HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE NEEDS CONTROL

An estimated 50 million Americans are affected by high blood pressure or hypertension. Often called the silent killer, hypertension can go undetected until severe levels are reached. Routine physical exams can alert the health care giver to potential problems.

Hypertension occurs when the body's smaller blood vessels narrow, causing the blood to exert more pressure against the vessel walls.

"It's like the pressure in a pipe," said Dr. J.P. Downey, physician at the Jackson Family Clinic. "Pressure creates stress and over a period of years, artery walls will weaken just like a pipe would crack."

Calcification begins to build making the heart work harder to pump the blood. Although the body may be able to tolerate an elevated blood pressure for an extended period of time, eventually the condition can lead to an enlargement of the heart, heart failure, increased risk of stroke, a loss of bone mineral density, sexual dysfunction and mental deterioration.

In most cases, the cause of high blood pressure remains a mystery. This is called "essential hypertension." Genetic factors, lifestyle, age, race, obesity and stress can all lead to increased blood pressure levels.

Secondary hypertension is the result of some other medical condition, which when targeted and treated results in a lowering of the blood pressure.

Some patients suffer from "white coat hypertension." Just going to the doctor's office will cause the blood pressure to rise. These patients are sometimes asked to monitor their blood pressure at home with an approved device and then report those findings to their doctor.

"If blood pressure is elevated in the physician's office, other situations will probably cause a rise as well," said Downey. The home monitoring and continued physician checks will give the doctor a better feel for actual blood pressure levels.

Often the problem comes after a person has been diagnosed with hypertension.

"It's difficult to ask someone to take a pill every day, especially when they feel good," said Downey.

Keeping blood pressure under control is important to overall health. Switching to a low-fat diet and increasing exercise may help lower blood pressure but are not considered a cure-all.

Blood pressure checks are a traditional part of most physician visits. Doctor's offices are equipped with the proper equipment to accurately check blood pressure.

The size of a person determines the size cuff that should be used to get an accurate reading. Self-checks, unless done with a physician-approved monitor, can lead to a false reading.

Blood pressure checks have become a routine part of school and athletic physicals. Many companies include a blood pressure check as part of their pre-employment requirements.