Hypertension could be your worst enemy

In my final year of medical school, I completed an advanced clerkship in internal medicine. I worked with a small but dynamic team of residents and, to this day, I consider the chief resident at the time to be one of the smartest doctors that I have ever met. I remember him teaching me that one of the main reasons why people were admitted to the hospital with complications from their illness is that they did not take their 'meds'.

This proved true at that time when I delved into the medical history of my patients, and I believe still holds true today. It is often perceived that hypertension is a disease of older adults; however, although the incidence of this disease increases with age, particularly in women, I have noticed a number of my patients under 40 with this condition.

High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease in women.

Heart disease is, in fact, the leading cause of death in Jamaican and American women. However, hypertension is considered a modifiable risk factor, which means that it is one that women can do something about. I have often heard people say that since they 'feel alright' they assume that everything is normal. Nevertheless, I have noticed elevated blood pressure in many women who have no symptoms. Hypertension is diagnosed if someone has a systolic blood pressure of 140 or greater and/or a diastolic blood pressure of 90 or greater on at least two separate occasions.

Cut salt and exercise

There are a number of lifestyle changes that women can make to improve their blood pressure. These include reducing the salt in their diet to under 2,000mg per day, eating fruits and vegetables and low-fat dairy products and maintaining a healthy weight, or if overweight reducing one's weight.

Women should also limit alcohol to one drink per day and, of course, although I may sound like a broken record, exercise at least 30 minutes per day most days of the week. If a woman employs a combination of these methods, the reduction in blood pressure will be even greater. Even if a woman does not have hypertension these changes can reduce her risk of developing the condition.

If after the lifestyle changes are used a woman's blood pressure is still elevated, she may have to start on antihypertensive medications. However, depending on how high her blood pressure is, her doctor may choose to start her on medications immediately.

If someone is asked if they had the secret to prevent a certain problem, would they use it? The answer would most likely be yes. However, in practice, it is often different. Women, I encourage you to do all you can to reduce your risk of developing hypertension or to control your hypertension, and certainly avoid medications if you can achieve your goals without them. Otherwise, please take your 'meds'.

Dr Monique Rainford is a consulting obstetrician and gynaecologist; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.