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Hypertension Research

Gail Bowman, April 17, 2019

“Hypertension is a significant risk factor for coronary artery disease and stroke, a leading

cause of death and disability worldwide” failure (Nicoll, R and Henein, M. Y, 2010). People that

have hypertension increase their chances of getting other diseases. Those diseases include kidney

disease, heart failure, coronary heart disease and dementia (Nicoll, R and Henein, M. Y, 2010).

Hypertension, or high blood, pressure is a disease that many people all over the world suffer

from. Anyone can have high blood pressure, but there are certain factors that can increase the

risk such as: sex, age, weight, and many more. In some cases, the disease can be hereditary, but

there are also ways people can control their high blood pressure. The main ways people can

control high blood pressure is through diet and exercise.

The development of hypertension can start from an unhealthy diet. Diets high in salt,

sugar, alcohol, saturated fats, etc. can all lead the development of this disease. High amounts of

stress with no management can also lead to high blood pressure. There are different factors to

which hypertension is diagnosed depending on the severity, whether there are other diseases

involved, age, and others (Chobanian, A. V, 2017). According to the author:

First, for most adults younger than 50 years, despite the lack of definitive clinical trial

data, the goal BP of less than 120/80 mm Hg is recommended based on the wealth of

epidemiological data demonstrating an almost linear increase in CVD risk with

increasing BP levels above this goal. In the presence of CVD, chronic renal disease, or

diabetes, an SBP goal of less than 130 mm Hg seems appropriate. (Chobanian, A V,

2017)
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The author of the article states that there is different diagnosis for hypertension. When other

diseases are present in the patients there can be a wider range of what is considered a healthy

blood pressure. That’s why the author states that people with other diseases with less than 130

mmHg for their systole blood pressure is acceptable. The average population less than 50 years

of age should fall under 120 mmHg systolic and 80 mmHg diastolic measurements. The systolic

measurement is the measure of the pressure in the heart and blood vessels when the heart

contracts or pumps. The diastolic measurement is the pressure of the heart relaxing or at rest.

When the patients have a blood pressure higher than these, they will be diagnosed with

hypertension. There are ways to decrease or do away with the disease, such as, diet, exercise,

prescribed medications.

“Americans have the highest number of patients diagnosed with hypertension as

compared to five European countries” (Wang, Y. R, 2007). Hypertension is a problem in many

countries, but the United States has a higher number of hypertensive patients. A way to fix or

control this is by eating a healthy diet. Diets containing a high amount of salt, saturated fats and

others, with not a lot of fruits and vegetables can increase the change of developing

hypertension. Unhealthy eating can also lead to other diseases. Some medications can be

prescribed to patients, but according to this article they don’t always work as well as they should,

“Overall, 68% of adults with hypertension were using anti-hypertensive medication. Over 64%

of adults who were taking antihypertensive medication achieved BP less than 140/90 mm Hg”

(Yoon J. H. and T. L, 2008). There are ways to treat hypertension other than diet including, beta

blocking agents, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, dihydropyridine calcium

channel blockers (CCB), and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBD) (Gupta, R., & Guptha, S,
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2010). There are many types of pharmaceutical treatments, but diet and exercise are extremely

important for managing high blood pressure.

Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) is a diet that is high in fruits, calcium,

and vegetables and low in sodium (Gupta, R., & Guptha, S, 2010). This diet was specifically

made for people that have high blood pressure. The DASH diet is also low in red meat, sugary

foods or drinks, processed foods, and saturated fat. The diet is high in fish, poultry, whole grains,

olive oil, and low-fat dairy products. Other ways to reduce blood pressure is to stop smoking,

manage stress, and only consume alcohol in moderation (Nicoll, R and Henein, M. Y, 2010). The

author of an article states, “The PREMIER trial found that the DASH diet combined with alcohol

and salt reduction, weight loss, and aerobic exercise achieved a reduction of 14.2/7.4 mmHg

among hypertensives” (Nicoll, R and Henein, M. Y, 2010). This study has shown a significant

decrease in the systolic and diastolic pressure. The decrease was achieved by following along

with the DASH diet, proving that it works well. Studies have been done to show that with an

increase of salt the systolic and diastolic pressure can increase. The studies also show that

potassium and blood pressure have an inverse relationship. So, with the increase of potassium,

from fruits and vegetables, the systolic pressure went down by around 4.4 mmHg and the

diastolic pressure went down by 2.5 mmHg. It is recommended to receive potassium from fruits

and vegetables, rather than a supplement pill. Alcohol should only be consumed in moderation;

the usual recommendation is one alcoholic beverage per day. A study shows that the blood

pressure will go up with consumption of more than two drinks. An average alcoholic drink is a

12-ounce beer, a four to six-ounce glass of wine, or one-and-a-half-ounce liquor. Physical

activity and blood pressure also have an inverse relationship. People with hypertension should

get at least 30 minutes of exercise majority of the week. Physical activity lowers the amount of
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resistance in the heart which will lower blood pressure. Stress management and yoga are also

proven to decrease blood pressure (Gupta, R., & Guptha, S, 2010). Another successful diet is the

Mediterranean diet. This diet consists of an increase of green tea, fish containing omega-3, and

an increase in garlic. This diet if relatively low in protein and high in vegetables and oils. This

diet allows for the consumption of wine in moderation. Also, the use of herbs and spices for

flavor rather than salt. When patients are regularly eating healthy diet to control their high blood

pressure there is less cost involved with buying prescription medications. There is also no burden

of the side effects that come along with medication (Nicoll, R and Henein, M. Y, 2010).

Evidence and studies have shown that blood pressure with go down when interacting with a

healthy diet and moderate exercise.

There are many ways to help control hypertension. These studies and articles show that

by changing the way people eat can decrease blood pressure and risk for hypertension and so

many other diseases that go along with an unhealthy diet. The diets and exercise can lead to a

longer and healthier life. Dieting and exercising are both in the control of the patient and their

choices and lifestyle factors can impact their health in good or bad ways. The DASH diet and the

Mediterranean diet are both successful in decreasing high blood pressure. Looking into the

future, if people can eat healthier, this could not be the risk factor to the leading causes of death

anymore.
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References

Chobanian, A. V. (2017, February 14). Hypertension in 2017-What Is the Right Target?

Retrieved from <https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2600610>.

Gupta, R., & Guptha, S. (2010, November). Strategies for initial management of hypertension.

Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3028941/.

Nicoll, R., & Henein, M. Y. (2010, December 01). Hypertension and lifestyle modification: How

useful are the guidelines? Retrieved from <https://bjgp.org/content/60/581/879.full>.

Wang, Y. R. (2007, January 22). Outpatient Hypertension Treatment, Treatment Intensification,

and Control in Western Europe and the United States. Retrieved from

<https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/article-abstract/411524>.

Yoon, J, H., & T, L. (2008, January). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National

Center for Health Statistics, Hyattsville, Maryland 20782, USA. Retrieved from

<https://europepmc.org/abstract/med/19389317>.