Do you know that consistently elevated BP readings (above 140/90 mmHg) put undue strain on the heart and blood vessels? Worst, this can lead to a cascade of health problems, making it crucial to identify and manage the condition effectively.
Uncontrolled high blood pressure (BP) or hypertension is a ticking time bomb and a silent killer, damaging vital organs --the brain and heart that may lead to stroke or heart attack; and take its toll on the kidneys too, said Dr. Louell9a Santos during the January 25 Philippine Heart Association (PHA) Usapang Puso sa Puso (UPP) webinar.
“The entire human body is also called the circulatory system that moves blood throughout the body. This blood circulation keeps organs, muscles and tissues healthy and working,” Santos, the host of UPP and PHA advocacy chair, explained.
Dr. Deborah Ona, associate professor from the UP-PGH and immediate past
president of the Philippine Society of Hypertension, said that “even if one measurement of your BP is high, whether systolic (the upper number) or diastolic (lower number), if it occurs on two separate occasions, then it is still considered hypertension.”
That’s why the PHA has been advocating “constant BP monitoring, check-ups with your doctor, and compliance to avoid its concomitant organ damage that are fatal, or, can severely reduce quality of life,” according to Santos.
Culprits and symptoms
The festive season of December is over, but its effects linger -- not just on our waistlines -- but also on our brains, hearts and kidneys. By January 2024, cardiologists and neurologists have reported to see quite a number of their old patients with high blood pressure after bingeing during the Christmas Season.
Drs. Lianne Ramos and Yssa Poblete, both PHA Cardiology Fellows in Training at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center, affirmed that the youngest hypertensive patient that they attended to at the ER was an 18-year-old male.
Anyone can have elevated BP. For the younger ones, it can be genetic; for the old ones, it is because of age. “But it is especially prevalent in smokers, those who don’t exercise, have a high sodium and fatty diet, drink alcohol a lot, and are chronically stressed, leading to decreased oxygen to organs such as the heart, brain, kidney, and lead to heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, dementia even or damaged retinas.” Ramos stressed.
A hypertensive person can be asymptomatic or symptomatic. The case varies.
“Watch out for the symptoms like dizziness, one side of the body becoming weak, headache; these are some indications of a stroke, while there may not be any symptoms at all, which is why BP monitoring must be done consistently and salty foods, alcohol, must be consumed in moderation” Poblete added.
The heart and hypertension specialists offered brain and heart health tips:
“We recommend three BP measurements, twice a day; first, as soon as you wake up, then before eating dinner. When taking BP, you need to make sure you are relaxed, in a calm area, sitting with your feet placed firmly on the ground, back supported, and arms at the level of your heart to make sure gravity doesn’t affect tthe reading. After taking the first measurement, wait one minute then take two more, each a minute apart as well. The first will be ignored, then you get the average of the remaining two,” according to Dr. Raymond Oliva, clinical associate professor from the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) and certified hypertension specialist from the American Hypertension Society.
Santos said that taking this precise measurement for seven days and documenting it, would be greatly beneficial to your physician in tracking BP levels. While these can be used, a proper BP machine must be used to check as well.
Meanwhile, Ona warned people who have the habit of self-medicating, and shifting to the brand of maintenance pill that works on a friend or neighbor. Only your doctor can tell you when to adjust your dosage.
To kick off a simple lifestyle change for the new year, PHA recommends the 52100 Healthy Lifestyle Code; 5 servings of fruits and vegetables; a maximum of 2 grams of sodium; at least 1 hour of exercise; and 0 smoking and 0 sugary drinks every day. It is a simple guide to follow, in congruence with regular check-ups with your doctor.
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