1. A Tu Salud ¡Sí Cuenta! Educational Module
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
A Tu Salud ¡Sí Cuenta! Educational Module

2. HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
Having high blood pressure means that the force of blood pushing outwards on your arteries is higher than it should be.
Blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of the arteries. Blood pressure rises and falls throughout the day. When blood pressure stays elevated over time, it is called high blood pressure. The medical term for high blood pressure is hypertension.

3. A recommended normal or optimal blood pressure is 120/80.
SYSTOLIC DIASTOLIC
120 80
A recommended normal or optimal blood pressure is 120/80.

4. SYSTOLIC PRESSURE SYSTOLIC DIASTOLIC 120 80
120 80
The first (top) number is your systolic pressure. Systolic blood pressure is the pressure in the arteries when the heart is beating.
What is systolic blood pressure?
The systolic pressure is the highest number in the blood pressure reading . As in the case of a normal blood pressure , 120/80 , 120 is the systolic pressure. The systolic pressure is the pressure in arteries when the heart beats.

5. DIASTOLIC PRESSURE SYSTOLIC DIASTOLIC 120 80
120 80
The second (bottom) number is your diastolic pressure. Diastolic blood pressure is the pressure in the arteries when the heart muscle is resting.
What is diastolic blood pressure? Diastolic pressure is the force of blood in the arteries when the heart relaxes between beats. The diastolic blood pressure is shown as the bottom number in a blood pressure reading . Diastolic blood pressure is a significant number for the diagnosis of hypertension. The higher the diastolic blood pressure, the greater the risk of heart attacks , strokes and kidney failure. An increase in systolic blood pressure also increase the likelihood of heart attacks, strokes and kidney failure. Your doctor will use both systolic and diastolic blood pressure to determine the category of your blood pressure.

6. BLOOD PRESSURE LEVELS
A systolic pressure greater than 180 or a diastolic pressure greater than 110 is considered a hypertensive crisis and requires emergency medical treatment.
Systolic less than 120 AND
Diastolic less than 80
Systolic between OR
Diastolic between 80-89
Systolic 140 or above OR
Diastolic 90 or above
If your blood pressure is slightly higher than 120/80, a change of lifestyle is recommended because it is considered at risk. If systolic pressure is above 140 and diastolic above 90, it’s considered high blood pressure and you should talk to your doctor.

7. PRE-HYPERTENSION
If your blood pressure regularly measures between systolic and diastolic, you are at high risk of high blood pressure.
People with pre-hypertension are considered at greater risk of developing high blood pressure in the future. It is important to check your blood pressure regularly. There are changes you can make to your lifestyle to lower your blood pressure and thus prevent disease. WE HAVE THE POWER TO PREVENT DISEASES. We can make adjustments to keep our blood pressure under control.

8. MYTHS
The following statements are commonly believed to be true, but are actually false.

9. “A headache indicates that my blood pressure is high."
MYTH #1
“A headache indicates that my blood pressure is high."

10. MYTH #1: FALSE
Headaches, or lack of headaches, are not relieable or true symptoms for high blood pressure.
The best indicator of high blood pressure is when the systolic number is above 140 or the diasotlic number is above 90.
Have your blood pressure checked and know your numbers!
High blood pressure may not present with any symptoms. Nerves, sweating, difficulty sleeping, and redness of the face are not true symptoms of high blood pressure.

11. “Dizziness is a symptom of high blood pressure.”
MYTH #2
“Dizziness is a symptom of high blood pressure.”

12. MYTH #2: FALSE
High blood pressure does not cause dizziness, but it can be a side effect of some medications for high blood pressure.
Dizziness is a side effect of some medications for high blood pressure. Sudden dizziness can be a warning sign for stroke and should not be overlooked .

13. “If I have a nosebleed, my blood pressure must be high.”
MYTH #3
“If I have a nosebleed, my blood pressure must be high.”

14. MYTH #3: FALSE Nosebleeds are caused by a number of reasons.
Dry Air
Allergies
Colds
There is no evidence linking nosebleeds with high blood pressure.
There are many explanations for nosebleeds: dry climates/air, warm weather, allergies, colds, sinusitis, etc.
Hypertension is asymptomatic, except in extreme cases known as crisis hypersensitivity. In this situation, your body is at risk of heart attack, stroke, and other serious medical problems.

15. or other health care professionals if you have questions.
ALWAYS SEEK HELP!
Ask your doctor
or other health care professionals if you have questions.
It is important to recognize these and other such myths regarding blood pressure.

16. MAJOR RISK FACTOR
High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, congestive failure and kidney disease.

17. THE “SILENT KILLER”
People often refer to high blood pressure as the “Silent Killer”. There are many individuals who have high blood pressure and do not know it because it may not present with any symptoms.
Hypertension is easy to diagnose and can be controlled.

