CYRUS YOU ALRIGHT?

Called the silent killer; hypertension has struck down large number of people over the years. The worse thing is that we let it go unchecked and undetected for year and the next thing we know…its Hydrochlorothiazide and Lisinopril for us. Sound like I know what I’m talking about? Let me help you understand then. Before I took this course, I was on a crash course to doom, and didn’t even know. The worst part is I felt like I was doing fine. I stuffed supplements down my gullet and eat everything in sight, then in August of 2006; I was getting in my last airborne mission before deployment and broke my right leg on a jump. I broke the tibia and the fibula, as well as doing a syndmosis tear of the ligament around the ankle. Talk about bad!! As I sat on my rump for 6 months and still deploying, did some half cocked workouts, my blood pressure unbeknownst to me had gotten worse. It was in August of 2008 that I had my blood pressure recorded at 160/100!!! I was horrified, and began an unbelievable workout regiment, but I still ended up on medication. I hope someone takes this to heart. I know this introduction was long, but this subject is very near and dear to me as it should be to all of us. By the way I went from 248lbs to 210 and I am still going, thank God!!




Cyrus is a 52 year old male, who has come to us for advice. Our concerns are about his blood pressure which reads 180 mm Hg systolic over 120 mm Hg diastolic. Cyrus definitely has hypertension and the first thing we need to do is get Cyrus to consult with a physician immediately. There are certain points when a potential client’s overall health and well being must be taken into the consideration of a health care provider. Hypertension is a very serious medical condition that will require our potential client to consult with an Internal Medicine Health Care Provider, where he can get the right classes. Although we may be able to offer some education, he will need the five day blood pressure check. The five days check up may result in Cyrus have to take medication. These are decisions that cannot and should not be made by us. Cyrus faces the possibility of a stroke, heart attack, aneurysm, and renal failure. Hypertension with type 2 Diabetes will result in further treatment. If not controlled this individual’s life expectancy will be shortened. There is no one identifiable cause for Hypertension, but age, genetics, obesity, insulin resistance, sodium sensitivity and a few more to name does contribute to Hypertension (Anon, 2006. ("Complications of Hypertension" Retrieved from the worldwide web on 5/28/08). This is very bad news for Cyrus, but there is good news. We know that with proper exercise and good dieting, we can help to lower his blood pressure to a safe level. Here is one program that has been doing wonders for prevention of hypertension; the DASH diet. The DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) is a step by step program designed for people with hypertension to get it under control, rich in fruits and vegetables; the DASH diet is enjoying a good success rate as of date. The DASH eating plan has been proven to lower blood pressure in just 14 days. Best response came in people whose blood pressure was only moderately high, including those with pre hypertension. For people with more severe hypertension, who may not be able to eliminate medication, the DASH diet can help improve response to medication, and help lower blood pressure (Champagne, C.M. (Dietary Interventions on Blood Pressure: The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Trial Nutrition Reviews, 64(2:2), S53-57s). Aerobic exercise, such as walking is great way to get you back on the path to healthy living. Remember; don't try to conquer the world the first time out. Be patient, start slowly and gradually increase frequency and duration. During the planning phase carefully consider what barriers might stand in the way of consistency; then develop strategies and accountabilities to assist in eliminating these barriers. You’ll want to start off with exercises such endurance activities such as walking, swimming; cycling and low-impact aerobics should be the core of the exercise program. Exercises that include an intense isometric component that can cause extreme and adverse fluctuations in blood pressure should be avoided. Overall we want to wish Cyrus all the blessings and when his physician gives him the go ahead, and let him know we are here and ready to help out in anyway possible.
References:
Azadbakht, L., Mirmiran, P., Esmaillzadeh, A., Azisi, T., & Azisi, F. (Beneficial Effects of a Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension Eating Plan on Features of the Metabolic Syndrome. Diabetes Care, 28(12), 2823-32.)
Elmer, P.J., Obarzanek, E., Vollmer, W.M., and Simons-Morton, D (Effects of Comprehensive Lifestyle Modification on Diet, Weight, Physical Fitness, and Blood Pressure Control: 18-Month Results of a Randomized Trial. Annals of Internal Medicine, 144(7), 485-496.)
Schulze, M.B., Hoffman, K., Kroke, A., & Boeing, H. (Risk of Hypertension among Women in the EPIC-Potsdam Study: Comparison of Relative Risk Estimates for Exploratory and Hypothesis Oriented Dietary Patterns. American Journal of Epidemiology, 158(4), 365-373)
Meenu Mirilles PA-C (Controlling Hypertension)
Major Wendy Gray FNP US ARMY (The Healthy Soldier)
Curtis Aberle FNP (Diet, Hypertension, and Weight Management)
John Cadrain PA-C (Cardiovascular Health and Aging)
Rebecca K. McArthur FNP (Lowering Your High Blood Pressure)
The American Heart Association
The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans
(Note: some of the references and citations are taken from courses given at Fort Sam Houston for work reference)