DEFENDING AGAINST THE `SILENT KILLER'

May is "National High Blood Pressure Month," a time when health professionals attempt to make the public aware of the importance of the detection and treatment of hypertension.

Hypertension is known as the "silent killer" because it has no overt manifestations that can be easily detected. Some patients do experience headaches, dizziness, fainting and nose bleeds, all of which can be caused by other diseases.

Once a patient learns that he has high blood pressure, it is important to be under a physician's care and keep the disease under control, since high blood pressure can lead to other medical problems such as a major stroke, cardiovascular disease or kidney damage.

"It is important that the patient have his blood pressure checked regularly and maintain a record to share with his physician," explained Linda Heitman, clinical nurse specialist and coordinator of the Regional Heart Center at Southeast Missouri Hospital.

Heitman added that every individual should consult his physician and establish what numbers are normal for him. His medical history, medications and other factors influence these numbers.

In a general range, anything over 140 for the systolic (top number) or over 90 for the diastolic (bottom number) is considered hypertension.

It has always been suggested that hypertension can increase with age in men and women. However, men typically experience high blood pressure at higher rates and at an earlier age than women until after age 60. Based on the 140/90 criterion, almost 50 percent of people over 60 years of age have hypertension.

Heitman said some families have a susceptibility to hypertension. Health professionals today continue to study the genetic influence in families. Among the genetic factors, which cannot be modified, are family history, sex, age and ethnic group.

There are many environmental factors affecting blood pressure that can be modified. Among these are stress, occupation and lifestyle habits such as obesity, nutrition, consumption of alcohol, smoking and physical fitness.

Bill Logan, wellness coordinator at St. Francis Medical Center, said the factor in the diet most affecting blood pressure is sodium. "Everyone is not hypersensitive to sodium," he explained. "About half of the patients who do have high blood pressure are very sensitive to sodium. This is the best place to start."

The average person consumes anywhere from 4,000 to 10,000 milligrams of sodium a day. Consumption should be held to 2,000 milligrams or less. That is approximately the amount of sodium in one teaspoon of salt.

The patient should read labels and see where salt is listed. If the food is a high salt source, substitute another food.

Fresh fruits and vegetables are better for the patient with hypertension than canned foods. Any packaged foods or seasonings should be studied carefully.

For some people, caffeine is also a factor in hypertension.

According to Logan, trimming excess body fat will often moderate blood pressure.

He suggests aerobic exercise, such as a good walking program. Walking 30 to 45 minutes three to five days a week is often beneficial.

"As people get older, their metabolic rate slows," Logan said. "That is one of the reasons it is important that they exercise. Otherwise they will gain weight, which can cause the blood pressure to go up."

Logan and Heitman concur that the hypertensive patient and health care professional must work closely to manage the disease.

"We consider the patient a part of the health care team," Heitman said. "As a part of that team, we as health care professionals have a responsibility to educate the patient about his blood pressure and the rationale behind the treatment. Working together promotes better management and control of the disease."

Free blood pressure checks are offered every Wednesday morning from 7 a.m. until noon at the Heart Institute at St. Francis.

The service is offered by Southeast Hospital Monday through Friday at Southeast Hospital Doctors Park Lab, 37 Doctors Park, and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at Jackson Outreach Services, 2106 E. Jackson Blvd., in Jackson.