Abstract This paper evaluates the use of home bloodpressure monitors from a physician's point of view. The author argues that bloodpressure monitors are beneficial in the treatment of high bloodpressure when patients self-monitor their bloodpressure readings at home. The author stresses that the monitor must be approved.
Abstract This paper compares the use of a bloodpressure cuff on the forearm, as opposed to the upper arm, for monitoring bloodpressure. To make the comparison, the paper looks at a medical case where the bloodpressure of a patient had to be obtained on an hourly basis in order to administer her required medication. The paper also reviews current literature about this method of measurement.
From the Paper "A clinical case in which blood pressure was measured by placing the cuff on the forearm is N.L.; a 78-year-old widowed African American female from Memphis, TN. She is disabled and dependent on her two daughters, which she lives with, for most of her activities of daily living. N.L. was admitted to the intensive care unit at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Memphis on July 16, 2005 for hemorrhagic cystitis and respiratory distress. She has no known drug allergies. Past medical history includes congestive heart failure, hypertension, myocardial infarction, diabetes mellitus, right below the knee amputation, morbid obesity, and sleep apnea. She has also had a tracheotomy since 2003 to treat her sleep apnea. N.L. was treated for respiratory distress upon admission by mechanical ventilation with a mode of Assist Control and 40 percent oxygen, which she was weaned from on July 18, 2005. She was also placed on Dobutamine drip, July 17, 2005, at three micrograms per kilogram per minute for management of a secondary diagnosis, congestive heart failure. The administration of this drug requires hourly blood pressure measurements. Blood pressure was measured with the cuff placed on the forearm, because large sized cuffs were too small for her upper arm due to her existing state of morbid obesity. "
Abstract This paper analyzes Sandra P. Thomas' 1997 article, "Women's Anger: Relationship of Suppression to BloodPressure" which looks at the effect of anger suppression on bloodpressure in women. The paper shows that the aim of the study in this article was to examine the relationship between anger frequency, intensity and suppression to bloodpressure and to see if there were differences in these parameters between women with respect to age, family history of hypertension and marital status.
From the Paper "While the effect of anger on women's BP is important, there are so many variables involved, both physical and psychological, that a meaningful study is difficult to conduct. Sample chosen, timing of study, method of assessing anger and anger suppression, measurements of BP and their timing, and a host of health and psychological factors come into play and it is impossible to account for all variables (Fontana, Pontari and Nash, 1998, p. 2). The "white coat effect" on BP may come into play in a test setting. Results of these types of studies are difficult to assess accurately, and they can do no more than indicate some potential problem areas."
Abstract An ACE inhibitor works by making blood vessels relax and by preventing a chemical in the blood, angiotensin I, from being converted into a substance that increases salt and water retention in the body. This paper describes a particular ACE inhibitor, Diovan. Diovan restricts the nutrients of salt and water, preventing retention in the heart. Diovan has also been shown to decrease the likelihood of malignant ventricular arrhythmias. The paper discusses the use of Diovan in post-myocardial infarction. Side effects are noted and recommendations are listed for patients taking this medication.
From the Paper "A Medline search for all randomized trials of ACE inhibitor use in post-myocardial infarction for January 1978 through August 1997 was conducted for meta-analysis. Inclusion criteria consisted of randomized comparisons of ACE inhibitor and placebo treatment of acute MIs within 14 days after the event, studies that were conducted for a period of six weeks or longer with a blinded follow-up of six weeks or longer, and studies that reported the total, cardiovascular and sudden cardiac death mortalities."
Tags: heart, salt, blood-pressure, artery, research
Abstract Research demonstrates that sodium produces a significant effect on bloodpressure, and that reducing sodium intake results in a reduction of systolic bloodpressure. The paper discusses how sodium is one of a number of risk factors for hypertension and how reducing sodium has been found to substantially reduce high bloodpressure.
Abstract This paper discusses the drug, Diovan, and explains how it works in reducing high bloodpressure. The paper describes the biological process of salt and water retention, which leads to high bloodpressure, and explains how this drug aids in restricting the nutrients of salt and water, thereby, preventing retention in the heart. The writer emphasizes the need for constant medical supervision and for awareness of the various possible side-effects.
