by W. Diane Van Zwol

Created on: June 06, 2008   Last Updated: June 09, 2008

Monitor Your BP: A Strategic Plan For Longevity

The word hypertension was used in 1893, to designate high blood pressure, particularly high arterial blood pressure and the systemic condition resulting from hypertension. (1)

Hyper means above, beyond, or in excess, while tension refers to the tonus in the blood vessels. Hypertension suggests that the tension in the blood vessels is higher than it should be.

A person's normal blood pressure is 120/80, so when a person's blood pressure is 140/90 or higher, it is considered to be in excess. Proper medical treatment is advised.

Why is awareness so important?

Hypertension is known as a silent killer. In America, one in three people has hypertension and one those three, does not know that he or she has hypertension, because there are no symptoms.

So a strategic plan for longevity must include careful blood pressure monitoring and appropriate medical treatment by a physician, exercise and a proper diet.

*Pulmonary hypertension depicts high blood pressure that results from the narrowing of small arteries in the lungs. The incidence is higher in women.

When blood cannot flow through the arteries properly, one's blood pressure increases. The heart enlarges and heart failure may occur. This may results from genetic defects, some diets, medications, lung or heart valve disease, or a blood clot.

The symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain, weakness, fatigue, fainting, light-headedness upon exercising, dizziness, or swelling of the legs. (1)

A physician may discover enlarged neck veins, or a heart murmur. A pulse may be felt over the breastbone and there may be swelling of the liver or spleen.

*About hypertension

Hypertension can be treated successfully, with medications including diuretics, prescribed and monitored by a physician. It is advisable to seek medical assistance immediately, when there is increased shortness of breath, or chest pain. Oxygen therapy may be indicated and a heart-lung transplant might be recommended, if medical treatment is not effective.

Blood tests will include creatinine, electrolytes, glucose and cholesterol. Urine may be tested for proteinuria, if kidney disease is suspected. An EKG or a chest x-ray may be done to rule out cardiac enlargement.

Good dietary management includes foods high in potassium, like bananas, orange juice, white beans, tomatoes, broccoli, soybeans and apricots.

*Primary pulmonary hypertension is an elevated blood pressure, where the cause is not known, as opposed to secondary pulmonary hypertension, which results from medication, or an underlying condition.

*Folic acid 2b hypertension refers to hypertension in pregnancy, where there is excess salt retained. Folic acid and vitamin B2 are always recommended.

Folic acid helps to prevent heart disease and stroke. It is found in whole grain cereals, wheat germ, leafy green vegetables, dried peas and beans.

Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) gives the bright yellow color to urine. It is important for the prevention of heart disease and found in asparagus, cottage cheese, milk, yogurt, eggs and fish.

(1)Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc. Springfield MA 1983
(2) http://www.righthealth.com/Health/Pulmonary%20Hypert ension-s?lid=yhoo-ads-sb-7460722696

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