MICHAEL FOWLER: Bringing down the hype(rtension)

Hypertension is defined at blood pressure higher than 140 over 90. A diagnosis of hypertension may be made when one or both readings are high-systolic (the pressure as the heart pumps blood around the body) or diastolic (pressure as the heart relaxes and refills with blood).

Nearly 1 of 3 American Adults has prehypertension, with about 70 million Americans actually having hypertension. High blood pressure costs the nation $46 billion each year, including the cost of health care services, medication and missed days of work.

Blacks develop high blood pressure more often and at an earlier age than whites and Hispanics do. Black women are more prevalent than black men.

There are several risk factors that come into play for hypertension, including age, race, size, sex and lifestyle. Other risk factors include a family history of the disease and chronic poorly managed stress. Hypertension that is not caused by another condition or disease is called primary or essential hypertension.

Secondary hypertension usually has specific causes, meaning that it is secondary to another cause. Secondary Hypertension can result from diabetes, kidney disease, pregnancy, sleep apnea and obesity, just to name a few.

High blood pressure itself is usually asymptomatic, meaning that you don’t experience any direct effect of the condition. That is why it is referred to as the “silent killer,” as it can silently cause damage to the cardiovascular system.

Although you cannot control all of your risk factors for high blood pressure, you can take steps to prevent or control high blood pressure and its complications. Lifestyles alterations are vital for staying healthy after a hypertension diagnosis.

Developing healthy eating habits is crucial. Start by monitoring your salt intake. This should be lowered to somewhere around 5 grams a day. Experts also advise patients to decrease alcohol consumption. Excessive drinking can be associated both with raised blood pressure and with an increased risk of stroke.

High blood pressure patients are advised to minimize intake of saturated fat and total fat. They are also advised to eat at least 300 grams of fruit and vegetables a day, beans, pulses and nuts twice a week. However, I would strongly recommend speaking your doctor or a dietician regarding your diet.

Also, get fit! Regular physical exercise is great to improve your health. Reduce your body weight and maintain it. Again, check with your doctor before beginning any diet or exercise plan.

And stop stressing — avoid stress whenever possible. Managing unavoidable stress can help with blood pressure control.

Also, quit smoking! I cannot stress that enough. Smoking can raise blood pressure and because of its wider effects on heart health and the rest of the body. Giving up smoking is highly recommended.

Michael Fowler is the Dougherty County coroner. He can be contacted at (229) 438-3974 or email [email protected].