Hypertensive Heart Disease; Dealing with Matters of the heart.

Quote of the Month: ” Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.”

-Proverb 4:23

Good day Friends. I hope all is well with you and your family on this beautiful day. Your health is your wealth. Life is synonymous with flow. As a Physician, I continually manage hospitalized patients with many diseases. Such pathological disease states include Diabetes Mellitus, Uncontrolled Hypertension, Cereberal Vascular Accidents(Stroke), Cellulitis, Pneumonia, Acute Urinary Tract infection, Myocardial Infarction(heart attack), Decompensated Congestive Heart Failure, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Asthma Exacerbation, Acute Pulmonary Embolism,etc.

The progression of these disease states, if not properly managed, can slowly cause frequent hospitalizations. There are many causes and effects from uncontrolled hypertension. Poor health can result in decreased quality of life. Poor health rubs the world of good people who suffer premature deaths.

Epigenetics is the study of how genes and lifestyle choices affect gene expression of various diseases. There are good research studies demonstrating the direct correlations between one’s lifestyle and the upregulation of certain diseases. In other words, environmental factors play an important role in gene expression of certain diseases.

Our genetics and lifestyle choices affects the rate and progression of various disease states. Today we will take a deep dive into hypertension and why it matters to one’s long term happiness and wealth. According to Harrison’s Internal Medicine , Hypertension is a one of the leading cause of global burden of disease. Elevated Blood pressure affects more than one billion individuals and cause an estimated 9.4 million deaths per year.

Hypertension is having elevated blood pressure >120/80. Treatment is encouraged when blood pressure is >140/90. Hypertension is caused by increased vascular peripheral resistance due to decreased compliance caused by decreased elasticity of small blood vessels. Hypertension can be classified as either essential primary hypertension, or as secondary etiology from kidney disease.etc.

Hypertension is a gateway disease to other medical illnesses. Overtime, the constant elevated blood pressure causes stress on the vascular wall throughout the body. Symptoms of hypertension may be silent or a person may experience headaches, blurry vision, slurred speech or confusion. Uncontrolled Hypertension can cause end organ damages to the eyes(retinopathy), kidneys(nephropathy), heart attack(myocardial infarction), penile dysfunction (erectile dysfunction) , brain( cerebral vascular accident, or sudden cardiac death. ) You may ask, what can I do today to decrease my risk of hypertension and its complications? Physicians encourage multi-modal approach to blood pressure management.

One can work to control blood pressure by exercising for 150 minutes per week. Concurrently one can also control blood pressure through daily healthy eating life-style habits. Exercise increases blood flow by reducing systemic vascular resistance. According to Harrison Principle of Internal Medicine, “limited evidence suggest vascular compliance and endothelium-dependent vasodilation may be improved by aerobic exercise, weight loss, and anti-hypertensive agents.

Eat fresh food and If possible, avoid processed food. Read the Nutritional Fact section on purchased products to count the sodium content. Processed foods contains elevated Sodium(Na). Ingestion of greater than 6 grams of sodium per day over time results in increased excess fluid retention. Excess fluid retention can result in elevated blood pressure and fluid overload in patients with congestive heart disease and hypertensive heart diseases.

Lifestyle adjustment is vital. When you get a chance, purchase over the counter blood pressure machine available at most pharmacies around the world. Check your blood pressure at home in a comfortable setting and record your results in a log book monthly . Two elevated blood pressure readings over 140/90 implies the urgent need for lifestyle adjustment and a practical plan between a person and his Physician.

It is important to check your blood pressure at home because some individuals experience white coat hypertension at their doctor’s office. White coat hypertension is when a person’s blood pressure is severely higher in the outpatient Doctor’s office but normal when taken at home. Therefore, having the ability to check your blood pressure in two different settings can help differentiate between true hypertension from white coat hypertension.

Here are some tips to live a productive life. Limit oxidative stress by eating healthy foods. Limit environmental stress by meditating, praying, and taking yearly vacations with your family. Limit or avoid alcohol beverages, and stop smoking cigarettes.

Discuss with your Physician about ways to control your blood pressure. Eat healthy choice foods such as apples, berries, nuts, oranges, grapes, pomegranates, beans. They promote longevity by decreasing oxidative stress on the physiological decay of the body.

In conclusion, the healthiest and happiest people living today resides in the Blue Zones of the World. They stay active by moving everyday, eat more plant based diet, form great relationships with others. They manage stress through meditation, and prayer. Therefore, continue to make the necessary adjustments everyday to increase your productivity and efficiency and experience a fulfilling life.

Cheers!

From Dr. Kofi Amo-Mensah.