Definition:
Blood pressure is a measurement of the force of blood flow inside your arteries. Your blood pressure is stated as two figures, e.g. 120/80mmHg (millimetres of mercury). The first figure is known as the systolic pressure and relates to the pressure as the heart contracts and pushes blood out to the body. The second figure is the diastolic pressure and is when the heart relaxes again to fill up with blood.
Hypertension is not a discrete condition—increased level of pressure, either systolic or diastolic, increase the risk of heart disease (cardiovascular disease) and stroke to such a degree that action is necessary. The levels of maximum accepted pressure in the UK are 140 systolic and 90 diastolic but ideally it needs to be below this. When a doctor says “you have high blood pressure” they mean that your level of risk is such that action is needed to lower your risk of developing heart disease or having a stroke. This might include taking medication to lower your blood pressure, the benefits of which far outweigh the possible, usually minor, side effects.
Cause for scope and prevention:
Modifiable lifestyle factors such as lack of activity, increased body weight, and a poor diet high in fat and salt are considered to contribute to hypertension. Genetic influences may also play a part in the development of the condition.
Diagnosis:
A diagnosis and classification of hypertension occurs when an elevated blood pressure is taken at rest, often 2 separate readings are needed to confirm the diagnosis.
There are different stages of hypertension depending on blood pressure.
Classification Systolic(mmHg) Diastolic (mmHg)
Normal < 120 And <80
Prehypertension 120-139 Or 80-89
Stage 1 hypertension 140-159 Or 90-99
Stage 2 hypertension >160 Or >100
Standard medical therapy:
Most people with prehypertension should be managed mainly with lifestyle interventions such as exercise therapy and dietary modification.
People with stage 1 or stage 2 hypertension often require a combination of the lifestyle interventions described above in conjunction with blood pressure medication. There are many different blood pressure medication types and those with stage 2 hypertension will often require 2 or more medications.
Benefits of exercise therapy:
Regular exercise will reduce your blood pressure and is therefore essential for those with hypertension. On average, exercise reduces blood pressure by about 6-7 mmHg. Studies have shown that, if systolic blood pressure is reduced by 5 mmHg, deaths from strokes decrease by 14% and deaths from coronary heart disease (i.e. blocking of the blood vessels that supply the heart) decrease by 9%. Decreasing systolic pressure by 20mmHg halves the risk of cardiovascular mortality.
Exercise has been shown to be as effective as some blood pressure medications and should be the first treatment recommended to lower blood pressure, especially for those with prehypertension and stage 1 hypertension.
The focus of an exercise for those with hypertension should be a graduated aerobic program at a low to moderate intensity. For most people the aim should be to build up to 30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise, 5 days a week over a period of around 12 weeks.
Exercises such as brisk walking, cycling, gym-based exercise or home-based aerobics are ideal. Depending on the current fitness level and symptoms, it may be preferable to carry out this exercise in multiple short sessions with rest periods in between.
Although aerobic fitness activities should form the main part of the exercise program, a strengthening program (light to moderate intensity only) may also help to improve fitness, and may help to manage high blood pressure.
The following precautions should be taken for those who wish to exercise with hypertension.
Key references:
Cardiorespiratory fitness, exercise, and blood pressure.
Key organisation:
American College of Sports Medicine.
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