Guest post by Martina P. Callum, M.D. otherwise known as Doc Callum
Essential Hypertension has no known exact cause and occurs in 95% of the cases diagnosed in the United States. Anyone can get High Blood Pressure but African Americans are at a greater risk. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) high blood pressure among African Americans stands at more than 35% of all African-Americans. It develops earlier and is more severe. It accounts for 20% of African American deaths. That is more than 800,000 people a year! Of those with hypertension there is an 80% chance of dying from stroke, 20% develop heart disease and 4x as many develop hypertension related kidney failure as compared to the general population.
Research has shown that we, African Americans, are extremely salt sensitive. Excessive salt intake increases our chances of developing hypertension. This sensitivity may be the result of us being born with a gene that is sensitive to salt. Other potential risk factors are obesity-being overweight, smoking, lack of exercise, too much alcohol, older age and relatives with hypertension
High Blood Pressure among African Americans can easily become a lifestyle if you do not maintain a healthy weight, eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, eat too much salt or curb habits such as smoking and drinking excessive alcohol.
What You Should Know About High Blood Pressure Among African Americans
Hypertension, Pressure, Essential Hypertension and High Blood Pressure are the same illness. It is also known as “The Silent Killer” because if left undiagnosed and untreated it can kill you. Each patient should know the two basic blood pressure terms which are systolic and diastolic pressure. The systolic pressure is the real pressure of the blood as it moves through the body. The diastolic pressure is the pressure between heartbeats. The systolic number is always given first when giving a blood pressure reading. An example is a reading of 120/80. The 120 is the systolic and the 80 is the diastolic. A normal blood pressure is ALWAYS LESS THAN 120/80. Prehypertension is 120-139/80-89. Hypertension, the disease, has two stages. Stage one is any reading with a systolic pressure of 140-159 and a diastolic pressure of 90-99. Stage two is any reading with a systolic of 160 or higher and a diastolic of 100 or higher. Once your blood pressure reaches 140/90 you have High Blood Pressure.
Many African Americans who are at risk for High Blood Pressure are missing some vital knowledge. They may have chronic headaches, feel tired all the time or there may be no signs or symptoms.
How Can High Blood Pressure Among African Americans Be Treated
Some over the counter medicines such as pseudo-ephedrine and cold preparations can increase the risk of hypertension. You should be aware of the drug interactions and possible hypertensive side effects of your current prescriptions. If you are not sure of the complications, speak with a pharmacist to make sure there are no severe interaction issues.
Hypertension can be treated with medications for everyone but you must take an active role in controlling the risk factors and managing the disease. Lose weight by eating less salt and fewer starchy foods. Stop Smoking. Limit your drinks to 2 per day. Get up and move! You can start by simply walking. Do not let High Blood Pressure be your lifestyle.
Martina P. Callum, M.D. was born in Baltimore, Md. and is a graduate of The George Washington University School of Medicine and Howard University College of Pharmacy. She has 25+ years experience providing direct care to patients and currently practices Emergency Medicine in a small Community Hospital in Southwest Virginia. She is the author of the recently released “Dr. Callum’s Healthy Low Carb Recipes.” Available on Amazon. She has been a contributing writer to community newsletters and can be followed her website www.doccallum.com
Porter Mays says
Does the research that show a high salt sensitivity for African Americans include actual sodium to blood pressure co-relation data? If so, I would like to know where to view it. Also, if I vary my dietary sodium intake at home and measure my blood pressure, should the blood pressure readings change?
Patricia A Patton says
Porter I finally have your answer.
Ok…the exact mechanism linking salt to high blood pressure is unknown…what is known is ingestion large amounts of sodium chloride (salt) and/or the kidneys holding onto to the excess salt sets off a mechanism in the body to expand the the volume of fluid in the body to dilute the salt.. in the process the increased volume causes the blood pressure to increase. African Americans of all ages with or without hypertension in the United States are more salt sensitive than their white counter parts. The salt sensitivity was shown in studies where a dietary design was used..ie the subjects were loaded with excess salt…increased fluid/plasma volume was noted and higher blood pressures were required to remove the excess salt and water from the body. With a salt load Dopamine a hormone in the brain tells the blood vessels to relax and widen and the kidneys to get rid of the salt and water…this hormone increases when we have a salt load but in African Americans the level of dopamine does not increase enough so now they have this extra volume a lot of which can leak in the tissues (swollen feet)..the blood vessels don’t relax and the pressure goes up to force the blood thru the vessels.
To your other part of your question, i.e. “If so, I would like to know where to view it. Also, if I vary my dietary sodium intake at home and measure my blood pressure, should the blood pressure readings change?”
It has been recommended that we ingest no more than 1800 mg-less than one teaspoonful of salt (sodium chloride) daily.
Too much salt is only one factor things like reducing alcohol intake-keep to one drink a day, reducing stress, stop smoking, increasing physical activity..healthy eating, weight loss if needed.