the drug Tracleer. The side effects include: nasal stuffiness, flushing, headache, hypotension, fainting, and abnormal elevation of liver function blood tests. The most important side effect has been elevation of liver function tests and as a result, liver function tests should be monitored monthly in individuals receiving Tracleer.

It should be noted that no one has yet developed permanent liver damage, and so far, all abnormal liver function tests have returned to normal after discontinuing Tracleer.

Another drug, which was used in the treatment of Primary Pulmonary Hypertension and caused severe side effects, was the drug Flolan. These side effects included: nausea, vomiting, headache, low blood pressure, chest pain, anxiety, dizziness, abdominal pain, and musculoskeletal pain.

Remodulin, a drug used in the treatment of Primary Pulmonary Hypertension, also produced side effects including: headache, jaw pain, vomiting, nausea and diarrhea. The most serious side effect of this particular drug is pain associated with the insertion and presence of the metal tube inserted under the skin. Moreover, a separate prescription for pain relief has to be prescribed to ease the pain.

It should be noted here that Flolan is chemically similar to Remodulin but they are not identical. Both are prostacyclins, and both are injections requiring an electronic portable pump. Flolan is given by a continuous 24/7 intravenous infusion into a surgically placed catheter into a vein under the collarbone, while Remodulin is given by a continuous infusion directly into the skin as mentioned above.

Considering the amount of medications used for Primary Pulmonary Hypertension, which has been directly related to the use of Fen-Phen, and for which a variety of side effects can be associated with these different drugs, it seems appropriate to contact a PPH attorney who not only specializes in pharmaceutical litigation, but one that is more than knowledgeable on the drug Fen-Phen as well. Moreover, any individual who has used Fen-Phen, and for which no symptoms have yet become apparent, should also seek the advice of a PPH attorney.

It is painfully clear that any individual who has taken Fen-Phen will become affected by Primary Pulmonary Hypertension within the next 10 years. Thus, seeking monetary and punitive damages through the capable hands of a PPH attorney is the thing one can do to ensure the obvious costs of medications and possibly surgery will be remunerated by such legal action.

Clifford

godrics asked:


I read up somewhere that hypertension in general means arterial hypertension.
then what does pulmonary arterial hypertension mean?

Marlene

Paul J Johnson asked:


Hypertension kidney effects are well publicized into today’s world of health consciousness. Doctors are constantly reminding us of their dangers. So why is it that so many people are still confused, not only by the idea of hypertension but the kidneys themselves? The answer is simple: you can’t
just say hypertension kidney effects are devastating; you have to explain what they actually are. Otherwise, people will continue to suffer needlessly. Hypertension can be avoided; kidney damage can be avoided. You just have to know what these things are and what to look out for.

Your kidneys work to remove extra waste and fluid from your body (on average, they process close to two hundred quarts of blood a day). When you have high blood pressure, however, this process becomes difficult–if not impossible. High blood pressure, which can easily become the more serious hypertension, constricts the blood vessels in your kidneys. With a normal range, usually one hundred twenty over eighty, fluids are uninhibited, able to move throughout the vessels. When your blood pressure reaches the level of hypertension, though, the blood vessels grow small and fluid cannot escape. This can have devastating effects on your kidneys and the rest of your body.

This is what hypertension does to you. It can be avoided, however, with a combination of lifestyle changes and medication. You must, of course, consult with your doctor before undertaking any new sort of life regimen but the suggestions below are steps that most people can do:

One: lose weight. I know this is never what people want to hear, but to combat hypertension kidney effects, you should begin an exercise and dieting program and loose those extra pounds. Blood pressure correlates with the strain you put on your body; the more your heart has to work, the higher the numbers will be. You need to start a program that will help you lose weight and maintain a healthier lifestyle. Simple actions like daily walks and cutting back on calorie-heavy foods will do much to help keep your blood pressure under control. This will, of course, help you avoid hypertension kidney troubles.

