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2nd September 2012 #1
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High blood pressure ... and rising !
It’s over a year since I reviewed this topic (http://filipinaroses.com/showthread....blood+pressure ), so what’s new ?
• High blood pressure ( hypertension ) is still the leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease ( heart attacks / failure, and strokes ). Worldwide, it affects about a billion people ( 20% to 50% of adults, depending on nationality and age ) and causes – directly or indirectly - over 7 million deaths / year.
• Although there ARE effective treatments if correctly diagnosed, control rates are below 10% worldwide ( about 90% USA and even higher in Cuba ; 30% England ; less than 20% Philippines ).
• Prevalence ( frequency ) is static in “ developed “ countries – about 30% of adults in England. Almost three-quarters of people with hypertension live in developing countries, where prevalence is increasing – now thought to be about 20% in Philippines.
• Factors which can’t be modified - but increase / are associated with hypertension - include age, genetics, family history, ethnic origin, dark skin colour and low birthweight.
• Environmental / lifestyle factors appear to be more important. These include diet ( especially too much salt ), obesity and lack of exercise, excess alcohol, smoking, stress, and urban living. Nutrition has changed in the past 40 years in countries such as the Philippines, with more processed food and the fast-food industry, and increased calories, salt, sugar and fat. Migration from rural to urban areas is correlated with more hypertension.
• At least two thirds of diabetic patients have hypertension ( several reasons ) ; a small proportion of hypertensives have other treatable causes such as kidney and endocrine diseases.
• It usually has no symptoms, so isn’t diagnosed unless / until blood pressure is measured ( accurately, more than once ). This doesn’t have to be done by a doctor in a clinic – it can be, and increasingly is in countries like UK, measured at home. Relatively few Filipinos are aware of the condition. There need to be national guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of hypertension, using nurses, who are more plentiful, and cheaper, than doctors. Instead of opposing the Reproductive Health Bill, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference should consider supporting blood pressure measurement ( by nurses ) of all adults at the end of church services - thus covering most of the population !
• There are effective drugs for treating hypertension – paid for in the UK by NHS through taxation, and the patients themselves – if they can afford it – in the Philippines ( where the drugs MAY be counterfeit and not quality-controlled, if not actually harmful ).
• Drugs may not be needed if the hypertension is mild and diabetes not present ( or controlled ). Lifestyle changes may be all that is necessary – less alcohol, salt, and tobacco, with loss of weight / increased exercise may be enough, but not easy to achieve.
• This is one more condition which is less likely with a healthy lifestyle, wherever you live.
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2nd September 2012 #2
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Shiftwork?
"Shift workers are slightly more at risk of having a heart attack or stroke than day workers, research suggests.
An analysis of studies involving more than 2m workers in the British Medical Journal said shift work can disrupt the body clock and have an adverse effect on lifestyle.
It has previously been linked to an increased risk of high blood pressure and diabetes.
Limiting night shifts would help workers cope, experts said."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18996082
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2nd September 2012 #3
this effects me, a tablet a day for the rest of my life
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3rd September 2012 #4
Thanks for reminding us on the importance of control Doc
I am on a 10mg tablet of Lisinopril per day, and have reduced my salt intake a lot.
Mick.
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3rd September 2012 #5
Thanks Alan.
What amazes me it the fact that drugs in the Philippines are not controlled or quality tested... you could be taking anything!!!If you want your dreams to come true ...... first you have to wake up
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3rd September 2012 #6
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3rd September 2012 #7
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3rd September 2012 #8
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3rd September 2012 #9
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3rd September 2012 #10
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3rd September 2012 #11
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I'm on 3 tablets per day:-
Amlodipine
Atenolol
Perindopril
Have been taking those since 2003.
I have a review with my doc annually including blood tests too.
Fortunately I don't have to pay
I used to buy a NHS annual card and that saved me quite a few quid.
Probably there are thousand of people walking around out there with high blood pressure and don't even know it.
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3rd September 2012 #12
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3rd September 2012 #13
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3rd September 2012 #14
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/ar...-pressure.html
It lowered mine
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3rd September 2012 #15
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3rd September 2012 #16
It's fine it has some apple juice in it to take the earthy taste away,I just gulp down a smalll glass and its done
I was able to come off my one a day tablet
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3rd September 2012 #17
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Beetroot. Lovely.
