Understanding Blood Pressure

Understanding Blood pressure By the end of this session participants will be able to: Understand that blood pressure is dynamic and ever changing. Understand what systolic and diastolic numbers mean Recognize the negative implications of uncontrolled high blood pressure Give 3 lifestyle changes to help reduce blood pressure List 4 risk factors for HBP 1. Put on video

How much do you know? Questions Answers Another name for high blood pressure is? __________,__________, and ________ are 3 ways to help reduce BP Prehypertension is not really high blood pressure. T F Salt intake can affect blood pressure? T F A red zone (high) blood pressure reading is____ You are more at risk for HBP if you are overweight? T F High blood pressure can be cured? T F A green zone (normal) blood pressure reading is_____ A yellow zone reading is______________ Exercise HYPERTENSION Weight loss Less than 120 (systolic) and less than 80 (diastolic) TWO Quit smoking 140 or higher (systolic) or 90 or higher (diastolic) 120‐139 (systolic) or 80‐89 (diastolic)

What Does the Systolic ( TOP ) Number Mean? When your heart beats, it contracts and pushes blood through the arteries to the rest of your body. This force creates pressure on the arteries. This is called systolic blood pressure. A normal systolic blood pressure is below 120. A systolic blood pressure of 120 to 139 means you have prehypertension, or borderline high blood pressure. A systolic blood pressure number of 140 or higher is considered to be hypertension, or high blood pressure.

What Does the ( bottom )Diastolic Number Mean? The diastolic blood pressure number or the bottom number indicates the pressure in the arteries when the heart rests between beats. A normal diastolic blood pressure number is less than 80. A diastolic blood pressure between 80 and 89 indicates prehypertension. A diastolic blood pressure number of 90 or higher is considered to be hypertension or high blood pressure.

Risk Factors Risk Factors That Can Be Changed Unhealthy diet Physical inactivity Overweight or obesity Excessive alcohol Smoking Stress Excessive caffeine Prehypertension Risk Factors That Cannot Be Changed Age Gender Ethnicity Family history 1. What can be changed is up to you. Your choices 2. set goals for change 2a. How do you eat an elephant? One step at a time. Goals should be: SMART; S=Specific M=measurable A=attainable R=relevant to you T= time bound

Blood Pressure Category This chart reflects blood pressure categories defined by the American Heart Association. Blood Pressure Category Systolic mm Hg (upper #) Diastolic mm Hg (lower #) Normal less than 120 and less than 80 Prehypertension 120 – 139 or 80 – 89 High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Stage 1 140 – 159 90 – 99 High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Stage 2 160 or higher 100 or higher Hypertensive Crisis (Emergency care needed) Higher than 180 Higher than 110 Anyone with a systolic (top number) reading of 120 or over, or a diastolic (bottom) reading of 80 or over, now has prehypertension, which means we're at increased risk of heart disease and stroke. Between those of us with newly-minted prehypertension (some 23% of the population), and people who have full-blown hypertension (at least another 25%), danger-zone blood pressure is an emerging epidemic in this country. Nearly half of all American adults over 18 are in one category or the other This is a wake-up call. We've changed what normal is, because we now know that blood pressure in the prehypertension range is not normal," says Sheldon Sheps, MD, medical editor of MayoClinic.com's High Blood Pressure There is increasing evidence of the relationship between an elevated blood pressure and future problems with heart attack and stroke. With each level of increase in pressure, you get increased risk," he tells WebMD. Consider these startling statistics: Starting as low as 115/75, the risk of heart attack and stroke doubles for every 20-point jump in systolic blood pressure or every 10-point rise in diastolic blood pressure. People with blood pressure levels between 120/80 and 140/90 - levels once considered normal - have twice the risk of heart disease as those with low blood pressure. And people with blood pressure above 140/90 - the definition of high blood pressure -have four times the risk of heart disease as people with low blood pressure. "We've also learned that people age 55 and older, who currently have normal blood pressure, have a 90% risk of developing high blood pressure down the road," says Aram

What Is Prehypertension? Prehypertension is a warning sign that you may get high blood pressure in the future. There's no cure for high blood pressure, but there is treatment with diet, lifestyle habits, and medications.

Prehypertension & Hypertension Hypertension is a growing epidemic in the U.S. Nearly half of all adults older than age 18 have prehypertension or hypertension, as measured by average of two or more readings at two or more doctor's visits. People with prehypertension may have a greater risk for other cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. These risk factors -- such as high cholesterol, obesity, and diabetes -- are seen more in people with prehypertension than in those with normal blood pressure.

TREATMENT All patients with blood pressure readings greater than 120/80 should be encouraged to make lifestyle modifications such as: Eating a healthier Diet: Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, and low-fat dairy Cut back on dietary salt/sodium Eat foods low in saturated and trans fat and cholesterol. Eat a plant-based or vegetarian

Treatment Quit smoking Get more exercise. Lose weight if you are overweight Drink only in moderation Treatment with medication is recommended to lower blood pressure to less than 140/90. For patients who have diabetes or chronic kidney disease the recommended blood pressure is less than 130/80. Treating high blood pressure involves lifestyle changes and possibly drug therapy.

Possible results of untreated High Blood Pressure Stroke Heart disease/coronary artery disease Heart Attack Congestive Heart Failure Kidney Damage/failure Loss of vision

How much do you know? Questions Answers Another name for high blood pressure is? Blood pressure is written as how many numbers? Prehypertension is not really high blood pressure. T F Salt intake can affect blood pressure? T F A red zone (high) blood pressure reading is____ You are more at risk for HBP if you are overweight? T F High blood pressure can be cured? T F A green zone (normal) blood pressure reading is_____ A yellow zone reading is______________ HYPERTENSION Less than 120 (systolic) and less than 80 (diastolic) TWO 140 or higher (systolic) or 90 or higher (diastolic) 120‐139 (systolic) or 80‐89 (diastolic)