MISSION TO MINNOW CHALLENGE AND CONTEST #4 : HYPERTENSION
In the world today, thousands of people die daily as a result of different medical condition that can be prevented with drugs, well equipped facilities and other minor things we take very common like exercises. My article today will be centered on public health and our topic will be on HYPERTENSION.
![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmWB22V97ERLr6jHSS1edTJP2MFoHVriWx9tXGD85qUnaJ/high-blood-pressure-raises-the-risk-of-a-number-of-health-problems-including-a-heart-attack.jpg)
WHAT IS HYPERTENSION?
Hypertension commonly called high blood pressure is one of the most common and silent killer known to man. While undetected, it can cause severe health damage to the body internal organs like kidney and cardiovascular system.
>Hypertension can be defined as a medical condition whereby blood pressure in the arteries increases consistently.According to the guidelines of medical practitioners, if your blood pressure rises above 140/90 mmHg, you are hypertensive.
There are several instrument used to test a patient suffering from high blood pressure.
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://steemitimages.com/DQmbznimEX82yDJs8dYumfY2LVtBvi2pej9nFuS1hVoXQrB/images.jpg)
Clinical mercury Manometre.
![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmSkMr91JZ8C9pvY8BQr5nwLSqFu5qjuotDP2LTco3QQ3u/images.jpg)
Electronic sphygmanometre
UNDERSTANDING BLOOD PRESSURE READINGS
According to the American heart association, blood pressure ranges from:
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://steemitimages.com/DQmdt7qV8JpotLgiVDdtEU8HjjwseQqRWryiMe79aRKGGbT/images-6.jpg)
Blood pressure readings always have two numbers. For instance the blood pressure readings might be 120/80mmHg.
When a person heart beat contracts and forces blood to the rest of the body through the arteries. This process is called systolic blood pressure number.
The process whereby the pressure in the heart rest and refills back with blood is called the diastolic number
FACTORS THAT CAN TRIGGER HYPERTENSION
- Age: people above 60 are prone to have H.Bp easily. The reason is because as they get older the arteries becomes narrow and stiffened
- Weight: having excessive weight and body fat increases your chances of having H.Bp
- Sex: the risk of having H.Bp is the same thing for the both sexes but men are more prone to have H.Bp at a younger age compared to women. While for women, at old age, the rate is high.
Other factors may include
- Alcohol
- Excess salt in food
- Health conditions
- Smoking
- Hard exercise
- Stress etc
CLASSIFICATION OF HYPERTENSION.
- Primary hypertension : this is an hypertension not triggered by another condition and is linked with genetics, lack of exercise, stress etc.
- Secondary hypertension, is triggered by another Medical conditions like diabetes, kidney disease, pregnancy, obesity Etc.
MANAGEMENT OF HYPERTENSION
- Intake of vegetables and fruits : people that are prone to H.bp, are advised to increase there intake of fruits and vegetables and avoid food or meat that has a lot of saturated fat in it.
- Checking your weight (weight loss):Since excess weight is one of the major cause of H.Bp, it's necessary you check your weight constantly.
- Regular exercise : exercise like walking, cycling, juggling are recommended by doctors to be done at least 5-7 times in a week.
- Reductions of intake of salt and alcohol: World Health Organisation recommended that the intake of salt should be lesser than 5gram a day for both hypertensive and non-hypertensive patients. According to America heart association, excessive alcohol is likely to increase B.p and risk of getting stroke.
- Stress reduction. Avoiding stress as much as possible and having a lot of rest and sleep helps control blood pressure.
![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmNwhpn7pww3FQ29tFmKS79c272BB6KXsfGDY7M5X8oUBU/IMG-20170901-WA0018.jpg)
Keeping your blood pressure low is necessary for a healthy and happy life. Meditation, eliminating toxic people and situations, and letting go of stressors in life all contribute to happy heart health!
Tnx @arbitrarykitten 4 sharing another vital information. I've learnt something new alongside with d one i know b4.
You are very welcome :)
Hi! @sbansoneu
This is instructive. Indeed H. Bp is a silent killer. Sometimes people die for what surpose not to kill them. Lack of knowledge otherwise called IGNORANCE. This piece is an intructive manual for those who want to put a check on their blood pressureH.Thanks and keep it up.
@praise-eu
Thank you very much my pastor 4 d word of encouragement
My dad was once a sufferer and it took his doctor almost 8 months to find the most effective way to control it and ever since then his life has been better. Thank you for this educative piece, i have gotten so many useful information
Hello @sbamsoneu
This is highly educative. How i wish people will focus more on how to prevent it by desist from those activities that can trigger it. Thanks for this information.
@maintain4real-eu
Hi sbamsoneu
Thanks for sharing this informative health article.
@dubem-eu
Alot of person has to see this. It is am eye opener. They said prevention is better than cure. Thanks for sharing @sbamsoneu
U are welcome tfame
Nice overview of hypertension. Having said that, on the management section you seem to have entirely missed out medication - which is what everyone will hypertension requires - I'll take a pill over a banana anyday when it comes to lowering BP
Cheers
I didnt add the drugs for it because I was feeling that if we can change some lifestyle it will help but now that u mentioned it now, I'll do a second edition, there are lots of things I missed out in order not to make d article to Long. Thanks for the information
Ah, makes sense!
Would be good to write a follow on post.
Lifestyle changes are really important, but for many many people they unfortunately won’t be maintained and/or enough and so drugs have a huge role here
Cheers
Hypertension also causes an enlarged heart. Unfortunately, sometimes we can't avoid stress and other things. Sadly, I am now on meds for this condition.
To avoid hypertension, live life as it comes and be happy. Great post @sbamsoneu
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