DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY- DASMARIAS

COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND COMPUTER STUDIES

Jonas Z. Balingbing
Dianne Jane E. Bonto
Karla Mae R. Inocencio
Deah Jay Cordenillo

Submitted to:
Dr. Rubie Causaren

What is Hypertension?
High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is elevated pressure of the blood in the
arteries. Hypertension results from two major factors, which can be present
independently or together. The heart pumps blood with excessive force. The body's
smaller blood vessels narrow, so that blood flow exerts more pressure against the vessels'
walls. Blood pressure is the force applied against the walls of the arteries as the heart
pumps blood through the body. The pressure is determined by the force and amount of
blood pumped and the size and flexibility of the arteries. Although the body can tolerate
increased blood pressure for months and even years, eventually the heart may enlarge (a
condition called hypertrophy), which is a major factor in heart failure. Such pressure can
also injure blood vessels in the heart, kidneys, the brain, and the eyes. Two numbers are
used to describe blood pressure: the systolic pressure and the diastolic pressure Health
dangers from blood pressure may vary among different age groups and depending on
whether systolic or diastolic pressure is elevated. A third measurement, pulse pressure,
may also be important as an indicator of severity.

Causes of Hypertension
The cause of hypertension is not yet known unless it is unless is secondary high blood
pressure. However, there are many underlying factors associated with the occurrence.
These factors include: aging, excessive salt intake, sedentary lifestyle as well as genetic
factors. (Cunha et al. 2011.) A study has showed the presence of 8 high blood pressure
mostly amongst adults aged 20-79 (Keaney et al. 2005). Age is unavoidable. Age
increases with time. Schofield et al, (1999) refers to aging as a biological process with a
decline in the performance of most organs. Less activity as a result to ageing also causes
high blood pressure. Impaired ability of the arteries to expand when blood is pumped can
be attributed to hardening of the structural changes in the arteries. Hormonal changes as a
result to ageing can as well cause high blood pressure. Changes as decrease in estrogen
production, underactive thyroid and overactive thyroid can as well influence the rise in
the blood pressure. (Logan 2011.) It is known that high blood pressure usually develops
in elderly women after menopause due to hormonal changes. (Schofield et al. 1999.)
However, the occurrence is not a routine part of aging since there are other factors that
influence the occurrence. (Young 2011; Logan 2011.)
Obesity - is a major public health problem and it is the excessive storage of body fat and
weight. It is one of the causative factors of high blood pressure. Even though genes can
put one at risk of gaining weight, the balance of energy intake and exercise is an
important determinant. Body Mass Index (BMI) is calculated from weight and height. As
suggested by the National Institute of Health (NIH) and WHO, the normal weight for an
adult over 18 years is less than or equal to 18.5-24.9. BMI that is greater than this puts
one at risk of obesity related diseases as high blood pressure. (NIH 1996.) Blood pressure

is affected by various activities of the body throughout the day. The heart reacts
differently to basic activities of the day such as eating and drinking. High consumption of
alcohol has been related to the rise of blood pressure over the years. (Mittal & Singh
2010.) This is due to the fact that, the kidney and liver works extra 10 hard in getting rid
of waste from the bloodstream therefore, more pressure is exerted on the arteries.
Excessive alcohol intake can also increase the chance of other medical issues as obesity
that may lead to an increase in blood pressure. (Sheldon 2011; Bakx et al. 1999.)
Sedentary lifestyle - is a medical term used to describe lifestyle with little or no physical
activity. Sedentary lifestyle is dangerous to health as smoking. This is due to the fact that
it contributes to most death as a result from heart diseases. The high growing rate of
sedentary lifestyle could be attributed to economic growth, modernization, urbanization
as well as globalization of food. (Puska et al. 2003.) Advance in technology today has
also reduced level of morbidity at work. Most jobs demand sitting behind the desks for
long hours during the day. This is followed by long hours enjoying television or video
games at leisure time. As a result to this, most diseases as high blood pressure are directly
related to the lack of exercise. (STM 2010; Puska et al. 2003.)
Medications to treat Hypertension

Thiazide diuretics. Diuretics, sometimes called water pills, are medications that act on
your kidneys to help your body eliminate sodium and water, reducing blood
volume.Thiazide diuretics are often the first, but not the only, choice in high blood
pressure medications. Thiazide diuretics include hydrochlorothiazide, chlorthalidone and
others.

If you're not taking a diuretic and your blood pressure remains high, talk to your doctor
about adding one or replacing a drug you currently take with a diuretic. Diuretics or
calcium channel blockers may work better for blacks and older people than do
angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors alone. A common side effect of diuretics
is increased urination.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. These medications such as

lisinopril (Zestril), benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten) and others help relax
blood vessels by blocking the formation of a natural chemical that narrows blood vessels.
People with chronic kidney disease may benefit from having an ACE inhibitor as one of
their medications.

Calcium channel blockers. These medications including amlodipine (Norvasc),

diltiazem (Cardizem, Tiazac, others) and others help relax the muscles of your blood
vessels. Some slow your heart rate. Calcium channel blockers may work better for older
people and blacks than do ACE inhibitors alone.

Grapefruit juice interacts with some calcium channel blockers, increasing blood levels of
the medication and putting you at higher risk of side effects. Talk to your doctor or
pharmacist if you're concerned about interactions.

Alpha blockers. These medications reduce nerve impulses to blood vessels, reducing the
effects of natural chemicals that narrow blood vessels. Alpha blockers include doxazosin
(Cardura), prazosin (Minipress) and others.

To reduce the number of daily medication doses you need, your doctor may prescribe a
combination of low-dose medications rather than larger doses of one single drug. In fact,
two or more blood pressure drugs often are more effective than one. Sometimes finding
the most effective medication or combination of drugs is a matter of trial and error.

If your blood pressure remains stubbornly high despite taking at least three different types
of high blood pressure drugs, one of which usually should be a diuretic, you may have
resistant hypertension. People who have controlled high blood pressure but are taking
four different types of medications at the same time to achieve that control also are
considered to have resistant hypertension. The possibility of a secondary cause of the
high blood pressure generally should be reconsidered.

Your doctor may recommend several lifestyle changes, including:

Eating a healthier diet with less salt
Exercising regularly
Quitting smoking
Limiting the amount of alcohol you drink
Maintaining a healthy weight or losing weight if you're overweight or obese
Resistant hypertension: When your blood pressure is difficult to control

REFERENCES

(1) Addo J, Amoah A. G., Koram K. A. 2006. The changing patterns of hypertension in
Ghana: a study of four rural communities in the Ga district. Available:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed. Accessed on 10 December 2010.
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(3) Aubert L. , Pascal B., Gervasoni J., Rwebogora A., Waeber B., Paccaud F. 1997.
Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices on Hypertension in a Country in Epidemiological
Transition. Available: http://hyper.ahajournals.org/cgi/reprint/31/5/1136. Accessed on 10
January 2011.
(4) Oliviera A. S., Chen R. S., McCarthy B. D., Davis C.C., Hill M.N. 2005. Hypertension
Knowledge, Awareness, and Attitudes in a Hypertensive Population. Available:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles.
(5) ProCor. 2009. Charting the history of hypertension in Ghana. Pobee J.O.M. An interview
by Dr. Collins Kokuro. Available: http://www.procor.org/advocacy/advocacy_show.
(6) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypertension