Hypertension is also diagnosed when an individual has a routine visit with their family physician, eye doctor, or dentist. Once the doctor has measured a high blood pressure they will check the blood pressure two more times before diagnosing the patient with hypertension. To rule out any secondary causes, the physician will perform a blood test, urine test, or eye exam. Another dorm of diagnosis is the Electrocardiograd or ECG. An electrocardiogram is when electrodes are placed on the skin to detect electrical activity of the heart. It detects abnormalities in conduction of impulses.
It is a graphical recording of the electrical events occurring within the heart. Because an ECG is a recording of the heart’s electrical events, it is valuable in diagnosing diseases or ailments that damage the conductive abilities of the heart muscle. When cardiac muscle cells are damaged or destroyed, they are no longer able to conduct the electrical impulses that flow through them. This causes the electrical signal to terminate at the damaged tissue or be directed away from the flow of the signal. The termination or redirection of the electrical signal will alter the manner in which the heart contracts.
A cardiologist can look at a patient’s electrocardiogram and determine the presence of damaged cardiac muscle based on the time interval between electrical events. (Pearson. 2005, p333. ) I. Treatment Treatment of hypertension includes diet therapy, drug therapy, and reduction of risk factors (smoking, obesity, and hypertension). A low-fat, low-cholesterol, low-sodium diet is encouraged. The aim is to reduce the serum cholesterol and serum triglyceride levels to achieve and keep ideal body weight. The medications that are prescribed to a patient with hypertension either lower the blood pressure or relax the arteries.
Diuretics lower the blood pressure by lowering the circulating blood volume through reducing the re-absorption of sodium and water through the kidneys. The names of the prescribed diuretic drugs are furosmide, spironolactore, metalazore, polythiazide, and benzthiazide (Perry and Potter, 2006, Pp. 600). Beta-blockers work with the receptors in the heart and the arterioles to reduce the heart rate and the cardiac output. The names of prescribed beta-blocker drugs are atenolol, tinormin, nadolol, timolol-maleate and propranolol (Perry and Potter, 2006, Pp.600).
Vasodilators cause relaxation of the arteriolar smooth muscle and reduce vascular resistance by systemic vasodilatation. The names of prescribed vasodilator drugs are hydralazine-hydrochoride and minoxidil (Perry and Potter, 2006, Pp. 600). Calcium channel blockers are very similar to vasodilators because they both reduce the vascular resistance through systemic vasodilatation. The names of prescribed calcium channel blocker drugs are diltiazem, verapail hydrochloride, nifedipine and nicardipine (Perry and Potter, 2006, Pp.600).
ACE inhibitors, also known as angiotension converting enzyme inhibitors lower the blood pressure by reducing aldosterone production, fluid retention and lowering the circulating blood volume. The names of prescribed ACE inhibitors are captopril, enalapril, lisinopril and benuzepril (Perry and Potter, 2006, Pp. 600). In some cases hypertension can be corrected through surgery. The qualifications for surgery are that the diastolic pressure must be exceeding 100 mm Hg (Cardiovascular disorders, 1984, p. 65).
Procedures that are done to control hypertension are by-passes with saphenous vein or Dacron grafts, endarterectomies, arterioectomies, patch-grafting, stints, closed angioplasty, nephrectomy and sometimes the removal of a tumor (Cardiovascular disorders, 1984, p. 65). If hypertension is not treated with medications or lifestyle changes many health problems can occur. High blood pressure can affect the heart, the brain, the kidneys, the peripheral blood vessels and the eyes (Cardiovascular disorders, 1984, Pp. 62, 63).
It is very important that everyone gets regular blood pressure checks to prevent these health problems from occurring.
References:
Hypertension. Retrieved January 6, 2008, from http://wikipedia. org. /wik/hypertension Jacob, M. P. (2004) Extracellular matrix remodeling and matrix metalloproteinases in the vascular wall during aging and in pathological conditions. Biomedecine & Pharmacotherapy 57, 5-6, Retrieved January 2003, from ScienceDirect database. Makoff, D. (2006) Could Impatience Be Raising Your Blood Pressure?
WebMD. Retrieved January 6, 2008 , http://www. webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/impatience_and_blood_pressure? Mosby Staff (2005) Mosby’s Medical Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing and Health Professions. New York: Elsevier Health Sciences. Potter, P. & Perry A. , (2006) Basic Nursing: Essential for Practice. New York: Elsevier Health Sciences. Pearson, F. M. & Fairchild, (2005) Principles and Techniques of Patient Care. New York: Elsevier Health Sciences. Timmons, B. & Ley, R. (1994) Cardiovascular Disorders. New York, LLC: Springer-Verlag Whitney, E. N. & Sizer, S. S. (2003) Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies. New York:Cengage Learning