Download Blood Pressure

Blood Pressure
 Blood pressure is the force of blood surging
against the walls of the arteries.
 Blood pressure measurements are expressed in
two numbers written as a fraction (e.g 120/80).
 Units used to measure blood pressure are in
mm Hg (millimetres Mercury).
 The higher number represents the systolic
pressure and the lower number represents the
diastolic pressure.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2A_wy8r93os
Systolic Blood Pressure
 The systolic pressure is the amount of force
exerted when the heart muscle contracts to
pump blood into the circulation.
 Basically it is the pressure of the heart when
its ventricles contract.
Diastolic Blood Pressure
 The diastolic pressure reflects the force of
blood flow when the heart is resting between
beats. This is when the ventricles of the
heart are relaxed and filling with blood,
getting ready for their next contraction.
 Blood pressure is controlled by the
arterioles, the smallest arteries in the
circulatory system.
 When these vessels constrict (narrow),
blood pressure rises.
 When the arterioles dilate (widen), blood
pressure drops.
Hypertension

High blood pressure or hypertension
occurs when there is excessive force
exerted on the walls of the arteries as the
heart pumps blood through the circulatory
system.
Symptoms of Hypertension
 Some symptoms of hypertension are:
-headaches
-swelling of the feet and ankles
-mini-strokes
-blurred vision
-difficulty breathing and fatigue
 Hypertension can exist for years without causing
symptoms. This is what makes it so serious.
 Even though a person may experience no
symptoms of hypertension, it can “silently”
cause serious damage to the heart, blood
vessels and kidneys.
 Hypertension that is not brought under
control can lead to a heart attack, a stroke
or serious kidney damage.
 There are two types of high blood pressure
or hypertension:
1.Primary or essential hypertension
2. Secondary hypertension
Primary Hypertension
 Accounts for more than 90% of all cases of
high blood pressure.
 The term primary or essential indicates that
there is no apparent cause for the condition.
Secondary Hypertension
 Secondary hypertension is the result of
another underlying medical problem such
as:
-genetics
-medications
-kidney disorders -tumours
-pregnancy
-alcohol
-etc…
Diagnosing Hypertension
 A person must show elevated blood
pressure readings on at least three
different occasions, on three different
days.
 This decreases the chance of incorrectly
diagnosing someone with hypertension.
Treatment of Hypertension
 In general, primary hypertension cannot be cured,
but it can be controlled by medication and life-style
changes such as:
-weight-loss
-salt restriction
-increased physical activity
 Secondary hypertension can be cured if the
underlying disease is cured or kept under control
 Hypertension that is left untreated usually
worsens, and in time, can cause severe
damage to the body’s organs.
 This increases the risk of stroke, heart
attack, and kidney failure.
Prevention: How to Avoid Primary
Hypertension




Maintain an ideal weight (BMI)
Use salt in moderation
Exercise regularly
Avoid smoking and excessive use of alcohol
and caffeine
 Manage stress effectively
How to Avoid Secondary
Hypertension
 Have regular blood pressure checks if taking
oral contraceptives (I.e. birth control pill).
 Avoid alcohol or use it in moderation.
 Seek prompt therapy for all illnesses,
especially those that are known to trigger
secondary hypertension.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0IngUYN
2OA&NR=1
Blood Pressure Classification
BP
Normal
Systolic BP
<120
Diastolic BP
<80
Prehypertension 120-139
80-89
Stage I
hypertension
Stage II
hypertension
140-159
90-99
160 and higher
100 and higher