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YOUR HEALTH
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The
The New
New Rules
Rules of of
High
High Blood
Blood Pressure
Pressure
H
H
ypertension is one of the most common health problems
for Americans—according
2016 numbers,
ypertension
is one of the most to common
health nearly
problems
a
third
of
U.S.
adults
have
high
blood
pressure.
What
for Americans—according to 2016 numbers, nearly
is even
worse
is that
only high
about
half pressure.
of those affected
a third
of
U.S.
adults
have
blood
What
actually have the condition controlled. Now these
is even
worse will
is increase
that only as
about
half of those
affected
numbers
the American
College
of
actually
have
the
condition
controlled.
Now
these
Cardiology and the American Heart Association have developed new
numbers
will and
increase
as the
American College
of
blood pressure
targets
treatment
recommendations
for 2017.
Cardiology
Heart
Association
have developed
new
Patients and
are the
now American
considered
to have
Stage I hypertension
at a systolic
blood blood
pressure
targets
and treatment or
recommendations
for 2017.
pressure
of 130-139mmHg
diastolic blood pressure
of 80-
Patients
are now
considered
have than
Stage
hypertension
at a systolic
89mmHg,
which
is a lower to target
the I previous
guidelines.
blood pressure of 130-139mmHg or diastolic blood pressure of 80-
We spoke
with
Susco
MD, the
FACC
of Washington
89mmHg,
which
is a Benjamin
lower target
than
previous
guidelines.
Health System Cardiovascular Care about how the changes in the
hypertension
guidelines
will affect
general
population. He also
We spoke
with Benjamin
Susco
MD, the
FACC
of Washington
shared
some
of his recommendations
for how
preventing
and lowering
Health
System
Cardiovascular
Care about
the changes
in the high
blood pressure.
hypertension
guidelines will affect the general population. He also
shared
some of his recommendations for preventing and lowering high
“Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, can be described
blood as pressure.
the pressure of blood being pumped through your arteries that is
higher than it should be,” notes Dr. Susco. High blood pressure is
“Hypertension,
known
as high blood
pressure,
can
be described
dangerous also
because
it increases
your risk
for several
dangerous
health
as the issues.
pressure
blood
being pumped
through factor
your of
arteries
High of blood
pressure
is a contributing
70% of that
first is
higher heart
than attacks
it should
Susco. Seventy
High blood
pressure
is who
and be,”
80% notes
of first Dr.
strokes.
percent
of people
dangerous
because with
it increases
your failure
risk for
several
dangerous
health
are diagnosed
chronic heart
have
high blood
pressure
and
issues.
High disease
blood pressure
is a contributing
of 70%
of first
kidney
is also a major
risk factor for factor
high blood
pressure.
heart attacks and 80% of first strokes. Seventy percent of people who
“Some risk with
factors
for developing
hypertension
are diagnosed
chronic
heart failure
have high include
blood obesity,
pressure aging,
and
diabetes,
caffeine
a sedentary
lifestyle,
kidney
disease tobacco
is also a abuse,
major heavy
risk factor
for usage,
high blood
pressure.
emotional stress and a poor diet with high levels of sodium intake,” says
Dr. risk
Susco.
Though
some of these
conditions are
hard obesity,
to control,
you
“Some
factors
for developing
hypertension
include
aging,
can take
steps abuse,
to prevent
high caffeine
blood pressure
stopping smoking,
diabetes,
tobacco
heavy
usage, a by sedentary
lifestyle,
decreasing the amount of salt in your food, lowering your stress and
emotional
stress intake,
and a poor
diet
with
high levels
of sodium
intake,” more
says
your alcohol
and by
living
a healthier
lifestyle
that includes
Dr. Susco.
Though
some
of
these
conditions
are
hard
to
control,
you
exercise.
can take steps to prevent high blood pressure by stopping smoking,
decreasing
the amount
of salt in your
food, lowering
your stress
The changes
in the guidelines
for defining
and diagnosing
high and
your alcohol
intake, and
by encourage
living a healthier
includes
more
blood pressure
aim to
people lifestyle
to take a that
more
active role
in
exercise.
lowering blood pressure earlier on. As more people are diagno sed with
hypertension, healthcare providers will be able to make their patients
more aware
of their
blood pressure
and and
begin diagnosing
lifestyle modifications
The changes
in the
guidelines
for defining
high
on. Dr.
