VOLUME 10 • ISSUE 12 • DECEMBER 2016
Refreshing Your Health
Hypertension season? THERE’S NO NEED TO BE TENSE ABOUT HYPERTENSION THESE DAYS, HYPERTENSION SEASON?
AS LONG AS YOU KNOW THE BASICS
• The BP reading • Complications of hypertension • Hypertension symptoms and diagnosis • Reducing your BP
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It’s December again – our favorite time of the year for joy, generosity, gettogethers … and the inevitable stress, overeating and the occasional joke about developing diabetes and hypertension overnight. Unhealthy days are here, and you may need a little reminder of why you should always be mindful of your lifestyle, especially towards Christmas.
A SLICE OF ORANGE
VOLUME 10 • ISSUE 12 • DECEMBER 2016
Hypertension, or high blood pressure (BP), occurs when the force of blood pushing against the arteries (blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to the rest of the body) is too high. Genetics, an unhealthy lifestyle, obesity, some medications and some medical conditions lead to high BP.
The BP reading
110 70
(SYSTOLIC PRESSURE)
(DIASTOLIC PRESSURE) • Systolic pressure: the force at which your heart pumps blood • Diastolic pressure: the pressure when your heart rests between beats
Ideal BP is lower than 120/80 mmHg. A BP reading between 120/80 mmHg and 140/90 mmHg could mean you’re at risk of developing hypertension.
Complications of
every 5 years, but your doctor may rec-
hypertension
ommend more frequent checking.
Having high BP for short amounts of
To diagnose if you have hypertension,
time is OK, but when your BP is high
your doctor will check your BP at the first
most of the time, it’s a cause for concern.
visit and may ask you to check your BP
Persistently high BP increases your risk of
at various times and keep a record of all
very serious, life-threatening conditions,
your results. This can help him or her de-
such as:
termine your diagnosis at the next clinic
• Heart disease
visit. Additional tests may be ordered to
• Heart attack
Hypertension symptoms
determine if your high BP is because of
• Heart failure
and diagnosis
other diseases (that should also be treat-
• Stroke
Hypertension is often called the ‘silent
ed) or if you have primary hypertension
• Aneurysm
killer’ because it doesn’t usually have
(not caused by another condition).
• Peripheral arterial/vascular
noticeable symptoms. The only way
If you don’t live or work near a clinic,
disease (which affects blood supply
to know for sure that your BP is high is
it may be a good idea to invest in a
to the legs)
to have it checked. If you are over 40
home BP monitor for more convenient BP
• Kidney disease
years old, have your BP checked at least
measuring.
A SLICE OF ORANGE
VOLUME 10 • ISSUE 12 • DECEMBER 2016
THESE SITUATIONS NEED IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION, SO CALL YOUR DOCTOR IF YOU EXPERIENCE ANY OF THESE: • BP is still high even after
taking all the medication your
doctor prescribed
• Symptoms from uncontrolled
high BP or medication side
effects, such as:
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Shortness of breath
• Lower your salt intake and have
If you were prescribed medication,
- Lightheadedness
a generally low-fat, balanced diet.
make sure to take them exactly as your
- Headache
If you need to attend several parties
doctor advised. Never take meds recom-
- Excessive sweating
this month, eat just small portions
mended by a friend, as your BP-lowering
of everything so you don’t feel de-
medicines are chosen for your specific
- Problems with your vision
prived. Load up on veggies.
case. If you are able to control your BP
- Confusion
Reducing your BP
• Cut down on alcohol and caffeine.
Follow these steps today to lower
• Lose weight if you’re overweight.
your BP, whether or not you are taking
• Stop smoking.
medication. They can also possibly help
• Get enough sleep, at least 6 hours.
avoid the need for meds.
• Exercise regularly (or more frequently through good lifestyle changes, your if you know you’ll be eating a bit
doctor may opt to lower your medication
more carbs than usual).
dose or eliminate your meds completely.
Helping Your People in the Path to Progress Benefits Made Better Email us at inquiries@activelinkbenefits.com or call us at 8174606, and let us know when we can share our strategy. Let us help you make your benefits better!
Looking to enhance your corporate healthcare benefits? E-mail us at benefits@activelinkbenefits.com. The information in this newsletter is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Consult a doctor for all matters relating to your health, particularly for symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention. © 2016 ActiveLink
Benefits Made Better
ActiveLink 7/F Electra House Building 115-117 Esteban St., Legaspi Village, Makati City www.activelinkbenefits.com
A Slice of Orange
is a newsletter designed to help clarify basic health information and offer juicy tips on uplifting your health.
Editorial team Alvin Delfin Christine Llenes-Delfin Anna de Guzman, MD