Two: learn moderation. You must at the very least cut down on vices such as drinking or smoking. It is, of course, recommended that you stop these activities entirely. Hypertension has been directly linked to those with elevated drinking patterns. Overindulging when drinking and continuing to smoke just puts a greater strain on your body. Another thing to moderate is your salt intake; this is not just a seasoning. In truth, salt plays a vicious part of hypertension kidney effects. It can easily raise your blood pressure level and constrict blood vessels. There are plenty of other seasonings you can add to food to give flavor such as herbs, garlic or black pepper.

Three: take medication. Consult with your doctor about the value of certain medications and how they will effect you. Prescriptions like angiotensin converting enzymes have been proven to provide protection to the kidneys and keep blood pressure levels in a normal range. Naturally, if you have other health issues like diabetes, then certain medicines may not be available to you. Your doctor will be able to direct you to the proper ones.

Of course, you may not need medication at all. If your blood pressure levels are closer to normal, simple life changes may be enough to maintain a healthy number and keep hypertension kidney effects from occurring. Many find that daily exercise and dieting will dramatically lower their blood pressure. There are some debates over the value of certain diets, however (such as the vegetarian lifestyle and how it relates to hypertension). Still, you will find that the changes mentioned above are healthy choices to make when you understand how they work to keep you and your body in top form.

Luis

MommyofTwo asked:


I need to develop a care plan for a patient with hypertension and include teaching self measurement of B/P after discharge. Can anyone help me to write one or find a sample one. Thanks - I really need the help!

Alma

sulamita berrezi asked:


High blood pressure or hypertension - to give it the correct medical term - is regarded as the

silent killer. It is a disease of the modern age. The fast pace of life and the mental and physical

pressures caused by the industrial and metropolitan environments give rise to psychological

tensions. Worry and mental tension increases the adrenaline in the blood stream and this, in

turn, causes the pressure of the blood to rise.

The blood which circulates through the arteries within the body supplies every cell with

nourishment and oxygen. The force exert by the heart as it pumps the blood into the large

arteries creates a pressure within them and this is called blood pressure. A certain level of blood

pressure is thus essential to keep the blood circulating in the body. But when the pressure

becomes too high, it results in hypertension which is caused by spasm or narrowing of the small

blood vessels, known as capillaries, throughout the body. This narrowing puts more stress on

the heart to pump blood through the blood vessels. Hence, the pressure of the blood to get

through rises in proportion to the pressure on the heart.

The blood pressure is measured with the instrument called sphygmomanometer in millimeters of

mercury. The highest pressure reached during each heart beat is called systolic pressure and

the lowest between the two beats is known as diastolic pressure. The first gives the pressure of

the contraction of the heart as it pushes the blood on its journey through the body and indicates

the activity of the heart. The second represents the pressure present in the artery when the heart

is relaxed and shows the condition of the blood vessels. The blood pressure level considered

normal is 120/70, but may go up to 140 /90 and still be normal. Within this range, the lower the

reading, the better. Blood pressure between 140/90 and 160/95 is considered border line area.

From 160/96 to 180/114 , it is classed as moderate hypertension, while 180/115 and upward is

considered severe. A raised diastolic pressure is considered more serious than the raised

systolic pressure as it has a serious long-term effect. The higher the pressure the greater the

danger it causes to the wall.

Symptoms

Mild and moderate hypertension may not produce any symptoms for years. The first symptoms

may appear in the form of pain toward the back of the head and neck on waking in the morning,

which soon disappears. Some of the other usual symptoms of hypertension are dizziness, aches

and pains in the arms, shoulder region, leg, back, etc., palpitations, pain in the heart region,

frequent urination, nervous tension and fatigue, crossness, emotional upset, tiredness and

wakefulness.

A person suffering from high blood pressure cannot do any serious work, feels tired and out of

sorts all the time. He may experience difficulty in breathing and suffer from dyspepsia.