Susco
thinks the people
new rules
to his
blood earlier
pressure
aim
to encourage
to will
take be a beneficial
more active
role in
patients.
“This
change earlier
in classification
is beneficial
because
this starts
lowering
blood
pressure
on. As more
people are
diagnosed
with
by having healthcare
the patient taken
active
role
changing
their their
lifestyles,
before
hypertension,
providers
will
be in able
to make
patients
therapy
is needed.”
more medical
aware of
their blood
pressure and begin lifestyle modifications
earlier on. Dr. Susco thinks the new rules will be beneficial to his
“A patient
should consider
seeing a is
physician
if they
have elevated
patients.
“This change
in classification
beneficial
because
this starts
by having the patient taken active role in changing their lifestyles, before
medical therapy is needed.”
“A patient should consider seeing a physician if they have elevated
blood pressure. By the new ACC/AHA 2017 guidelines, elevated
systolic
blood pressure
considered
120-129mmHg.
Hypertension
blood pressure.
By the is new
ACC/AHA
2017 guidelines,
elevated
is
now
diagnosed
when
systolic
blood
pressure
is
greater
systolic blood pressure is considered 120-129mmHg. than
Hypertension
130mmHg,”
he says.
These
organizations
recommend
lifestyle than
changes
is now diagnosed
when
systolic
blood pressure
is greater
and reassessment of blood pressure in 3-6 months after the initial
130mmHg,”
he
says.
These
organizations
recommend
lifestyle
changes
diagnosis.
and reassessment of blood pressure in 3-6 months after the initial
diagnosis.
For
most patients, the first line of treatment is to employ the lifestyle
changes mentioned before. Most doctors will recommend a low sodium
For such
most as
patients,
the diet,
first which
line of is treatment
is to
employ the
diet
the DASH
rich in fruits,
vegetables
and lifestyle
changes
mentioned
before.
Most
doctors
will recommend
a low sodium
grains.
Increasing
physical
activity
and
decreasing
alcohol consumption
are
recommendations
well. is rich in fruits, vegetables and
diet healthy
such as
the DASH diet, as
which
grains. Increasing physical activity and decreasing alcohol consumption
Of
is the case with many
life-threatening conditions,
are course,
healthy as recommendations
as well.
medication may be necessary. Your doctor may prescribe medication
if Of
attempts
blood with
pressure
Many health professionals
course, at as lowering
is the case
many fail.
life-threatening
conditions,
are
hopeful that
changing
the guidelines
for may
hypertension
diagnosis,
medication
may by be
necessary.
Your doctor
prescribe
medication
earlier
intervention
may
reduce
the
need
for
eventual
medication.
if attempts at lowering blood pressure fail. Many health professionals
hopeful
that by about
changing
the guidelines
diagnosis,
If are
you’re
concerned
your blood
pressure, for
you hypertension
can speak with
your
earlier intervention
may
reduce
the need
for eventual
medication.
Primary
Care Provider
(PCP)
or make
an appointment
with
a WHS
Cardiologist. They see patients in four convenient locations, details
If you’re concerned about your blood pressure, you can speak with your
below.
Primary Care Provider (PCP) or make an appointment with a WHS
Cardiologist.
They see patients in four convenient locations, details
Additional
Source:
below.
https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/facts.htm
Written by Emily King
Additional Source:
https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/facts.htm
Written by Emily King
If you need more information or would like to make
an appointment, please call (724) 225-6500.
If you need more information or would like to make
WHS Cardiovascular Care
an appointment, please call (724) 225-6500.
Washington ...............125 N. Franklin Drive, Suite. 1
Cecil .........................................3415 Millers Run Road
McMurray ......................1001 Waterdam Plaza Drive
WHS Cardiovascular
Waynesburg
..............350 Care
Bonar Avenue, 3rd Floor
Washington ...............125 N. Franklin Drive, Suite. 1
Cecil .........................................3415 Millers Run Road
McMurray
......................1001
(724)
225-6500
whs.org Waterdam Plaza Drive
Waynesburg ..............350 Bonar Avenue, 3rd Floor
Benjamin Susco, MD
(724) 225-6500 whs.org
PETERS TOWNSHIP
❘
Benjamin Susco, MD
APRIL/MAY 2018 71