October 1, 2007 Hello! Most people have heard that high blood pressure is bad, but many people don't know what those blood pressure numbers really mean, or why they matter.
"Blood pressure is the force in the arteries when the heart
beats (systolic pressure) and when the heart is at rest
(diastolic pressure). It's measured in millimeters of
mercury (mm Hg). High blood pressure (or hypertension) is
defined in an adult as a blood pressure greater than or
equal to 140 mm Hg systolic pressure or greater than or
equal to 90 mm Hg diastolic pressure.
High blood pressure directly increases the risk of coronary
heart disease (which leads to heart attack) and stroke,
especially when it's present with other risk factors. ..." While high blood pressure is fairly straightforward to define in adults (and, therefore, more easily diagnosed), it is more complicated to both define and diagnose in children.
"Doctors spotted only one in four children who had high
blood pressure in a new study, showing how easily and often
the dangerous problem is missed. ... One of the biggest
reasons that hypertension is missed in children is that
normal blood pressure values change based on a child's age,
gender and height. So, while 120/80 mm/Hg is a normal
reading for an adult and for some older children, that same
reading could indicate high blood pressure in a younger,
shorter child. ... [Additionally, a] child must have three
readings that fall into the high blood pressure category
before the diagnosis can be accurately made, Kaelber said.
That makes diagnosis tough, he added, since a long time can
elapse between each well-child visit. ... Factors making it
more likely a child would be diagnosed with hypertension
were older age, taller height, obesity and having more than
three abnormal blood pressure readings. 'Those more at risk
of having hypertension undiagnosed were children who were
younger, shorter and those who didn't have an
obesity-related diagnosis,' said Kaelber." While children with an "obesity-related diagnosis" were more likely to be diagnosed, those with healthy weights should be screened for high blood pressure, as well.
"For some children, high blood pressure is caused by
problems with the kidneys or heart. But for a growing
number of kids, poor lifestyle habits -- such as an
unhealthy diet and lack of exercise -- contribute to high
blood pressure. High blood pressure in children has become
a natural extension of the nationwide obesity epidemic." Whatever the cause, high blood pressure is an unhealthy sign.
"When a child has high blood pressure, the heart and
arteries have a much heavier workload -- the heart has to
pump harder and the arteries are under greater strain as
they carry blood. Although severe hypertension is rare in
kids, even mild to moderate hypertension can cause damage
to the heart, kidneys, brain, and eyes over time. ... If
your child's blood pressure isn't what it should be, the
treatment will depend on just how high it is and what's
causing the increase. ... But when kids have mild to
moderate hypertension -- and there's no underlying illness
or other probable cause -- doctors may suggest an initial
game plan that includes:
* weight loss
* more fruits and vegetables
* less salt
* more exercise and participation in organized sports
(although kids with severe hypertension need a doctor's OK
before any strenuous activities) ...
Being proactive can help curb any potential problems down
the road. With early diagnosis and treatment, kids with
high blood pressure can lead active, normal lives." While a healthy diet and exercise routine can be part of the treatment plan once high blood pressure is suspected or diagnosed, they can also play a key role in prevention. Whether high blood pressure is an imminent concern or not, a health care professional can help those who are interested in prevention and/ or treatment to create the diet and exercise plan that is right for them. For many, this involves breaking old habits and replacing them with new ones; the trick is finding new ones that are healthier.
"Sodas -- even diet ones -- may be linked with increased
risk factors for heart disease and diabetes, researchers
said on Monday. They found adults who drink one or more
sodas a day -- diet or regular -- had about a 50 percent
higher risk of metabolic syndrome -- a cluster of risk
factors such as excessive fat around the waist, low levels
of 'good' cholesterol, high blood pressure and other
symptoms. 'When you have metabolic syndrome, your risk of
developing heart disease or stroke doubles. You also have a
risk of developing diabetes,' said Dr. Ramachandran Vasan
of Boston University School of Medicine, whose work appears
in the journal Circulation. Prior studies have linked
consumption of sugar-laden sodas with multiple risk factors
for heart disease, but Vasan and colleagues also found the
link extends to diet sodas."
Questions of the Week: Please email me with any ideas or suggestions. I look forward to reading what you have to say. Cindy |
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