Hypertension

-

Hypertension

The heart pumps blood so that it can reach various parts of the body and supply these parts with oxygen and nutrients. The pressure generated by the heart forces the blood to go from the heart to various organs and return from there to be sent again. There is about 5 liters of blood in average adult and heart pumps about 70 ml in each heart beat. The force generated by heart results in pressure which can be measured.
Hypertension is said to occur when the recorded blood pressure is higher than expected for the particular age. Children have lower BP, it gradually rises to adult levels and continues to increase with age in most cases. BP is measured by sphygmomanometer which was earlier mercury based but are now aneroid or electronic. BP is measured as Systolic ( higher value of the two ) and diastolic (lower reading) and written as systolic/diastolic BP in mm of Hg. e.g. 120/80 mm Hg.
Blood pressure at birth is about 70 to 85 /30 to 45 , at 5 yrs 90-110/50-66 , at 10 yr 100-120/60-80. In adults blood pressure is diagnosed when it is usually more than 140/90 mm Hg.

Causes of high blood pressure.

In most cases, there is no apparent cause. Suspicion usually falls on genetic disease, high salt intake, higher weight etc. in younger patient sometimes a cause is detected. It is often due to kidney disease, hormonal disorders, blood vessel diseases or diseases disturbing immunity. It can at times be caused by drugs like steroids and analgesics.

Symptoms of high Blood pressure

Most patients have no symptoms due to high blood pressure. It is only the measurement of blood pressure which reveals the diagnosis. Some patients with high blood pressure may have headaches, dizziness, throbbing or at times shortness of breath. If blood pressure rises suddenly to very high levels it may cause emergencies. These may include vision loss, renal failure, alteration in consciousness ( drowsiness or unconsciousness), or heart failure (manifested as breathlessness worse on lying down or activity)
Clinically it is diagnosed by BP measurement, usually on more than one occasion while a person is sitting with back supported. 2 or 3 readings may be taken and the lower readings are usually more accurate. If in doubt multiple readings can be taken while the person is continuing his activities (ABPM or ambulatory BP monitoring). Eyes are checked as blood vessels can be seen in the retina, ECG and X Ray Chest may show heart enlargement.

Laboratory tests:-

Lab tests are done to find the cause of high blood pressure if any, its effects on various organ systems and complications. The usual tests done are Blood counts, urine routine examination, Blood Urea, S Creatinine, S electrolytes, Blood Sugar, Lipid profile in blood, ECG, X Ray of chest and Ultrasonography of abdomen. In special cases hormones may be measured or Doppler Ultrasound studies are done to check blood flow and vessels in different areas.

Complications of high blood pressure:-

Complications arise if the blood pressure is very high or it has been present for  a long time. Not all persons with high BP get complications. Some of the complications are :
  • Strokes (paralytic attacks due to bleeding in the brain or reduced blood supply to part of the brain)
  • Increased likelyhood of heart attacks.
  • Heart failure (not stoppage of heart beat or cardiac arrest ) but inability of heart to meet bodily demands. This is diagnosed by swelling of feet, breathlessness at night after sleeping for 2-3 hours, fatigue etc.
  • Chronic renal disease resulting in renal failure if allowed to go unchecked for long periods.
  • Decreased blood supply to other organs due to thickening of blood vessel walls and narrowing of their internal lumen (athersosclerosis of aorta, limb vessels, vessels supplying brain, kidneys, heart, eyes etc.)






2nd Medical Advice / Opinion

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Urinary Tract Infections : Women

-
Image
U TI in short, is a common illness in a woman, especially during the reproductive period. The incidence in western countries is .5/woman /year. It is commoner in women compared to men due to their shorter urethra (Tube from the lower end of the bladder to opening for urine). Bacteria from large intestines contaminate the skin around the anus, migrate to the vaginal opening and may ascend through the urethra to the bladder and sometimes via ureter to the kidneys. Infections of the bladder are called cystitis, infections of urethra urethritis and that of kidneys pyelonephritis. Symptoms of UTI In cases of urethritis, pain while passing urine (dysuria), more frequency, pus discharge from urine opening may occur. In cases of cystitis, dysuria, frequency, urgency (inability to hold urine), lower abdominal pain or discomfort and sometimes blood in urine may occur. In pyelonephritis, the symptoms usually are fever (temp above 38 °  C ), flank pain or discomfort, tenderne
Read more

Fats in the Diet

-
Image
Each gram of fat provides 9 kcal of energy. Fats are essential for the human body as these make up the important part of all tissues and cells. The cell membrane is rich in lipids and brain is full of fat. In combination with proteins and phosphates, fats (lipids) for many important molecules. Linoleic and a-linolenic acids are essential fatty acids. Trans fats are usually of animal origin or provided by hydrogenation of oils. These are harmful for the body. Poly-unsaturated fats and Mono-unsaturated fats are associated with less risk to heart and brain compared to saturated fats. Fats of animal origin are more harmful compared to fats from vegetable sources. In terms of health benefits, olive oil, soya oil, sunflower and safflower oils rank high. In the body, lipids are measured in blood by the test of lipid profile (best done after 8-10 hrs of fasting). It measures S cholesterol (HDL or high density, LDL or low density and VLDL and IDL very low and intermediate respec
Read more

Water Soluble Vitamins

-
Image
Thiamine B eriBeri was known to the Chinese 5000 years back. However the fact that it was due to Vitamin B 1  deficiency was only known in 1926. This vitamin is found in nuts, legumes, yeast and rice (unpolished). It is not found in fruits, milk or vegetables. The meagre quantities found in these can be destroyed by cooking as well. This vitamin is required for the metabolism of carbohydrates and proteins in the body. It forms part of a chemical required for enzymatic activity. The requirement for man and woman is slightly more than 1 mg /day. A pregnant woman may require about one and half times of this. Severe deficiency of this vitamin can cause the following diseases: Infantile beriberi Adult beriberi Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome Leigh disease Infantile beriberi occurs in infants less than 6 months fed exclusively on formula feeds not having thiamine. It is now rare. Adult Beriberi: Dry beriberi usually causes nervous system disorder. Wet beriberi causes swel
Read more