Hypertension, if not eliminated, may cause heart attacks or strokes or other disability conditions

such as detachment of the terina.

Causes

The most important causes of hypertension are stress and a faulty style of living. People who

are usually tense suffer from high blood pressure, especially when under stress. If the stress

continues for a longperiod, the pressure may become permanently raised and may not become

even after removal of the stress. An irregular life style, smoking and an excessive intake of

intoxicants, tea, coffee, cola drinks, refined foods, destroy the natural pace of life. The expulsion

of waste and poisonous matter from the body is prevented and the arteries and the veins

become slack. hardening of the arteries , obesity, diabetes and severe constipation also lead to

hypertension. Other causes of high blood pressure are excessive intake of pain killers, common

table salt, food allergies and eating a high fat, low fibre diet, processed foods deficient in

essential nutrients.

The kidneys play an important role in controlling blood pressure through secretion of rennin, a

natural chemical. If increased rennin is secreted by the kidneys, more salts are retained in the

body, which leads to an increase in the volume of circulating blood and consequently to an

increase in the blood pressure. Repeated infections and inflammation in the kidneys can also

give rise to hypertension.

The Cure

The modern medical treatment of high blood pressure is highly unscientific as it brings down the

pressure by drugs without making any effort to remove the underlying causes. Drugs may

temporarily reduce blood pressure,but they do not cure the condition and are harmful in the

ultimate analysis. All drugs against hypertension without exception, are toxic and have

distressing side effects. The safest way to cure hypertension is to remove the real cause. The

natural way of dealing with it is to eliminate the poisons from the system which cause it. Persons

with high blood pressure should always follow a well-balanced routine of proper diet, exercise

and rest. Diet is of primary importance. Meat and eggs cause the blood pressure to rise more

than any other food. The pressure is lowered and blood clotting diminished by partaking of a

higher fruit content, lower protein and non-flesh diet. A natural diet consisting of fresh fruits and

vegetables, instead of a traditional diet, is helpful in getting rid of the poisons from the body. A

hypertension patient should start the process of healing by living on an exclusive fruit-diet for

atleast a week, and take fruits at five-hourly intervals thrice in the day. Oranges, apples, pears,

mangoes, guava, pineapples, raspberry, water-melon are the best diet in such cases. Bananas

and jack fruit should not be taken. Milk may be taken after a week of ‘fruits only’ diet. The milk

should be fresh and should be boiled only once. The patient can be permitted cereals in his food

after two weeks.

Vegetables are also good for the patient of hypertension. They should preferably be taken raw. If

they are cooked, it should be ensured that their natural juices are not burnt in the process of

cooking. Vegetables like cucumber, carrot, tomatoes, onion, radish, cabbage and spinach are

best taken in their raw form. They may be cut into small pieces and sprinkled with a little salt and

the juice of a lemon added to them so as to make them more palatable.

Garlic is regarded as one of the most effective remedies to lower blood pressure. The pressure

and tension are reduced because it has the power to ease the spasms of the small arteries.

Garlic also slows the pulse and modifies the heart rhythm besides relieving the symptoms of

dizziness, numbness, shortness of breath and the formation of gas within the digestive tract. The

average dosage should be two to three capsules a day to make a dent in the blood pressure.

Indian gooseberry (amla) is another effective food remedy for high blood pressure. A

tablespoonful each of fresh amla juice and honey mixed together should be taken every morning

in this condition. Lemon is also regarded as a valuable food to control high blood pressure. It is a

rich source of vitamin P which is found both in the juice and peel of the fruit. This vitamin is

essential for preventing capillary fragility.

Watermelon is another valuable safeguard against high blood pressure. It was proved in recent

experiments that a substance extracted from watermelon seeds has a definite action in dilating

the blood vessels, which results in lowering the blood pressure.

