Essay HTN DM

Submitted By Stacy-Prouty
Words: 1575
Pages: 7

I want to explain what you are going to experience now that you have been diagnosed with hypertension at the age of 63. I will educate you on what hypertension is and how this may affect your life. We will discuss a few ways to better yourself and hope to naturally decrease your blood pressure. By the end of this, you will know the risks associated with hypertension and ways to improve your lifestyle.
Do you know what blood pressure is? Blood pressure is a measurement of the force of blood against arterial walls when the heart pumps. What is hypertension? Hypertension is when your blood pressure is of 140/90 or above. The normal level for blood pressure is below 120/80. 120 represents the systolic measurement, which is the peak pressure in the arteries. 80 represents the diastolic measurement, which is the minimum pressure in the arteries. Blood pressure between 120/80 and 139/89 is called prehypertension which means you are at a greater risk of hypertension. When your blood pressure is 140/90 or above, you have hypertension.
There are internal and external stimuli that cause your blood pressure to rise. Many things in your daily life can contribute to this such as stress, your medication, weight, diet, and smoking. Our bodies have a feedback system that helps maintain regularity called homeostasis. Sometimes our homeostasis cannot be maintained due to stimulus disrupting it. When this happens there are receptors that send nerve impulses, or messages, to your brain. Then your brain sends messages to your heart and blood vessels that decreases the heart rate and eventually decrease your blood pressure. This is called a negative feedback.
Our bodies have what is called a cardiovascular system which consists of your heart and blood vessels. When you have high blood pressure, hypertension, this can cause many things to happen to your body. Over a long period of time the high blood pressure has an effect on your vision, kidneys, brain and your aorta. This can cause you to have a stroke or heart attack.
There are a few things to try before you begin a medication regimen to attempt to control your hypertension. I would suggest to focus on your salt intake. Try to decrease this dramatically or completely cut salt out of your diet. Try to eat a well-balanced meal three times a day. Make sure to consume at least 64oz of water each day. Some studies suggest to lower your caffeine intake as well but it is not a proven fact that it affects your blood pressure.
Exercise plays a big role in maintaining a healthy blood pressure. Regular physical activity, thirty minutes a day can lower your blood pressure significantly. It is very important to keep an exercise regimen because if you stop, your blood pressure can go back up. Regular physical activity can bring your blood pressure down to safer levels. The best types of exercise for lowering blood pressure include walking, jogging, cycling, swimming or dancing. Talk to your doctor about developing an exercise program. You may also want to speak with a dietician to decide a diet plan that will help you to control your hypertension.
You need to focus on a healthier lifestyle now that you are diagnosed with hypertension. You need to not smoke and decrease your alcohol consumption. Try to decrease your stress in your everyday life. Finally, you need to learn how to monitor your blood pressure at home so you have a better understanding of hypertension. You can buy a blood pressure machine at your local pharmacy or grocery store. Read the instructions or ask your pharmacist on how to properly test your blood pressure.

Diabetes is a very serious disease that affects the endocrine system in our bodies, specifically our pancreas. There are two types of diabetes, Type 1 and Type 2. You will learn about these two types and which one you are diagnosed with. I will also educate you on how to live with this manageable disease. By the end of this assignment you will understand how this disease