From the Paper "Diovan is an ACE inhibitor. ACE inhibitors are used in the treatment of high blood pressure. They may be used alone or in combination with other medicines for high blood pressure. They work by preventing a chemical in the blood, angiotensin I, from being converted into a substance that increases salt and water retention in the body. Increased salt and water retention lead to high blood pressure. ACE inhibitors also make blood vessels relax, which helps lower blood pressure and allows more oxygen-rich blood to reach the heart (Muller 242). Treating high blood pressure is important because the condition puts a burden on the heart and the arteries, which can lead to permanent damage over time. "
Abstract This paper presents information about how sodium in the diet can affect a person's bloodpressure. The paper provides information that would be particularly useful to patients who suffer from high bloodpressure and then discusses specific foods to be aware of and how to reduce sodium in a regular diet. It also looks briefly at the recommended daily allowance for sodium.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
What Is a Low-Sodium Diet?
Steps to Reduce Sodium in the Diet
Recommended Daily Allowance for Low-Sodium Diet
Foods Low in Sodium
Potassium: A Good Salt Substitute
Conclusion
From the Paper "As a comparison, using fresh rather than canned food can have a dramatic effect on sodium intake. Fresh tomatoes have only about 10mg of sodium apiece, whereas one half cup of canned tomatoes can have as much as 370 mg.
"It is also helpful to go through the sodium content of fast foods with the patient, in order to educate them on the high amount of salt that these restaurants put in their dishes. Anne Collins estimates that a chicken filet sandwich has nearly 1,000 mg. of sodium. Those on a low-salt diet would therefore use up their entire salt 'budget' on one item of food!"
Abstract This paper outlines the symptoms of diabetic nephropathy and its treatments. The paper explains that the way to prevent kidney disease is by ensuring that the patient controls blood glucose levels, maintains a healthy lifestyle, and observes the practices necessary to regulate bloodpressure and hypertension. The paper opines that physicians who are capable and willing to assist their diabetic patients in following the guidelines in this paper will likely see less presenting of all diseases, including nephropathy.
From the Paper "Diabetic nephropathy presents itself in individuals with diabetes but it is closely related to nephrolithiasis which is a common condition that affects "nearly five percent of U.S. men and women during their lifetimes" FN1. Nephrolithiasis includes a number of different nephropathy diseases. "Nephrolithiasis specifically refers to calculi in the kidneys (including) both renal calculi ureteral calculi (ureterolithiasis)" FN2 Ureteral calculi almost always originate in the kidneys, although they may continue to grow once they lodge in the ureter. Nephrolithiasis is commonly referred to as kidney stones, but other problems can occur pertaining to the kidney including two of the most prevalent conditions related to nephrolithiasis, which are IgA nephropathy and diabetic nephropathy."
Abstract This paper looks at the different types of blood vessels and relates their structure to their function. The paper defines bloodpressure and looks at blood flow dynamics and the function of capillaries.
From the Paper "Capillaries are the smallest and most numerous of the blood vessels and connect the arterioles, which carry blood away from the heart, with the venules, which carry it back towards the heart. They are a continuation of the smallest arterioles but the walls of capillaries consist of only a single layer of endothelial cells overlying a basement membrane. This thin wall permits the exchange of materials between the blood in the capillary and the tissue cells. This is the primary function of the capillaries, an exchange system..."
Abstract The number of existing cases of high bloodpressure is nearly 40% higher in blacks than in whites and its effects are more frequent and severe in this population. Recent emphasis on racial/ethnic health disparities in the field of public health has led to a call for the development of socio-ecological approaches toward the elimination of cardiovascular disease disparities, however solutions to the problem are typically directed at health behavior change. This paper examines policies addressing hypertension disparities enacted at the federal level during the last five years, provides an overview of the problem definitions and solutions framed to set the agenda for these policies, explores the role of key policy actors in setting the policy agenda for the reduction of hypertension disparities, and makes recommendations for a different problem definition (less individualistic) with plausible solutions.
From the Paper "African Americans are disproportionately burdened with disease morbidity and mortality associated with hypertension.1 The existence of these racial disparities warrants public health policy attention for two reasons: first, the constitution delegates the "responsibility to protect and promote the welfare of the public" to the government (Scutchfield & Keck, 1997) and the existence of these disparities suggests that the welfare of some citizens is not being protected; second, the ethical framework for public policy development, which includes the egalitarian perspective of justice, holds that "everyone should have equal access to both the benefits and burdens arising from the pursuit of health" (Longest 1998); however, current research on disparities highlights inequalities in access to employment, education, housing, and healthcare as underlying reasons for gaps in health status (Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 2000; Ren & Amick, 1996; Kawachi, Kennedy & Wilkinson, 1999)."
