2. Types of Hypertension
Affects ~50 million people in the US
Types:
1. Primary
Chronic high blood pressure without a source or associated
with any other disease
Most common form of hypertension
2. Secondary
Elevation of blood pressure associated with another disease
such as kidney disease
3. Causes
Genetics-some people are prone to hypertension simply based off
of their genetic makeup
Family History- your risk for high blood pressure/hypertension
increases if it is in your family history
Environment
Inactivity
Stress
Obesity
Alcohol
High Sodium Diet
Tobacco Use
Age
Menopausal Medications
4. Further Complications of High
Blood Pressure
Thickening of the heart muscle
Increased workload of the heart
May lead to other conditions such as:
Heart attack
Stroke
Renal (Kidney) Failure
Loss of vision
5. Who is at Risk??
African Americans have a higher risk of high blood
pressure/hypertension
40% of all African Americans in the US will develop
hypertension in comparison to 27% in white
populations
This is due to:
African Americans respond differently to Blood Pressure
medications
African Americans have a higher sensitivity to salt
½ teaspoon of salt can raise your blood pressure 5mmHg
6. Signs and Symptoms
Diagnosed through repeat blood pressure readings
Primary Hypertension does not have symptoms other
than high blood pressure
Secondary Hypertension
Most likely caused by Renal Disorders, symptoms you will
see:
Decreased urine formation
Increased sodium and water retention
7. Treatments
Step 1:
Lifestyle modifications
Diet and exercise
Limit alcohol and tobacco use
Reduce stress factors
Step 2:
If lifestyle changes are not enough, drug therapy will be
introduced
Step 3:
If previous steps don’t work, drug dose or type will be changed
or another drug is added
Step 4:
More medications are added until blood pressure is controlled
8. Prevention
Lifestyle changes
Having regular checkups with your physician
Education
Being aware of your blood pressure and where it should
be
Understanding your personal risk factors
Engaging in community health awareness acitivities
9. Living With High Blood
Pressure
Living with High Blood Pressure requires a lot of lifestyle
changes
Diet
Exercise
Taking prescribed medications as required by your doctor
Recognize it is an ongoing process which requires regular
checkups, taking medication regularly and checking blood
pressure regularly
Recognizing there can be complications with pregnancy
while living with high blood pressure
Damage to kidneys and other organs in mother and fetus
Low birth weight
Preeclampsia
10. References
Powerpoint notes taken from Dr. Van
Berkhom, Professor of Biology at Bethel
Univeristy, Hypertension lecture
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-
topics/topics/hbp/signs.html
