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. 

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. 

Clinical mercury Manometre.

Electronic sphygmanometre

UNDERSTANDING BLOOD PRESSURE READINGS 

According to the American heart association, blood pressure ranges from:

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. 

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