Heart Disease - Prevention is better than cure

Dateline: 04/05/98

HYPERTENSION

How can you reduce your risk of heart disease ? If you missed the other parts of this series, check them out now.

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

The magnitude of the problem of high blood pressure is extremely difficult to measure reliably.

Among US adults older than 45 years, 60% of white women and 79% of African-American women were classified as having hypertension. In the most recent National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III, 1988-1991), approximately one half of identified hypertensive subjects were receiving treatment with antihypertensive medication, but only about 21% had hypertension that was well controlled (BP <140/90).

The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends that every adult have an estimation of blood pressure once in at least every two and a half years.

You can avoid developing high blood pressure - also called hypertension - by several simple lifestyle modifications. Weight control, regular physical activity, moderation in alcohol intake and avoiding high dietary salt intake will go a long way in preventing hypertension.

What is normal BP ?

While normal blood pressure has a wide range of values, the goal should be a reading lesser than 140/90 mm. of mercury (mm.Hg). Of course, this would vary with age, and the presence of other co-existing medical conditions, and is not an absolutely rigid value. A higher reading indicates the need for life pattern modification, a conscious effort at making the changes mentioned above.

If blood pressure remains higher than 140/90 mm.Hg. despite life habit modification for 3 months, or if the initial reading is over 160/100 mm.Hg. medication is required to bring down the BP. A variety of drugs are used in treating hypertension, and therapy needs to be individualized for every patient, depending on many other requirements and characteristics.

Next : High Serum Cholesterol and Heart Disease