Hypertension in the adult world is common and very familiar. In fact, the incidence of the disease in men and women is, roughly speaking, 50 million Americans (2004) or 217 per 1000. Furthermore, the prevalence rate is approximately one (1) in five (5) or 18. 38% or 50 million people in USA. There is also undiagnosed prevalence of hypertension: more than 15 million (more than 30% of 50 million are undiagnosed) which means to say that more or less, approx 1 in 18 or 5. 51% or 15 million people in USA.
Statistics on the incidence of hypertension available worldwide, on the other hand, is estimated to be 600 million people affected worldwide (Cardiovascular Diseases – Prevention and Control, WHO, 2001-2002). The age-adjusted prevalence of hypertension in overweight U. S. adults (BMI 25 and < 30) is 23. 9 percent for men and 23. 0 percent for women, compared with 18. 2 percent for men and 16. 5 percent for women who are not overweight (BMI < 25). The prevalence for obese adults (BMI 30) is 38. 4 percent for men and 32.2 percent for women.
High blood pressure does not mean excessive emotional tension, although emotional tension and stress can temporarily increase the blood pressure. An elevation of the systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure increases the risk of developing heart disease, kidney disease, hardening of the arteries, eye damage, and stroke. These complications of hypertension are often referred to as end-organ damage because damage to these organs is the end result of chronic (long duration) high blood pressure.
Accordingly, the diagnosis of high blood pressure in an individual is important so that efforts can be made to normalize the blood pressure and, thereby, prevent the complications. Since hypertension affects approximately 1 in 5 adults in the United States, it is clearly a major public health problem. I. Definition of terms: Hypertension is defined as mean systolic blood pressure 140 mm Hg, mean diastolic 90 mm Hg, or are currently taking antihypertensive medication (Ames, 1985).
Every time the heart beats, it pumps oxygen-rich blood through the blood vessels, or arteries, that run through the body. Blood pressure is the force of the blood pressing on against the walls of the arteries. Blood pressure is always given as two numbers, the systolic and diastolic pressures. Both are essential. Usually they are written one above or before the other — for example, 120/80 mmHg. The top, or first, number is the systolic and the bottom, or second number, is the diastolic.
If a person’s blood pressure is 120/80, that it is “120 over 80. ” The pressure of blood against the artery walls when the heart beats is called systolic pressure. The pressure between beats when the heart relaxes is called diastolic pressure. Nonfatal and fatal cardiovascular disease (CVD) – including coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke, as well as renal disease, intensify increasingly with higher levels of both systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure levels.
These relationships are strong, incessant, independent, predictive and etiologically important, and signify that the decrease of blood pressure diminishes these risks. Older women are predominantly likely to acquire high blood pressure. More than half of all women over age 60 have it. (Source: excerpt from Heart Disease & Women Controlling High Blood Pressure a Woman’s Guide: NHLBI). As many as 50 million Americans may have HBP. Among people age 65 and older, about 40 percent of Whites and 50 percent of Blacks have HBP.
(Source: excerpt from High Blood Pressure-Age Page-Health Information: NIA). The term ‘prevalence’ of Hypertension usually refers to the estimated population of people who are managing Hypertension at any given time. The term ‘incidence’ of Hypertension refers to the annual diagnosis rate, or the number of new cases of Hypertension diagnosed each year. Hence, these two statistics types can differ: a short-lived disease like flu (influenza) can have high annual incidence but low prevalence, but a life-long disease like diabetes has a low annual incidence but high prevalence.
Most people with high blood pressure do not exhibit signs or symptoms, even if blood pressure readings reach dangerously high levels. Even though a few people with early-stage high blood pressure may have dull headaches, dizzy spells or a few more nosebleeds than normal, these signs and symptoms characteristically don’t take place until high blood pressure has reached an advanced — possibly life-threatening — stage.