Hypertension and its Symptoms - Essay Example

? Hypertension Outline A. Hypertension and its Symptoms My selected ailment is hypertension. It is defined as a condition associated with a conglomerate of diseases, characterized by systolic blood pressure of 140mmHg and above or diastolic blood pressure of 90mmHg and above, based on a mean of not less than two readings obtained at the two or more visits after conducting the initial screening (www.ash-us.org/). Hypertension is a symptomless condition, though the below could indirectly point towards the condition: a. Blood spots observed in the eyes b. Dizziness c. Facial flushing (www.heart.org) B. The Main Causes of Hypertension The principle causes include genetics and lifestyle (www.heart.org). a. Family history b. Poor diet c. Lack of physical activity Causes the weakening and enlargement of the heart. Narrowing of arteries limits blood supply to legs, kidney, heart and brain. Causes bleeding or bursting of eye blood vessels, hence the blood spots in the eyes C. How Hypertension is Diagnosed a. Physical exam of the heart and ankle and arm pulses (www.nhlbi.nih.gov, www.heart.org) b. Sphygmomanometer (www.heart.org) D. Main Treatments for Hypertension 1. Calcium channel blockers (www.ash-us.org) a. Widens blood vessels b. Minimizes chances of blood spots in the eye. 2. Diuretics (www.nhlbi.nih.gov, www.ash-us.org) a. Makes it easier for heart to pump b. Reduce dizziness, making one active. E. Examples of Current Research on Hypertension 1. Innovating more effective anti-hypertension drugs – Research into the efficacy and safety of newly discovered anti-hypertension drugs at Rhode Island Hospital (www.rhodeislandhospital.org) 2. Integrating technology in hypertension management - E-health technology to connect patient to medical team (www.ahrq.gov) F. References A. Hypertension and its Symptoms My selected ailment is hypertension. It is defined by American Society of Hypertension, ASH (2013) as a condition associated with a conglomerate of diseases, which according to Kaplan and Weber (2010) would be characterized by systolic blood pressure of 140mmHg and above or diastolic blood pressure of 90mmHg and above, based on a mean of not less than two readings obtained at the two or more visits after conducting the initial screening. These diseases which hypertension would most likely occur with include kidney disease, obesity, diabetes and other lifestyle and genetic co-existing problems. Against the misconception that those people with hypertension, also referred to as high blood pressure, experience headaches, sweating, nervousness, facial flushing and sleeping difficulties, the condition according to the American Heart Association, AHA (2012) is largely symptomless. Nonetheless, eyes with blood spots could be an indirect indicator of hypertension resulting from damage to the optic nerve by untreated hypertension. Facial flushing, the red burning face, could occur due to temporary rise in blood pressure caused by alcohol consumption, exercise, emotional stress or heat, but is still not a direct outcome of hypertension. With hypertension being among the major stroke risk factors, dizziness, a warning sign of stroke, could be a pointer to hypertension. B. The Main Causes of Hypertension Hypertension would largely be caused by genetic factors and lifestyle as indicated by AHA (2012). Parents prone to hypertension would likely pass on the risk of the condition to their children, and this cannot be controlled. Poor diet has been noted to contribute to hypertension, particularly diets rich in sugars, fats and calories and low in essential nutrients. This makes one prone to obesity which risks the onset of hypertension. Excessive salt, especially to salt-sensitive persons, retains excess body fluids which could burden the heart, thus raising the blood pressure. Moreover, lack of physical activity increases the risk of obesity and being overweight which in turn exposes such persons to the risk of hypertension. These causes result in fatty deposits, known as plaques, to build up in the lining of walls of arteries which in turn thicken, calcify and narrow, thus restricting the flow of blood causing the death of tissues that rely on the arteries for oxygen supply. This causes the heart to enlarge and become weaker which could eventually result in heart failure. It also limits blood flow to kidneys, legs and brain. The blood vessels in the eyes could also bleed or burst as a result of this pressure change thus causing blood spots in the eyes and facial flushing. C. How Hypertension is Diagnosed Diagnosis of hypertension involves physical examination. According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, NHLBI (2012), the doctor uses a stethoscope for this examination. A stethoscope would reveal any abnormal sounds from the heart and swishing or whooshing sound from the arteries which could be an indication of partial blockage of the arteries. The blockage of arteries could also be determined by checking for the strength or presence of pulses in the arm and ankle according to AHA (2012). Sphygmomanometer is an instrument that confirms the existence of hypertension. It is made up of a rubber chuff placed and inflated around the patient arms, together with a gauge that measures blood pressure. Normal BP has 120 mmHg/80 mmHg, 120 – 139 mmHg/80 – 89 mmHg, 140 – 160 mmHg/90 – 100 mmHg for normal, pre-hypertension and high BP, systolic/diastolic pressures respectively (AHA, 2012). D. Main Treatments for Hypertension Treatment for hypertension would sustainably include dietary changes, exercise and medication. According to ASH (2012), calcium channel blockers are drugs used to bring down the blood pressure. These drugs slow down the inflow of calcium into the cells in the heart and the walls of blood vessels. This makes pumping easier for the heart, thus widening the blood vessels. This way, there would be adequate supply of oxygenated blood to the veins and brain hence minimizes chances of burst vessels that cause blood spots in the eye. Another form of treatment entails the use of diuretics. Also referred to as water pills by NHLBI (2012), these drugs get rid of water and salt not needed in the body through the urine. This way, the blood pressure gets lowered making it easier for the heart to pump (ASH, 2012). This allows circulation of oxygenated blood in the body hence reduce dizziness, making one active. E. Examples of Current Research on Hypertension Research studies have been conducted to find ways to leverage hypertension management on Information Technology. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (2013) is currently involved in a research to test the effectiveness of a technological solution in hypertension referred to as e-health blood pressure control system. This technology integrates the data from home blood pressure monitor, HBPM, to a web portal which contains personal health record and electronic medical record, and connects patients to the relevant medical team. More research continues to be conducted to determine the efficacy and safety of emerging anti-hypertension drugs. The Rhode Island Hospital (2012) has been involved in such studies to determine the efficacy and safety of recently discovered anti-hypersensitive agents. Specifically, the safety and efficacy of novel angiotensin II receptor antagonists are being tested with regard to their action on not just blood pressure but also cardiovascular morbidity and mortality among patients with essential hypertension. References Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (2013, October). E-health blood pressure control program shows positive preliminary results: Health Information Technology. Retrieved 20 October 2013 from www.ahrq.gov American Heart Association. (2012, April 4). High blood pressure. Retrieved 20 October 2013 from www.heart.org American Society for Hypertension. (2013). Translating hypertension research into effective treatments for patients. Retrieved 20 October 2013 from www.ash-us.org Kaplan, N., & Weber, M. A.(2010). Hypertension essentials (2nd ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. (2012, August 2). Explore high blood pressure. Retrieved 20 October 2013 from www.nhlbi.nih.gov Rhode Island Hospital. (2012). New treatment methods for hypertension/chronic renal disease. Nephrology Research. Retrieved 20 October 2013 from www.rhodeislandhospital.org Read More