SILENT KILLER
WRITTEN BY: DeVita Willie
High blood pressure is characterized by chronic pressure readings of 140/90 and above. The top number is your systolic pressure. It measures the amount of pressure created against vessel walls as your heart beats. The bottom number is your diastolic pressure. This measures the pressure inside your vessels when the heart is at rest. The average blood pressure health professionals like to see is 120/70 and anything in between 121/80 and 139/89 will be considered as pre-hypertensive. Pre-hypertension increases the risk of an individual fully developing high blood pressure.
Having one or two elevated readings does not necessarily mean that you have developed hypertension. Stress, certain activities, and even pregnancy can cause a fluctuation in your blood pressure. It is very important that you seek a qualified health professional and you do not self-diagnose.
Lifestyle factors attribute to both the development and prevention of hypertension. Being a tried and true southern girl, I personally know the cons of the typical African-American diet. We generally lean towards meals that are high in sodium and fat. Let’s face it, we eat for taste. There is a “drive thru” mindset now because we want meals quick, and we usually end up eating something processed. Processed foods tend to have higher fat and more sodium than needed for an average daily intake.
Through simple lifestyle changes you can lower blood pressure or prevent the onset. Healthier lifestyle choices include:
- Controlling stress
- Maintaining weight
- Regular exercise
- Eliminating tobacco products
- Limiting alcohol consumption
- Increasing fruits and vegetables
- Lower sodium intake
Research and studies are being conducted nationwide to find the link between the African American community and the epic number of hypertension diagnoses that consumes it. Several hypothesize that disadvantages and circumstances such as income, lower levels of education, environment, and minimal healthcare access and genetics increase the susceptibility to the disease in this community. Some key risk factors include:
- Male
- Family history
- Alcohol abuse
- African American
- Over age 55
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Kidney disease
- Stress
Hypertension is a very serious disease and is a “silent killer”. A person can have high blood pressure for years and never experience any symptoms. Some symptoms include:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Swelling of the hands and legs
- Decreased urine output
- Double vision
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Fluttering heart
- Increased heart rate
The first line of defense should be a realistic lifestyle overhaul that you can maintain. When that is not enough, medication is available to help control your blood pressure. Most doctors will initially prescribe a diuretic. This will allow you to eliminate excess fluid from your body. Many times that will be used in conjunction with some sort of beta-blocker, which will help slow your heart rate, or an angiotensin converting enzyme better known as an ACE inhibitor. The ACE inhibitor will cause vasodilation, which is the widening of the blood vessels, allowing for better blood flow. Some alternative methods used to help control hypertension include yoga, acupuncture, aromatherapy, meditation, relaxation therapy, and massage.
