1. Blood Pressure and Hypertension

2. Blood Pressure Your Blood Pressure Reflects: 1)How hard your heart is working 2)The condition of your arteries

3. Cardiac Output x Arterial Resistance Cardiac Output = Amount of blood your heart pumps per minute Arterial Resistance = Pressure the walls of the arteries exert on the flowing blood

4. What regulates your blood pressure? Complex interactions among your central nervous system (CNS), hormones, and substances your blood vessels produce from the endothelium Endothelium = layer of cells lining the inner wall of blood vessels; produce both vasodilators and vasoconstrictors

5. What happens when blood pressure gets too high? Nerve cells in your circulatory system tell your autonomic nervous system (ANS) ANS – manages involuntary activities of smooth muscles, including those in the intestines, sweat glands, airways, heart and blood vessels

6. Autonomic Nervous System The ANS is made of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems The SYMPATHETIC nervous system: -Prepares body for action -Triggers release of neurotransmitters epinephrine and norepinephrine -Raises blood pressure

7. Autonomic Nervous System The ANS is made of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems The PARASYMPATHETIC nervous system helps the body recover from action

8. How is blood pressure measured? Sphygmomanometer – traditional blood pressure measuring device; measures in mm Hg (mercury) Systolic pressure = top #, amount of pressure during the heart’s pumping phase (systole) Diastolic pressure = bottom #, amount of pressure during resting phase between heartbeats (diastole)

9. Classifications of Hypertension ESSENTIAL HYPERTENSION (Primary hypertension) - 90-95% of cases -condition has no identifiable cause

10. Classifications of Hypertension SECONDARY HYPERTENSION – arises from other condition; often treatable Common causes 1)Renal artery stenosis – narrowing of artery that supplies blood to the kidneys 2)Hyperaldosteronism – too much aldosterone, a hormone made by the adrenal glands that regulates potassium and sodium levels

11. Secondary Hypertension 3) Hyperthyroidism – overactive thyroid gland

12. How High is High Blood Pressure? See your handout for information on: -Prehypertension -Stage 1 Hypertension -Stage 2 Hypertension

13. Risk Factors for Hypertension Race Family history Age Sex

14. Risk Factors for Hypertension Cigarette smoking Heavy alcohol consumption Diet (too much salt, saturated fat, and calories; not enough fruits and vegetables) Obesity and overweight Inactivity Stress