JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
High blood pressure is one of the most common medical conditions in the United States, affecting 60 to 65 million adults - or about one in three adults.
It is the most prevalent diagnosis at the Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Medical Clinic, impacting the lives of patients from young Airmen to retirees.
High blood pressure was a primary or contributing cause of death for an estimated 348,000 Americans in 2008, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
However, many adults are not seeking treatment for the condition, also known as hypertension, which can lead to coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke, kidney failure and other health problems.
"Estimates are that roughly half the U.S. adult population affected by high blood pressure are not being treated for the condition," Capt. Timothy Weigle, 359th Medical Support Squadron Clinic Pharmacy officer in charge, said. "But it's important to treat it because it affects all the major organ systems."
Hypertension is often called the "silent killer" because it usually has no symptoms, Weigle said. There are two types of hypertension - primary, which has no identifiable cause, and secondary, which is identified with kidney disease, thyroid problems, sleep apnea and other conditions.
"Some of the factors associated with primary hypertension are genetics, excessive sodium intake, excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, weight gain and a sedentary lifestyle," he said.
Secondary causes of hypertension are relatively rare, Maj. Darrell Stutts, 359th Medical Group physician assistant, said. However, younger patients with hypertension are more likely to have secondary causes than older patients. Secondary causes include glandular problems and/or anatomic abnormalities.
Blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of arteries; blood pressure numbers, measured in millimeters of mercury, include systolic and diastolic pressures. Systolic pressure, the first number in the measurement, is the pressure when the heart beats while pumping blood; diastolic pressure is the pressure when the heart is at rest between beats.
Normal blood pressure numbers are less than 120/80, while prehypertension numbers range from 120-139/80-89, Weigle said.
"For most people, the target is less than 140/90," he said. "For diabetics, it's 130/80 because of the risk of kidney damage."
Lifestyle changes are one way to control high blood pressure, Weigle said. Diet and exercise, weight loss and reduced sodium and alcohol intake can lower blood pressure.
"A lot of times, that is enough, but not always," he said. "Some people may need medication."
Pharmacologic therapy "can play a crucial role in managing blood pressure and can reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke and kidney disease," Stutts said.
"It is reasonable to give lifestyle changes a try," he said. "However, most people diagnosed with hypertension will ultimately need some degree of pharmacologic therapy for optimal control."
A variety of classes and products can be used to treat high blood pressure, Weigle said.
Ultimately, it's up to the patient to address the problem, he said.
"We encourage people with high blood pressure to see a provider and do the right thing," Weigle said. "It's a treatable condition, but it's up to the patient to take ownership of it. It may not seem like a big deal, but over time it degrades the body."