Name : Ni Komang Putri Lestari

Class : 2.4
Id Number : P07120018134
Topic : Talking about Hypertension

Blood pressure is defined as the amount of force or pressure applied to

the walls of the arteries with each heartbeat. A blood pressure reading
is expressed as a fraction-like measurement with one number on top
and another on the bottom. The top (systolic) number represents the
amount of pressure exerted on the arteries when your heart contracts.
This is when the heart is actively pushing blood out to the rest of the
body. The bottom (diastolic) number represents the amount of
pressure when your heart rests between beats and is when the heart
refills with blood. A normal blood pressure is generally at or below
120/80 mmHg for an adult.

Hypertension is a significant increase in blood pressure in a short

time, which usually indicated by diastolic pressure more than or equal
to 140 mmHg. This situation must be handled quickly to avoid serious
risk or death. Patient with hypertension usually do not show any
characteristics or only experience mild symptoms. Hypertension can
be caused by a bad lifestyle and diet. Most hypertension sufferers
from primary hypertension with no known cause. Some factors that
can increase a person’s risk

 What is Hypertension
Hypertension is the persistent increase in blood pressure above
normal values. A consistent systolic blood pressure between
120 and 139 mmHg with a diastolic value between 80 and 89
mmHg is considered "prehypertensive." Persistent systolic
blood pressures of 140 mmHg and above or diastolic pressures
of 90 mmHg and above represent hypertension.
 High blood pressure, or hypertension, occurs when your blood
pressure increases to unhealthy levels. Your blood pressure
measurement takes into account how much blood is passing
through your blood vessels and the amount of resistance the
blood meets while the heart is pumping.
Narrow arteries increase resistance. The narrower your arteries
are, the higher your blood pressure will be. Over the long term,
increased pressure can cause health issues, including heart
disease.
Hypertension is quite common. In fact, since the guidelines
have recently changed, it’s expected that nearly half of
American adults will now be diagnosed with this condition.
Hypertension typically develops over the course of several
years. Usually, you don’t notice any symptoms. But even
without symptoms, high blood pressure can cause damage to
your blood vessels and organs, especially the brain, heart, eyes,
and kidneys.
Early detection is important. Regular blood pressure readings
can help you and your doctor notice any changes. If your blood
pressure is elevated, your doctor may have you check your
blood pressure over a few weeks to see if the number stays
elevated or falls back to normal levels.
Treatment for hypertension includes both prescription
medication and healthy lifestyle changes. If the condition isn’t
treated, it could lead to health issues, including heart attack and
stroke.

 What Cause of Hypertension

 Hypertension is frequently referred to as the “silent killer.” The
reason for this reference is because while hypertension can
sometimes have subtle symptoms, they are few and may be
attributed to other medical conditions. Hypertension over time
causes damage to the arteries and places the patient at risk of
stroke, heart disease, vascular disease, aneurysm, congestive
heart failure, kidney failure, ophthalmic disorders, and other
diseases affecting the body.
Primary, or essential, hypertension is high blood pressure that
does not have any identifiable cause but is thought to be linked
to genetics, obesity, poor diet, and lack of exercise. It can begin
at any age and is typically caught during a regular medical
check-up. Secondary hypertension is caused by another
underlying medical condition such as kidney failure, diabetes,
thyroid dysfunction, and more. Treating the underlying
condition associated with secondary hypertension can often
reduce the risk of serious complications.
Other contributing factors of hypertension are smoking,
excessive alcohol consumption, stress, and age.