18. PREVALENCE
Percentage of adults 20 years or older diagnosed with high blood pressure,
In 2011, Texas had % of adults aged 20 and older with high blood pressure.

19. Women are more likely than men to have high blood pressure.
STATISTICS
Women are more likely than men to have high blood pressure.

20. STATISTICS
21% of men under 45 are affected by high blood pressure. ~ 70% of women over 65 are affected by high blood pressure.

21. At least 25% of Mexican- Americans suffer from high blood pressure.
STATISTICS
At least 25% of Mexican- Americans suffer from high blood pressure.

22. CONSEQUENCES High blood pressure can affect your: Brain Heart Eyes
Arteries
Kidneys

23. STROKE Hypertension is the most important risk factor for strokes.
A very high pressure can cause a break in a weakened blood vessel, and bleeding within the brain, causing a stroke.
If a blood clot blocks one of the narrowed arteries, it can also cause a stroke.

24. HEART ATTACK Hypertension is a major risk factor for heart attacks.
Arteries carry oxygen-carrying blood to the heart muscle.
If the heart cannot get enough oxygen, chest pain, also known as " angina," can occur.
If the blood flow is blocked, a heart attack occurs.

25. CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE
Hypertension is a major risk factor for congestive heart failure (CHF).
CHF is a serious condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs.

26. IMPAIRED VISION
Arterial hypertension can eventually cause blood vessels in the eye to burst or bleed.
The vision may be blurred or altered and can result in blindness.

27. ARTERIES
As you age, the arteries throughout the body "harden" especially the heart, brain, and kidneys.
Hypertension is associated with "stiffer" arteries. This, in turn, causes the heart and kidneys to work harder.

28. KIDNEY DAMAGE The kidneys are filters that rid the body of waste.
Over time, arterial hypertension can narrow and thicken the blood vessels of the kidneys.
The kidneys filter less fluid and waste may accumulate in the blood.
The kidneys may fail altogether. When this happens, medical treatment (dialysis) or a kidney transplant would be needed.

29. BEHAVIOR & RISK FACTORS
Diet
Food and drink
Weight
Physical Inactivity
Alcohol Consumption
Tobacco Use
Other risk factors may include:
Genetics
Age
Diabetes
High Cholesterol
You should try to eat five fruits and vegetables each day, and exercise at least 30 minutes each day. If you do, you can help lose and/or control your weight while helping to control or reduce your blood pressure. It is important to remember that these behaviors can affect your blood pressure and the risk associated with complications such as heart attack, stroke, kidney diseasE, heart disease, etc.

30. CONTROLLING YOUR BP
Keeping a healthy lifestyle can help reduce and control blood pressure. Here are ten ways to achieve a healthier lifestyle.

31. Adopt a new and different meal plan.1
CONTROLLING YOUR BP
Adopt a new and different meal plan.
Eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables per day.

32. Enjoy at least 30 minutes of physical activity per day.2
CONTROLLING YOUR BP
Enjoy at least 30 minutes of physical activity per day.

33. Maintain a healthy weight.3
CONTROLLING YOUR BP
Maintain a healthy weight.

34. Reduce your salt intake.4
CONTROLLING YOUR BP
Reduce your salt intake.

35. 5
CONTROLLING YOUR BP
Manage your stress.

36. 6
CONTROLLING YOUR BP
Avoid using tobacco.

37. Take medications as prescribed by your doctor.7
CONTROLLING YOUR BP
Take medications as prescribed by your doctor.

38. Limit alcohol consumption.8
CONTROLLING YOUR BP
Limit alcohol consumption.

39. Find your support system.9
CONTROLLING YOUR BP
Find your support system.
Explain your concerns about your blood pressure and ask family and friends for their support in your effort to make lifestyle changes that will help lower or control your blood pressure. Invite friends and family to exercise with you. Work together to make healthier food choices.

40. Overcome barriers, such as lack of energy.10
CONTROLLING YOUR BP
Overcome barriers, such as lack of energy.
Plan to do some physical activity during the hours of the day or week when you feel energetic (after breakfast, before going to work, you can walk for 10 minutes). Convince yourself that if given a chance, physical activity increases your energy level. You can also plan a schedule for the week.

41. TAKE CONTROL! Scenario:
Every time you cook or sit down to eat, first thing you do is add salt to your food. What should you do?
Take control! If you have high blood pressure, reduce the amont of salt you consume. By controlling your salt intake you can help to reduce and maintain your blood pressure. Instead of using salt, try finding a substitute like lemon or other spices.

42. REFERENCES Center for Disease Control American Heart Association
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, National Institutes of Health
The Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure