This was the theme for this year’s World Hypertension Day, which was marked on the 17th of May 2013 all over the world. It came as a necessity considering the rate at which hypertension is ravaging the black African nations, especially the rural and sub-urban areas.
To make effective justice to this theme “Healthy heartbeat; Healthy blood pressure”, it will be pertinent for us to understand the terms heartbeat and blood pressure to know when it is said to be healthy and when it could be said to be in a diseased condition; this will help us to have a better understanding of what hypertension is all about.
HEARTBEAT: It is a pulsation, as a result of the heart. It could also be described as the pulsation of the blood in the artery and blood vessels.
The number of heartbeat per minute is called the heart rate. The normal resting heart rate is 60 to 100 beats per minute, and should be monitored for rate, strength and rhythm. Heartbeat could also be called pulse. The normal heartbeat for an adult at rest is 60 to 80 beats per minute, the normal heartbeat for children is 80 to 100 beats per minute while for babies it is 100 to 140 beats per minute. In diseased condition such as in fever, the heartbeat usually increases about 20 beats per minute for each rise in degree centigrade (°C).
BLOOD PRESSURE: It is the force or pressure of the blood upon the walls of the blood vessels (arteries and veins); it varies with age and health of the person.
In taking blood pressure we have the systolic (top number) and diastolic (bottom number). The normal blood pressure is usually around 120/80, but anything from 100/60 to 140/90 can be considered normal.
If a person regularly has low blood pressure, there is no need to worry. In fact, blood pressure on the low side of normal 90/60 to 110/70 means a person is likely to live long and is less likely to suffer heart trouble or stroke.
A sudden drop in blood pressure (Hypotension) indicates danger, especially if it falls below 60/40. Health workers should watch for any sudden drop in the blood pressure of persons who are losing blood or at risk of shock.
Healthy Heartbeat; Healthy Blood Pressure indicates a healthy condition of life, but what if we have an unhealthy heartbeat and an unhealthy blood pressure: what happens?
What factors predispose us to unhealthy heartbeat and unhealthy blood pressure?
What should we do to prevent or control an unhealthy heartbeat and unhealthy blood pressure?
“Healthy Heartbeat; Healthy Blood Pressure” simply means a heart which its performance is within the normal range for heartbeat and blood pressure whilst unhealthy heartbeat and unhealthy blood pressure simply means a heart which is not within normal performance level, which could be as a result of conditions known as hypotension or hypertension.
Hypotension is a condition of an abnormally low blood pressure; this which could be as a result of the side effect of the drugs a patient is taking, e.g. Inderal, Lisinopril and other anti-hypertensive drugs. It could also be induced by a doctor in the case where blood pressure is lowered so that an operation field is rendered practically bloodless. It could also be postural hypotension, seen when the patient stands up, producing giddiness and sometimes a faint.
Hypertension means persistent high blood pressure. In adults, it is generally agreed that blood pressure is abnormally high when the resting supine arterial systolic pressure is equal to or greater than 140mmHg and the diastolic pressure is equal to or greater than 90mmHg. A diagnosis of hypertension should be based on a series of readings rather than a single measurement and which will vary with age.
Hypertension is very common and usually symptomless but may cause headaches and visual disturbances when severe. Its incidence is highest in men, the middle-aged and the elderly. It is commonest among Africans. It is more prevalent in the young adults than the elderly.
Factors that predisposes us to hypertension are:
1)
Smoking
2)
High salt diet
3)
Obesity (overweight)
4)
A family history (heredity)
5)
Lack of exercise
6)
High degree of stress
7)
Drinking too much alcohol
8)
Fatty foods, especially pig fat and high cholesterol containing oils
9)
Foods having high sugar or high starch contents
10)
Excess thinking
What to do to prevent or control hypertension are:
1)
Lifestyle modification such as
a)
Losing weight
b)
Stop smoking
c)
Adopting a low salt diet
d)
Avoid alcohol
e)
Learn to relax
2)
Use anti-hypertensive drugs to maintain blood pressure readings within reasonable levels.
Signs and Symptoms of High Blood Pressure are:
1)
Frequent headaches
2)
Pounding of the heart and shortness of breath with mild exercise
3)
Weakness and dizziness
4)
Occasional pain in the left shoulder and chest
All these signs and symptoms above may also be caused by many other diseases, thus there is need for you to see a well-trained and qualified healthcare provider to be sure of the exact cause of your illness.
REFERENCES:
1)
Harsh Mohan (2005). Textbook of Pathology. New Delhi: Jay Pee Brothers
2)
David Werner et al (1992). Where there is no Doctor. London: Macmillan
3)
Chris Brooker (2003). Churchill Livingstone Pocket Medical Dictionary (15th Edition). London: Churchill Livingstone Ltd.
Ohanube A.K. Goodluck is the Country Director of DR SAVE LIVES FOUNDATION (www.savelivesfoundation.com) and also a Medical Research Scientist at HANS Healthcare, Mgbidi Imo State.