Recent studies have revealed an important link between dietary calcium and potassium and

hypertension. Researchers have found that people who take potassium-rich diets have a low

incidence of hypertension even if they do not control their salt-intake. They have also found that

people with hypertension do not seem to get much calcium in the form of dairy products. The

two essential nutrients seem to help the body throw off excess sodium and are involved in

important functions which control the working of the vascular system. Potassium is found in

abundance in fruits and vegetables and calcium in dairy products.

Exercise plays an important role in curing hypertension. Walking is an excellent form of exercise.

It helps to relieve tension, builds up the muscles and aids in the circulation of blood. As the blood

pressure shows signs of abating, more exercise like bicycling, swimming, jogging should be

taken. Yogic asanas such as surya namaskar, makrasana,matsyasana, vajrasana,

ardhapadmasana, pavan-muktasana, shavasana and simple pranayama like anuloma-viloma

and abdominal breathing are beneficial. All asanas should, however, be discontinued except

shavasana if the blood pressure is above 200 milimeters.

Water Treatment

Prolonged neutral bath daily for an hour or so at 90 o to 95 o will be beneficial. Cold compress

should be kept on the head during this bath. Other water treatments include hot foot or leg bath

for 10 minutes, hot compress over the heart replacing it as bath cools down.

Persons suffering from hypertension must ensure at least eight hours of restful sleep, because

proper rest is an important aspect of the treatment. Most important of all, the patient must avoid

over-straining, worries, tension, anger and haste. He must try to be cheerful and develop a

contented mind. The natural treatment may take sometime but it is the safest and best way to

get rid of this disease.

Shirley

baby1august asked:


I am almost 25 weeks and have been going to the drs weekly since 19 weeks due to high blood pressure at 19 weeks. Since 19 weeks though my bp has been great. (today it was 120/78). Today she told me I was measuring big (yikes I gained 3 pounds this week but I had mild swelling in my feet) and she is having me get an ultra sound done and sent me over for blood work also. On the paper that I have to give the labs it said “measuring big for date” and “Pregnancy induced Hypertension”.

I guess I thought PIH was if you had high blood pressure? And is me measuring big a sign of PIH? Everything I read on the internet doesn’t mention measuring big as PIH.

Juan

Nazima Golamaully asked:


There no doubts to the fact that there are more than a few advantages to performing exercise for hypertension. Among the major benefits that you can derive is helping to reverse any downward spiraling of your state of health and at the same time making you more energetic. What’s more, it makes socializing more fun while cutting down on paying for costly treatments and of course, it also helps in improving your looks.

Among the different kinds of exercise for hypertension that you can perform, swimming is one form of exercise that will provide you with a lot of benefits. Or, you may even want to choose an exercise what suits your particular body type, and choosing one that helps you overcome weight problems is recommended as it will also help benefit your joints.

Swimming Will Take The Load Off Your Joints

Swimming of course is among the best exercise for hypertension though it presupposes that you already know how to swim. Nevertheless, your body will benefit a lot because the buoyancy from the water will help take the weight off of your joints and thus improve their condition while not causing any further damage to your body as a whole.

However if you are not a swimmer, then you can choose to cycle which is a good exercise for hypertension and in this exercise you won’t be burdening your legs too much. In fact, the weight is not so great on your legs since you will be using them to push the pedals rather than have them bear the weight of the rest of your body.

Aerobics exercises for hypertension is another wonderful option for you as it can provide you with a lot of benefits thanks to the intensity of the different exercises. In fact, aerobics exercises help you use your larger muscles and it helps to further strengthen your lungs as well as heart and it also aids in improving how the body uses up oxygen. The main benefits of aerobic exercises are that it will improve the condition of your heart and when performed regularly, it will bring down the heart rate as well as blood pressure and at the same time improve your breathing.

You should also ensure that prior to performing an exercise for hypertension to makes sure that you stretch your legs and arms, especially as this will help prepare your muscles to perform strenuous activity and thus keep you from getting injured or straining your muscles needlessly. Also, you may even want to consider exercise for hypertension that will strengthen your muscles and in turn will help tire out your muscles.

Samantha