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The truth about BP
Hypertension or high blood pressure (BP) is common but misunderstood, and there are many myths about this condition that may hinder you to go and have your BP levels checked. This issue clears up some BP myths.
Myth: Common symptoms of high BP include nape pain, nervousness, sweating and difficulty sleeping. Fact: High BP or hypertension often has no symptoms – there is a reason why it’s called the ‘silent killer’. You can feel that you are at the peak of health and still have a high BP reading. The reverse is also true: you can have risk factors for heart disease, like being overweight or a smoker, but have optimal BP levels. This is not an excuse, however, to live an unhealthy lifestyle. When hypertension is advanced, the first ‘symptom’ to manifest may be a fatal or disabling heart attack or stroke. Don’t let it get that far! Everyone should have their BP checked regularly and find out for sure if they are meeting target levels.
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 Orange de Guzman, MD
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With or without BP meds, lifestyle changes can help you control and prevent high BP. Here are the top recommendations.
Myth: You can usually tell if your BP is up or down based on how you feel.
Myth: High BP is part of aging. Everyone is bound to be hypertensive someday.
Fact: You can’t predict your BP – only a BP-reading device can determine your BP level. This is why you can’t adjust your BP medications based on ‘gut feel’, without the help of a doctor.
Fact: Hypertension is not something that should just be accepted in old age. First of all, not all elderly people have high BP, and when they do have it, it should certainly be treated. Remember that high BP is an abnormality that can and should be controlled to prevent serious problems such as heart disease, stroke or kidney disease.
Myth: Only old people can have high BP. Fact: Although uncommon, even children can have high BP. Teenagers should definitely have their BP checked. Teens should also start trying to keep their weight down (but not to anorexic levels!) because preventing overweight or obesity while they are still young can help prevent atherosclerosis later on in life. Hypertension can develop at any stage of life.
Myth: One high BP reading means that you have hypertension. Fact: Although one high BP reading may suggest you have hypertension, it does not ascertain the diagnosis. The classification of hypertension is based on the average of two or more properly measured, seated BP readings taken by a qualified healthcare professional on each of two or more office or clinic visits.
• Get regular aerobic exercise • Lose weight if you are overweight or obese • Eat a healthy diet – more fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products; less saturated, trans and total fats • Reduce the amount of sodium in your diet • Quit smoking • Limit alcohol to two drinks a day for men, one drink a day for women Normal BP:
<120 mmHg <80 Prehypertension:
120–139 mmHg 80–89 If you are prehypertensive, you are at a higher risk of developing hypertension.
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calm person can have high BP. This is another reason why you should have your BP checked – to find out for sure if you need treatment. If you already have hypertension, however, stress can worsen your high BP.
Myth: A good diet doesn’t really treat hypertension – after all, doctors don’t prescribe dietary measures to lower BP.
Myth: Having high cholesterol means you have high BP also. Fact: These two conditions are not the same but they share the same risk factors. In other words, the lifestyle habits that cause elevated cholesterol can also cause high BP. These include a diet high in saturated fat, a sedentary or inactive lifestyle and drinking too much alcohol.
Myth: High BP affects only people who are always stressed or hyperactive. Fact: People with all kinds of personality can develop hypertension. Even a very
Myth: A high diastolic pressure is more dangerous than a high systolic pressure. Fact: Both systolic and diastolic pressures are important, and both should be kept at optimal levels. The systolic pressure is the first or larger number, or the pressure of the blood against arterial walls; the diastolic pressure is the second or smaller number, or the pressure in the arteries while the heart is filling or resting between pumps. Although some sources say treating the systolic pressure is more important in older people and treating the diastolic pressure is imperative in younger people, it’s safe to say that both pressures should be kept at normal levels at any age.
Fact: A good, heart-healthy diet* not only reduces BP, it can also lower the risk of many other serious conditions, including obesity, diabetes, heart attacks, and so on. Any competent doctor or cardiologist can teach you about the right diet, and not just simply prescribe medications.
A slice of trivia The more common term for a myocardial infarction is ‘heart attack’. ‘Brain attack’, on the other hand, is another term for what medical emergency? Hint: It starts with an S and is a possible complication of high BP. Freshen up on your researching skills, e-mail us the answer at orange@activelink-consult.com and win a prize! From those with the correct answer, 10 people will be randomly chosen to win a
gift pack from ActiveLink. We’ll include the answer in the next issue of A Slice of Orange. Answer to last issue’s question: What C word is a unit of food energy?
The calorie is a unit of food energy. Carbohydrates (including fiber), fats, proteins and ethanol all contain calories. On the other hand, water, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, caffeine, spices and natural flavors do not contain calories. Tea and coffee also have
Looking to enhance your corporate healthcare benefits? E-mail us at benefits@activelink-consult.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. © 2008 ActiveLink
Benefits Made Better
ActiveLink 104 VA Rufino Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City, 1229 Philippines T: +632 817 4606 / 817 7900 www.activelink-consult.com
*The November 2008 issue of A Slice of Orange was all about how the right diet can lower BP. Contact us for copies of last month’s issue.
no calories if you don’t add sugar or cream. Fats and ethanol have the most calories per gram.
The Orange wants to he ar from you! Dying to ask us your health related questio ns? Itching to share your pe rsonal health tips? Want to sugg est topics for future issues? Feel free to contac t us. You can e-m ail our team at orange@activ elink-consult.c om.