February 2008 Health Focus
American Heart Awareness Month
HIGH Blood Pressure
aka 'Silent Killer'

One of the most common types of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is Hypertension or High Blood Pressure. You may recognize your blood pressure is measured by 2 numbers called the systolic pressure and the diastolic pressure, 120/80mmHg.

The systolic pressure or top number is when blood comes out of the heart in 1 big thrust and the artery expands or stretches to handle the blood. The amount of pressure put on the expanded artery wall or the inside of the artery is called the systolic pressure. An example of this is a water hose. When you turn on the water really fast, the hose fills quickly and expands or stretches due to the large amount of water forced through the hose. This force will cause the hose to be stiff. The diastolic pressure or bottom number is after the artery expands or stretches, it relaxes back to its normal size. So when you turn the water off, the water hose will also relax and return to its normal size.

If a lot of resistance or pressure builds up from either the blood or inside the artery, then there is more force as the blood travels through the artery. If it takes more energy to get the blood through the arteries, then your heart has to work harder with each beat. Most people with high blood pressure do not realize they have it, so it is often known as the 'silent killer'.

Several factors may contribute to high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. These include:

  1. excess salt
  2. excess alcohol
  3. stress
  4. age
  5. genetics and family history
  6. obesity
  7. physical inactivity
  8. high saturated fat diet
Major organs can be damaged as a result of uncontrolled high blood pressure and lead to cardiovascular events. These include:
  1. KIDNEY failure results in end stage renal disease and/or dialysis.
  2. Lack of oxygen to the BRAIN due to a blood clot or hemorrhage can cause a stroke.
  3. Arteries in your EYES can burst and can cause blindness.
  4. HEART attack, heart disease, coronary artery disease or death can occur when the heart has to work harder to pump blood through the narrow arteries.