Audio-visual equipment provided through a grant byTexas Medical Association Foundation

Retired Physicians Organization

of theHarris County Medical

Society

High blood pressure

The silent killer

SYMPTOMS

Almost always NONE

Occasionally headaches, dizziness,

nosebleeds

HOW TO KNOW ?

Check your blood pressure regularly

WHAT IS HYPERTENSION ?

When your heart pumps (systolic) over 135 is high

When your heart relaxes between beatsover 85 is high

WHAT CAUSES HYPERTENSION ? Two types

1. Primary (essential) hypertensionNo known cause but high family incidenceComes on slowly over years

2. SECONDARY HYPERTENSION

Kidney problems Adrenal gland tumors Congenital blood vessel problems Medicines - birth control pills

Decongestantscold remediessome prescription drugs

Illegal drugs, cocaine, speed

What are the risk factors ?

AGE

Blood pressure increasesas we grow older

SEX

High blood pressure ismore common in men

than in women

RACE

Afro-Americans get it younger and more

severely than whites

FAMILY

Strong tendency to run in families

WEIGHT

Being overweight or obeseoverworks the heart

andincreases blood pressure

INACTIVITY

Leads to higher heart ratesand

Increased work for the heart

Aerobic exercise conditions your heart

NICOTINE

All tobacco productsraise blood pressure

Even second hand smoke

SALT

Too much salt is a killer

ALCOHOL

One or two drinks per day max

STRESS

Temporarily raises BP

OTHER CONDITIONS

Diabetes, High cholesterol,

Kidney disease,

Sleep apnea.

COMPLICATIONS Heart attack or stroke Aneurysm Heart failure Kidney failure Blood vessels in the eye Metabolic syndrome Memory loss due to damage to

arteries in the brain

DIAGNOSIS Need to check blood pressure regularly Monitor at pharmacy or home BP

monitor Physical examination Simple blood tests and urine test

TREATMENT

Almost always successful if: Diet, exercise, weight control

Find the right combination of meds for you, takes time and teamwork

Many types of medicine, and right combination takes cooperation between you and doctor

PREVENT COMPLICATIONS

Take proper care of yourself

DIABETES

TYPES

Type 1Starts early in life

Type 2Develops in adults

SYMPTOMS(Usually there are no symptoms) Excessive thirst Excessive urination Excessive hunger Weight loss Fatigue Slow healing of sores Infections

INCREASED LIKELIHOOD Family history Weight Inactivity Age Can occur during pregnancy Race - black, Hispanic, native

American

COMPLICATIONS Heart and blood vessel disease Nerve damage (neuropathy) Kidney damage (nephropathy) Eye damage (retinopathy) Foot damage (gangrene) Skin and mouth damage Osteoporosis Alzheimer’s disease Hearing problems

CAN IT BE PREVENTED??

Maybe, if..............

PREVENTION OF COMPLICATIONSDIETDIETDIETDIETDIETDIET

Good foods with very little sugar

Foods to limit

FOODS TO AVOID Sugar Sugar Sugar Cookies and candies Ice cream

PREVENTION OF COMPLICATIONS

Aerobic exercise (sustained exercise raising

your pulse )

MEDICATIONS Pills to increase your own insulin

Pills to make you more sensitive

to insulin Insulin injections(many types)

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF

Diet Exercise Keep track of your blood sugar

Regular doctor visits Regular testing for complications

HOW TO BE TAKEN CARE OF PROPERLY

Between 50,000 & 100,000 die in U.S. hospitals each year as the result of medical errors.

MEDICAL ERRORS CAN OCCUR ANYWHERE IN THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM:

Hospitals. Clinics. Outpatient Surgery Centers. Doctors' Offices. Nursing Homes. Pharmacies. Patients' Homes.

ERRORS CAN INVOLVE: Medicines. Surgery. Diagnosis. Equipment. Lab reports.

WHO IS RESPONSIBLEFOR YOUR WELL BEING?

YOU ARE!

The single most important way you can help to

prevent errors is to be an active member of your

health care team.

Make sure that all of your doctors know about

everything you are taking: this includes prescription

and over-the-counter medicines, and dietary supplements such as vitamins and herbs.

Make sure your doctor knows

about any allergies and adverse

reactions you have had to medicines

 When your doctor writes you a prescription, make

sure you can read it!

ASK FOR INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR MEDICINES

What is the medicine for? How am I supposed to take it, and for

how long? What side effects are likely? What do I do

if they occur? Is this medicine safe to take with other

medicines or dietary supplements I am taking?

What food, drink, or activities should I avoid while taking this medicine?

Double check again when you get your medicine from the drug store.

Make sure that you get a written sheet from the

drug store

If you have lab work make sure that you are told the results

When you go to see your doctor take someone responsible with you.

Write down questions you have before you go to the doctor’s office.

Take a pen and paper with you to write down what the

doctor tells you.

What should you saywhen a doctor says

“Do you understand?”