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3rd September 2012 #18
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We all have blood pressure, and the decision at what level it might be beneficial to treat is a clinical one, depending on correct diagnosis and general health, for example whether or not diabetes is present. Awareness and then detection are the first problems, greater in the Philippines than UK for a condition usually having no symptoms. Screening should be at least every 5 years.
The alarmingly low control rates even when hypertension is diagnosed result from inadequate treatment. There are several groups of drugs with good evidence to show they work, but they need to be checked for quality. Especially in Africa and Asia, many patients are given counterfeit drugs, which are at the very least less efficient, and may be dangerous. Similarly herbal remedies may delay proper control with serious health consequences.
It’s difficult to know the true extent of counterfeit drug use in the Philippines, as elsewhere. The main ones are anti-hypertensives, but also antibiotics, and “Viagra”-type drugs. There is a Special Law on Counterfeit Drugs ( Republic Act 8203 ) whereby drug outlets could face sanctions including imprisonment – if detected and reported. This is not easy, especially if the internet is the source.
“ Shift workers “ may well suffer increased adverse effects of hypertension, along with other “ lifestyle choices “ such as urbanisation – not necessarily easy to remedy. Reduced salt intake is another “ choice “ not that easy to achieve ( several “ low salt foods “ have had to be removed from supermarket shelves as they don’t sell ). Despite the interest in the Olympic and Paralympic Games, most people don’t exercise enough and there’s an increasing prevalence of obesity in UK, Philippines, and elsewhere.
The right treatment for established hypertension is important, but prevention is even more vital – and has so far not been achieved.
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3rd September 2012 #19
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3rd September 2012 #20
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3rd September 2012 #21
ukba
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3rd September 2012 #22
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3rd September 2012 #23-=rayna.keith=-
...When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible...
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3rd September 2012 #24
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3rd September 2012 #25
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3rd September 2012 #26
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And now I will have to tell my wife to drink less beetroot juice....
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3rd September 2012 #27
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Within the advert for beetroot juice.....
Disclaimers:
Drinking beetroot juice may turn your urine pink
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4th September 2012 #28
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4th September 2012 #29
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4th September 2012 #30
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Several points are raised in response to my review, thank you for your interest !
• For those already diagnosed with hypertension, treatment with drugs which are proven to be reliable is sensible, together with awareness and attempts to lead a healthier lifestyle.
• UKBA – undoubtedly psychological stress, whatever the cause, is a lifestyle factor which contributes to hypertension – I fully understand how difficult it is to reduce.
• Beetroot – the “ Mail Online “ didn’t have space to mention that the studies quoted were on 18 volunteers ( dose of beetroot ) and 14 volunteers ( bread with added beetroot ) – all males with normal blood pressure to start with. The “ Mail “ also didn’t say that the research workers themselves remind us of the benefits to health of eating adequate amounts of fruit and vegetables, one of which is preventing hypertension developing in the first place ( http://journals.cambridge.org/action...07114512000190 ).
• Low blood pressure ( hypotension ) – the most vital “ take home message “ from my thread is that we ALL have blood pressure, and maintaining it at desirable levels for each individual is the key ! 130/80 is desirable for most adults, 140/90 and above may need treatment, and less than 90/60 is “ low “. There is no need – or benefit – to reduce a hypertensive’s blood pressure too far. As with hypertension, there may be no symptoms with hypotension, and generally it’s nothing to worry about, especially in young adults. It’s certainly not an indication to deliberately adopt an unhealthy diet – even adding salt should only be done on medical advice, if there are symptoms or an obvious cause.
• Hypertension is now so common, and increasing – especially in countries like the Philippines – with underdiagnosis, poor or no treatment control, and lethal consequences – that respected medical journals like “ The Lancet “ almost despair of prevention ( http://www.thelancet.com/journals/la...310-5/fulltext ).
• The least members can do is take it seriously, have an accurate blood pressure check, and encourage friends / loved ones in the Philippines to do the same.
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