Understanding Hypertension as A Caregiver
Understanding Hypertension-Hypertension is the pressure in your arteries when the heart is both contracted and also relaxed. The 2 numbers are the systolic(top number) and diastolic(bottom number) with a normal range being around 120/80. There are 2 types of hypertension. There is primary or essential hypertension which is the most common type and it is poorly understood. The second type is secondary hypertension which has an underlying cause such as medications, renovascular disease, endocrine disease, or renal disease.
What effects can Hypertension have on a patient short term and long term?-The short term effects are not really evident. The long term effects of hypertension are heart failure, stroke, chronic kidney disease, and coronary disease. There are also hypertensive emergencies such as aortic dissection which can be life threatening as well as hypertensive encephalopathy.
Best practices for treating hypertension-Always start with conservative measures such as lowering sodium intake, limiting alcohol use, increasing physical activity, losing weight, and eating foods that are low in fat. If these conservative measures fail to lower hypertension then medications can be started. If medications fail to lower blood pressure then secondary hypertension could be a cause as well and that may need to be further investigated.
What to be prepared for when dealing with a patient with hypertension-Medications for treating hypertension should be administered as prescribed. Check blood pressure routinely to make sure the medication is working. A medication can also be held if the blood pressure is low. In addition a proper diet rich in vegetables and fruits but low in salt and fat should be given.
Best practices for making the hypertensive patient as comfortable as possible-A person with hypertension will usually be asymptomatic and no special practices or measures need to be done. If a patient with hypertension starts to feel symptoms such as headache, blurry vision, chest pain, or palpitations then the blood pressure is likely very high. A visit to an ER is likely warranted and the blood pressure will need to be controlled in an inpatient setting most likely.
Checklist for patient safety and comfort for hypertension sufferers-
- Limit salt intake
- Stay physically active for at least 30 minutes a day
- Eat a balanced diet of fruit, vegetables, and low fat dairy products
- Limit alcohol intake
- Have lab work drawn yearly to check for cholesterol, thyroid, kidney function, and anything else recommended by primary care provider; also may need lab work more often
- Lose weight if overweight
- Be compliant with all medications and take them as prescribed
- If having symptoms such as chest pain, headache, or blurry vision go to the ER for further evaluation