NCM 111 RRL Chapter 2

Kyle Blaine S.
Ibahay
- RRL
HYPERTENSION
A condition of the blood vessels having increase pressure each time the heart pumps blood to all parts of
the body. The force of blood pumping against the arterial walls is how blood pressure is measured. As the heart
continues to work to pump harder, the pressure thus increases (WHO, 2021)¹. So as blood pressure increases,
risks of heart, kidney and many other diseases can potentially be fatal. Although treatable, this common
condition is overlooked. This is due to symptoms being “unnoticeable” and such condition develops over time.
Being above the age of 40, male or even slightly overweight are simple factors that can typically be an early sign
of hypertension which is why early detection is important. Regular blood pressure checks can help both you and
your healthcare provider notice any elevations or abnormal readings (Healthline, 2021) ⁴. A conducted study
within Europe, show that among the 720 million people diagnosed with hypertension, the people were either not
receiving treatment that was needed or they lacked proper guidance and treatment regimen (WHO, 2021)².
As aforementioned, Hypertension can cause many health complications and can cripple heart, brain,
kidney as well as eye function. Heart disease can arise from the decrease blood flow and oxygen to your heart
leading to stroke, angina and possibly heart failure. People with diabetes and high blood pressure often have
kidney malfunction thus also leading to chronic kidney disease (CKD). Key factors of prevention and
management can lower blood pressure and keep healthy readings. These factors involve controlling stress, eating
a balanced diet limiting sodium intake, smoking cessation, and exercise (CDC, 2021)³.
There are several other predisposing factors to hypertension. Factors such as environment and location
and the process of urbanization (moving to; bringing about more urban) are considered determinants and drivers
of non-communicable diseases (NCD). Deriving non-communicable diseases (NCD)’s can differ in urban areas
and rural regions of the same place. This is seen more usually in low and middle class people (Singh et al.,
2017)⁵.
MANAGEMENT
Controlling blood pressure is a big part of treatment/management and prevention of any further
complications. Self-monitoring has shown to improve readings and control blood but largely relies on effective
communication between Health care provider and patient. Often times patients do not share their readings or
mention that they are self-monitoring. Tele-monitoring is a form of a self-monitoring device that can solve this
particular issue and enhance patient compliance. Monitoring readings give an updated baseline on the patients’
BP ratios to judge whether it is improving or worsening. Hence, the importance of early detection. Other ways in
enhancing compliance are the use of blood pressure (BP) monitoring apps. BP apps are a form of tele-monitoring
which allows patients and clinician to communicate and for the clinician to be informed. These apps allow the
patient to control the BP measurement and automatically downloads the current or previous readings. It is then
computed from a microchip during pressure sensor readings (Kitt et al.,2019)⁶.
Although there are many non medicinal treatment for hypertension, such as lifestyles changes, diet,
exercise, etc., there are people that cannot modify those factors in their lives, or rather, it may be too late that
they have become reliant on pharmacotherapy. Examples of these are angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)
inhibitors also known as angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), diuretics, calcium channel blockers (CCBs),and
beta-blockers. Some patients may require more doses, strength and/or a variety of selected and recommended
anti hypertensive medications for their BP target (Nguyen et al., 2010)⁷.
Over time patients may develop resistant hypertension (high BP does not respond to aggressive
treatment – may increase risk of heart and kidney complications) when taking 3 or more drugs at their
maximally tolerated doses (JohnHopkinsMedicine)⁸ .

Management is aerobic activity if it can be tolerated, limiting the use of NSAIDs (pain relief), decrease salt and
alcohol consumption, and treating sleep apnea if any with Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
(ClevelandClinic)⁹ .
CITATIONS:
¹ Hypertension. (2021, August 25). World Health Organization.
https://www.who.int/health-topics/hypertension#tab=tab_1
² More than 700 million people with untreated hypertension. (2021, August 25). World Health
Organization.
https://www.who.int/new/item25-08-2021-more-than-700-million-people-with-untreated-
hypertension
³ High Blood Pressure Symptoms and Causes. (2021, May 18). Center for Disease Control and
Prevention.
https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/about.htm
⁴ High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): Symptoms and More. (2021. October 27). Healthline.
https://www.healthline.com/health/high-blood-pressure-hypertension#definition
⁵ Singh, S., Shankar, R., & Singh, G. P. (2017, December 3). Prevalence and associated risk
factors of hypertension: A cross-sectional study in urban Varanasi. International journal of
hypertension.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5733954
⁶ Kitt, J., Fox, R., Tucker, K. L., & McManus, R. J. (2019, April 25). New Approaches in
Hypertension Management: A review of current and developing technologies and their
potential impact on hypertension care. Current hypertension reports.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6483962/
⁷ Nguyen, Q., Dominguez, J., Nguyen, L., & Gullapalli, N. (2010, January). Hypertension
management: An update. American health & drug benefits.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4106550/
⁸ Resistant hypertension. Johns Hopkins Medicine. (n.d.)., Retrieved January 13, 2022
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/high-blood-pressure-
hypertension/resistant-hypertension#:~:text=Resistant%20hypertension%20is%20high
%20blood,at%20their%20maximally%20tolerated%20doses
⁹ Resistant hypertension: Causes, treatments. Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Retrieved January 13,
2022, from
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15601-resistant-hypertension
Links:
1. https://www.who.int/health-topics/hypertension#tab=tab_1
2. https://www.who.int/new/item25-08-2021-more-than-700-million-people-with-untreated-
hypertension
3. https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/about.htm
4. https://www.healthline.com/health/high-blood-pressure-hypertension#definition
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5733954
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6483962/
7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4106550/
8. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/high-blood-pressure-
hypertension/resistant-hypertension#:~:text=Resistant%20hypertension%20is%20high
%20blood,at%20their%20maximally%20tolerated%20doses
9. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15601-resistant-hypertension

NCM 111 RRL Chapter 2

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

NCM 111 RRL Chapter 2

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

NCM 111 RRL Chapter 2

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Kyle Blaine S.

computed from a microchip during pressure sensor readings (Kitt et al.,2019)⁶.

anti hypertensive medications for their BP target (Nguyen et al., 2010)⁷.

maximally tolerated doses (JohnHopkinsMedicine)⁸ .

¹ Hypertension. (2021, August 25). World Health Organization.

factors of hypertension: A cross-sectional study in urban Varanasi. International journal of

Hypertension Management: A review of current and developing technologies and their

potential impact on hypertension care. Current hypertension reports.

management: An update. American health & drug benefits.

You might also like