Module 2: Hypertension

POST-MODULE QUIZ LINK: https://forms.gle/vxJS9nf6o5RrtuxT7

This is a mandatory quiz to be completed upon reviewing this week’s materials.

It is only graded for completion, so take the quiz for your learning!

What is high blood pressure (hypertension)?

• Hypertension is a condition of high force within blood vessels.

Why do we care about hypertension?

• High blood pressure puts patients at risk for heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease

• It is normally asymptomatic.

Please watch this two minute video on the basics of hypertension.

How can patients lower blood pressure?

• Eat a diet low in fat and rich in fruits, veggies, low-fat dairy (DASH diet). The DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) is an evidence-based diet to reduce blood pressure.

• Reduce salt intake. The best way to do this is to cook from home and control the amount of salt you add to your food. Use other spices to add flavor to your meals. Much of the salt in our diet comes from pre-cooked or heavily processed foods, so it is best to avoid frozen meals and fried foods. The standard DASH diet limits salt to 2,300 mg per day (about 1 tablespoon of table salt), though there are lower sodium versions of the diet. 

• Exercise! At least 30 minutes per day of moderate exercise 5x/week.

• Maintain a healthy weight.

• Cut down on alcohol.

• Quit (or cut down on) smoking. Clients can speak to their primary care providers about nicotine replacement therapy (gum, patches) to reduce cravings.

• Take prescribed medications to control blood pressure. Common medications are diuretics (“water pills”, e.g., hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide - commonly known as Lasix), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (e.g., lisinopril), and calcium channel blockers (e.g., amlodipine). Clients may be on one or multiple anti-hypertensive agents.

Let’s Review!

What are the blood pressure categories?

Note: When a patient’s blood pressure is higher than systolic > 180 or diastolic > 120, they are at much higher risk of acute injury to organs such as the brain, heart, kidney, and eye. Elevated blood pressure with organ damage is known as “hypertensive emergency”. It is recommended that patients are evaluated by a doctor as soon as possible, especially if their baseline pressure is lower. If a patient on the Van has a reading in this range, be sure to ask for their baseline blood pressure, how they are feeling, and tell one of the Family Van staff immediately! Symptoms of hypertensive emergency may include headache, dizziness, changes in vision, shortness of breath, chest pain, vomiting, and decreases in urine output. 

MORE INFORMATION:

●     To read common patient questions about blood pressure and how to answer them in terms they can understand: Click here!

●     To read common patient questions about a low sodium diet and how to answer them in terms they can understand: Click here!

●     American Heart Association: Click here!