 What are the symptoms of Hypertension

Hypertension is generally a silent condition. Many people won’t
experience any symptoms. It may take years or even decades
for the condition to reach levels severe enough that symptoms
become obvious. Even then, these symptoms may be attributed
to other issues.
Symptoms of severe hypertension can include:
a. Headaches
 b. shortness of breath
c. nosebleeds
d. flushing
e. dizziness
f. chest pain
g. visual changes
h. blood in the urine
These symptoms require immediate medical attention. They
don’t occur in everyone with hypertension, but waiting for a
symptom of this condition to appear could be fatal.The best way
to know if you have hypertension is to get regular blood
pressure readings. Most doctors’ offices take a blood pressure
reading at every appointment.
If you only have a yearly physical, talk to your doctor about
your risks for hypertension and other readings you may need to
help you watch your blood pressure.For example, if you have a
family history of heart disease or have risk factors for
developing the condition, your doctor may recommend that you
have your blood pressure checked twice a year. This helps you
and your doctor stay on top of any possible issues before they
become problematic.

 What is complication and condition assosiated with

Hypertension
Hypertension can go undetected for years and as a result
complications and conditions can develop after enough damage
to the body has occurred. Prolonged hypertension can thicken
 and harden the arteries causing a condition known as
atherosclerosis. This disease process is characterized by plaque
buildup along the arterial walls which decreases the flow of
blood and oxygen to the heart and body. Because the heart has
to work harder to maintain the flow of blood and oxygen,
symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling of
the extremities and neck, weakness or numbness may occur.
Common complications and conditions associated with this
disease process are:
a) Stroke
b) Heart attack or heart failure
c) Aneurysms
d) Peripheral artery disease
e) Chronic kidney disease
f) Eye damage
g) Metabolic syndrome
h) Cognitive difficulties

 Diagnosing of Hypertension
Diagnosing hypertension is as simple as taking a blood pressure
reading. Most doctors’ offices check blood pressure as part of a
routine visit. If you don’t receive a blood pressure reading at
your next appointment, request one.
If your blood pressure is elevated, your doctor may request you
have more readings over the course of a few days or weeks. A
hypertension diagnosis is rarely given after just one reading.
Your doctor needs to see evidence of a sustained problem.
That’s because your environment can contribute to increased
 blood pressure, such as the stress you may feel by being at the
doctor’s office. Also, blood pressure levels change throughout
the day.
If your blood pressure remains high, your doctor will likely
conduct more tests to rule out underlying conditions. These
tests can include:
a) urine test
b) cholesterol screening and other blood tests
c) test of your heart’s electrical activity with an
electrocardiogram (EKG, sometimes referred to as an
ECG)
d) ultrasound of your heart or kidneys
These tests can help your doctor identify any secondary issues
causing your elevated blood pressure. They can also look at the
effects high blood pressure may have had on your organs.
During this time, your doctor may begin treating your
hypertension. Early treatment may reduce your risk of lasting
damage.

 Treatment of Hypertension
Hypertension is associated with an increase in cardiovascular
disease. Therefore, it is vital to implement interventions that
reduce overall morbidity and mortality. One such intervention is
through pharmacological treatment by a physician. There are a
number of different medications that a physician can prescribe
to control blood pressure. The treatment goal is to keep the
blood pressure consistently under 140/90 mmHg if at all
possible. The decision of which medication to use will depend
on the cause of a person's hypertension and the response to
therapy. The following are some of the medications commonly
used for treatment.
a) Diuretics – Flushes excess sodium from the body to
reduce the amount of fluid in the blood.
b) Calcium channel blockers – Helps to relax the muscles of
the blood vessels by blocking calcium from entering the
muscle cells.
c) Beta blockers – Reduces the workload of the heart by
causing it to beat slower and with less force.
d) ACE inhibitors – Prevents the production of Angiotensin
II, a hormone responsible for narrowing blood vessels and
increasing blood pressure.
e) Vasodilators – Works to directly prevent the muscles of
the arteries from tightening and narrowing.
f) Alpha-beta blockers – Reduces nerve impulses that
tighten blood vessels and slows down the heart rate.
g) Angiotensin II receptor blockers – Works by blocking
the mechanism of action of angiotensin II whereby
preventing the constriction of blood vessels.