Muskogee Phoenix
Living Well
Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012
Page 5
High blood pressure can be deadly Doctor: Treat hypertension to reduce risk of heart, kidney, other problems By Wendy Burton Phoenix Staff Writer
Hypertension is an insidious condition, quite common, and possibly deadly, a local doctor said. Not only does high blood pressure cause heart disease, but over a long period of time it can cause kidney and blood vessel damage as well. Weakened blood vessels can lead to aneurysms, which can lead to stroke or even death. Weakened heart muscles can lead to congestive heart failure. But hypertension is a condition that often shows no symptoms, said local cardiologist Dr. Yee Ong with Cardiology Clinic of Muskogee. “When someone does begin to show signs, then they probably already have damage to their heart, lungs, kidneys or brains,” he said. Over the last few years, doctors have changed some perspective on hypertension, Ong said. “For one, we used to think your blood pressure was only high when (the top number) was above 150,” Ong said. “Now, we know the ideal blood pressure is 120 over 80.” Many people still think having a systolic (top) pressure of 140 is okay, Ong said. However, blood pressure in the 121 to 139 range indicate pre-hypertension and systolic pressure 140 and above can cause patients to have a high risk for kidney failure. Additionally, Ong said, doctors have learned that treating hypertension with several medications at lower doses is far more effective than treating with a high dose of a single blood
Staff photo by Wendy Burton
Technician Jamie Laster demonstrates performing an echocardiogram on Brandon Noahr at Cardiology Clinic of Muskogee. Dr. Yee Ong with CCOM said hypertension is the most common cause of heart disease he sees. An echocardiogram can show if a heart has been damaged by high blood pressure.
pressure medicine. “People say, ‘How can this be when you’re giving me a lot of different medications?’” Ong said. “But it’s much better to have a low dose of several different kinds than to keep increasing the dose of a single medicine over time.” High blood pressure damages the heart by causing the heart to enlarge, or to thicken. “That means it makes your heart work harder, and
eventually, your heart becomes weaker, doesn’t work as well,” Ong said. “That can lead to congestive heart failure. And high blood pressure is also a risk factor for coronary artery disease, and it affects all blood vessels in your body.” Those with a family history or who are of AfricanAmerican ancestry are at higher risk for hypertension, he said. There are two kinds of hypertension — essential
An “echo” is an ultrasound of the heart that shows how well the valves open and close and whether there is any leakage. Sometimes blockages can be found as well. The thickness of the heart muscle is measured, to determine how profound the effect of hypertension was on the heart. Reach Wendy Burton at (918) 684-2926 or wburton@muskogeephoenix.com.
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in the United States, is the most common risk factor. High blood pressure makes it more difficult for the heart to do all of the pumping that it needs to do each day. This results in a constant strain on the muscles of the heart and can cause it to enlarge and eventually not be able to pump as effectively. If not properly controlled, diabetes can lead to heart damage, heart attack, and even death. Other ways to stay healthy include having a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet and exercising. Being overweight causes a real strain on your heart. By eating right and exercising, you can lose weight and reduce your risk of heart disease. Even mild or moderate exercise, under the supervision of your physician if needed, can provide great benefits to your heart. People who don't exercise at all or very infrequently have higher rates of heart disease and death than those who perform some sort of physical activity on a regular basis. Poorly controlled stress and anger can also be a risk factor for heart disease and lead to heart attacks and strokes. Managing stress lowers your risk. Practicing relaxation techniques, learning how to manage your time, setting realistic goals, getting involved in hobbies and activities that you enjoy, and mild exercise are great ways to reduce stress. Each of us has only one heart, so we need to do all we can to keep it healthy. Eat right, exercise, let go of stress and anger, and see your doctor on a regular basis so that you can maintain a heart-healthy lifestyle. If you don't succeed with these ideas today, try again tomorrow, and the next day and then the next day. Each thub-dub, 100,000 times a day, means another chance to get it right, for you and for your heart.
patients as well. Lifestyle changes are the first course of treatment. Smoking, drinking alcohol and being overweight are changeable conditions that contribute considerably to high blood pressure, Ong said. Salt intake and stress are also contributing factors. Diagnosing heart disease caused by hypertension includes getting an echocardiogram.
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Your heart works hard – take good care of it Thub-dub, thub-dub, thub-dub — approximately 100,000 times a day, a person's heart expands and contracts, making the characteristic “thub-dub” sound. Each of these “thubs” and “dubs” is your body's way of receiving and sending out life-giving blood, saturated with oxygen and nutrients that the cells in our body need to survive. The four chambers of the heart work in unison to pump the equivalent of 2,000 gallons of blood through our body in a 24- Rebecca B. hour day. Smith That’s a big workout for one small, Muskogee Couty EMS fist-sized muscle! With all that is required of it, we need to do everything we can to ensure that our heart stays healthy. The first and most important thing to ensuring a healthy heart is to know your risk factors. Some risk factors for heart disease cannot be controlled. These include males, people who are older, post-menopausal women, and those who are AfricanAmerican, Native American, and those with a Hispanic heritage. Other factors that greatly contribute to the chances of developing an unhealthy heart can be changed and managed. These include smoking, obesity, uncontrolled diabetes, and uncontrolled high blood pressure. Lowering your blood pressure, keeping blood sugar in a healthy range, and stopping smoking all have an immediate and wonderful impact on your heart. People who smoke have more than twice the risk for a heart attack than nonsmokers. High blood pressure, which affects more than 60 million people
and secondary. Essential hypertension is the most common, and often there is no identifiable cause for the high blood pressure. Secondary hypertension can be due to some other factor, such as kidney disease, being born with a blood vessel defect or taking birth control pills for women, he said. Age is one of the greatest risk factors, though Ong said he does see younger
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