Abstract This paper looks at how the administration of thrombolytics is the gold standard for the treatment of acute MI. Nurses involved in the management of patients having thrombolytic therapy must be aware of the indications and contraindications for early thrombolysis and must feel comfortable that the medication is being appropriately administered only after a careful history and physical is obtained. It discusses how there are many conjunctive medications, which will be used to support bloodpressure and ventricular dysfunction in the setting of AMI, and how nurses must be very aware of chest pain diagnosis and management protocols, as well as the possible interactions of medications.
From the Paper "Thrombolysis is considered the gold standard in the management of patients who are found to be truly experiencing acute myocardial infarction. But thrombolysis is a time-limited intervention and the medications are fraught with risks of their own. How can the managing nurse be assured that the medication will be appropriately administered to the patient who has been diagnosed acute myocardial infarction? What kind of management is then required to maintain the patient physiologically? What are the risks and benefits involved? These are all issues to be considered in any nurse who is caring for a patient receiving thrombolytic therapy."
Abstract This paper discusses the widespread cardiovascular condition, hypertension. The paper describes the disease and presents the statistics of the prevalence of hypertension. The symptoms and treatments available are examined in the paper. The paper explores the correlation between high bloodpressure and low socioeconomic status, as well as the connection to other diseases, such as diabetes.
From the Paper "The client with hypertension should be assessed in terms of their history and lifestyle. It must be determined whether this is a new or pre-existing condition for the patient before healthcare professionals can move forward. Assessment is basically done through blood pressure measurement, at which point as mentioned above, if the patient has a higher systolic number than their diastolic number, they have hypertension. "Proper blood pressure measurements are essential for hypertension detection. Repeated blood pressure measurements are needed to determine whether any initial elevations persist and hence require prompt attention, or whether they have returned to normal levels and need only periodic monitoring" (Gatchel and Oordt, 2004). These measurements are fairly easy to take."
Abstract This paper examines the medical condition called HELLP syndrome, which stands for hemolysis elevated liver enzymes and low platelets. Closely related to pre-eclampsia, HELLP is a multi-system disease of pregnancy. The paper explains that women suffering from HELLP -- which occurs in approximately 1-5 percent of all pregnancies -- is associated with symptoms like high bloodpressure, protein in the urine, swelling, sudden weight gain, headaches, vision problem, and increased perinatal and maternal morbidity and mortality. The paper offers a thorough overview of the pathology of HELLP, explores prevention and treatment options, and discusses medical outcomes for pregnant women suffering from the syndrome. The paper also provides some case studies in order to personalize and dramatize its thesis.
From the Paper "Pregnant women with HELLP usually complain of fatigue, general malaise, pain in the upper right part of the abdomen, nausea, vomiting, headaches and water retention with weight gain (Chen 2001). Some have convulsions. The HELLP syndrome's symptoms mimic those of ailments, which make HELLP hard to diagnose. These ailments include the flu, systemic lupus erythemetous or SLE, acute fatty liver of pregnancy AFL, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura or TTP and other collagen vascular diseases."
Abstract This paper takes a look at weight loss surgery focusing primarily on the dangers involved. The paper reviews the risks, the process of the surgery and the possible complications. The paper concludes by supporting the surgery, saying that weight-loss surgeries can not only improve and/or cure obesity-related health issues such as high bloodpressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, and diabetes, but can allow an individual to experience greater self-esteem, improved interpersonal effectiveness, and an enhanced quality of life.
From the Paper "The average adult stomach holds approximately 12 1/2 cups of food and fluid. In the RGB procedure, a small pouch is formed by closing off a large part of the stomach with staples (Fagel 2005). The small intestine is cut below the duodenum, and one open end is brought up and connected to the pouch, thus food and fluids pass from the esophagus into the pouch, then bypass the rest of the stomach and duodenum to flow directly into the small intestine (Fagel 2005). The larger part of the stomach remains intact, thus it continues to secrete digestive fluids which drain into the duodenum. Below the duodenum, where the small intestine has been cut to attach one loop to the pouch, the cut end is surgically reconnected to the small intestine farther down, creating a surgical Y, with one top branch being the esophagus-pouch-intestine loop and the other being the large stomach-duodenum-intestine connection (Fagel 2005). These two parts of the intestine join to form the bottom of the Y, allowing drainage through the rest of the small intestine and into the large intestine (Fagel 2005)."
