Renee's Blood Pressure

Blood pressure can be a confusing topic to those who do not study the subject. Renee’s blood pressure is 158/97. The top number, 158 is the systolic pressure. Systolic pressure is the highest blood arterial pressure reached during ejection of blood from the heart. The bottom number, 97 is the diastolic pressure (Haiken, M., 2010). Diastolic pressure is the lowest arterial pressure when the ventricles are relaxed. A healthy blood pressure is 120/58 indicating that Renee has elevated blood pressure (How to Understand Blood Pressure Readings, 2016)

Hypertension is defined as having an abnormally high blood pressure over 140/90. There are two primary types of hypertension. Essential hypertension is diagnosed after a doctor notices elevated blood

pressure over a period of time. The cause is unknown, however, researchers agree that obesity, smoking, alcohol, diet and heredity are contributing factors. Essential hypertension has no symptoms; however, frequent headaches, tiredness, dizziness, or nosebleeds can occur (Different Types of Hypertension, 2009, para.2). Renee could possibly have essential hypertension since she did not experience any symptoms.

Renee’s hypertension could also be genetics as she is only 32 years old and age would not be a factor. On the other hand, for secondary hypertension, a cause can be found. Secondary hypertension is an abnormality in the arteries supplying blood to the kidneys. Secondary hypertensions can be caused by airway obstruction during sleep, diseases, and tumors of the adrenal glands, hormone abnormalities, thyroid disease, and high intake of salt or alcohol (Different Types of Hypertension, 2009, para.3). If Renee has secondary hypertension, these could be the causes. Isolated systolic hypertension occurs when the systolic pressure rises over 140. This kind of hypertension is mostly seen in the elderly, caused by the loss of elasticity in the arteries. This hypertension is more critical that diastolic pressure as it links to cardiovascular disease (Different Types of Hypertension, 2009, para.5). Malignant hypertension is very rare, however, is more common in younger adults, African-American men, and women who have pregnancy toxemia. This type of hypertension occurs when there is a sudden rise in blood pressure. Malignant

hypertension is a medical emergency; in which a patient would experience numbness in the arms and legs, blurred vision, confusion, chest pain, and headaches (Different Types of Hypertension, 2009, para.6). Lastly, resistant hypertension is determined when your doctor prescribes different antihypertensive and your blood pressure is still over normal. Resistant hypertension is said to be genetic and is more common in people who are obese, older, female, African-Americans or have diabetes or kidney disease (Different Types of Hypertension, 2009, para.7).
If Renee leaves her hypertension untreated, many complications can arise as hypertension can cause arteries to become narrow, weak or hard.

These results can abrupt the flow of blood to the kidneys. This is problematic due to the fact that nephrons in the kidneys will not be able to receive the necessary amount of oxygen and nutrients (How High Blood Pressure Can Lead to Kidney Damage or Failure. n.d. para. 1). This results in the kidneys failing to filter wastes, blood, and regulate hormones, acid, and salts. Hypertension can cause kidney disease which can lead to kidney failure. Some symptoms of kidney disease are the continuous elevation of blood pressure, decrease or difficulty urinating, edema, and a need to urinate frequently (How High Blood Pressure Can Lead to Kidney Damage or Failure. n.d.). Hypertension can also cause an aneurysm, which is a section of a weak artery that has enlarged and formed a bulge (High blood pressure dangers, n.d.). This can be threatening if an aneurysm ruptures and causes internal bleeding. High blood pressure can affect your whole body as your blood vessels carry all your blood throughout your whole body. Hypertension can cause coronary heart disease, enlarged left heart, heart failure, Transient ischemic attack, stroke, dementia, mild cognitive impairment, eye blood vessel damage, and nerve damage (High blood pressure dangers, n.d.). An enlarged left heart can occur due to the high blood pressure which forces your heart to pump hard at

quick rates (High blood pressure dangers, n.d., para.8). Transient ischemic attack is also referred to as a mini-stroke. TIA is a brief disruption of blood supply to your brain, which is caused by atherosclerosis or a blood clot (High blood pressure dangers, n.d., para.11).
From the following, you can tell that hypertension can be a very serious case. Renee’s doctor might tell her to prevent hypertension, you must consume a healthy diet (reduce salt intake), maintain a healthy weight (Renee can calculate her body mass index), participate in physical activity, do not smoke, and limit alcohol use (Preventing High Blood Pressure Tips. n.d.). The lack of lifestyle listed above could have been the cause of Renee’s elevated blood pressure. The change of hypertension can also be reduced by the intake of nutrients such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, fish oils and garlic (Preventing High Blood Pressure Tips. n.d.). To control hypertension, you can lose weight, exercise regularly, reduce caffeine intake and reduce stress. These are all recommendations that should be presented to Renee. The steps to prevent and control hypertension are very similar. As mentioned, diet is a large role in preventing and controlling hypertension and Renee could do so by following the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) eating plan (DASH diet, n.d.). The DASH diet restricts your sodium and lean meat, poultry and fish consumption, recommends six to eight servings of grains a day, four to five servings of vegetables and fruits a day, two to three servings of dairy a day (DASH diet, n.d.). I strongly believe that lifestyle changes should be a priority before medication is prescribed. By taking the steps to prevent hypertension, you are also creating a better and healthier lifestyle. Lifestyle changes would also benefit your body more than prescribed medication. As mentioned earlier, the majority of causes of hypertension were linked to lifestyle habits. An alter in your lifestyle can alter your chances of hypertension.
As Renee is diagnosed with elevated blood pressure, I believe that she should have routine checkups with her doctor and to get support from those around her. Booking checkup appointments with her doctor can verify her process in decreasing her blood pressure and examine any increase. Renee could also consider purchasing a home blood pressure monitor to check her blood pressure every few days (Haiken, M., 2010). Also, by getting support from friends and family, Renee would be able to continue and demonstrate her new lifestyle habits.