illness in the world today. It affects anyone; but its ratio is greater among people of colour. The hidden agenda of hypertension is that symptoms may go unnoticed while it is doing damage to vital organs such as the kidneys, heart and eyes.

Complications of high blood pressure happen when the pressure or force is great enough to cause the blood vessels to dilate and break. Depending on which vessels are affected, the result may be heart disease, stroke, kidney failure or impairment of vision.

A normal blood pressure reading is 120/80. Pressures that are over 140/90 are considered high and a visit with your physician is advised to discuss (1) management and treatment, (2) modification in diet (3) lifestyle.

There are people who are prone to high blood pressure because of hereditary factors (family history of hypertension). Environmental factors, hormone imbalance, kidney disease and stress are other causes of hypertension.

Treatment & Management: High blood pressure can and should be treated. Many people can be helped by lowering or omitting salt from the diet. This results in less water retension and weight loss. The salt shaker can be discarded for herbal seasonings, and low-salt recipes used in cooking.

Foods which are high in potassium such as fresh celery, bananas, prunes, tomatoes and broccoli are beneficial.

A high fibre intake may also help to lower diabolic blood pressure by up to 5 points. Reduction in fat intake, particularly saturated or hard fats is important to reduce blood cholesterol levels.

Lifestyles: Cigarette smoking causes the blood pressure to rise, and damages arteries. It should be stopped completely. Go easy on alcohol, if you must drink limit your intake to one drink a day for women, two for men.

Keeping fit means daily exercise for at least half hour. Exercise that works up a sweat strengthens the heart muscle and also increases metabolism hence the weight loss.

Consult your physician before starting an exercise programme if you are over 40 years or have high blood pressure. Relaxation also breaks the adrenaline cycle. If you find it difficult to relax, try sitting quietly and meditating.

Hypertension can only be diagnosed by repeated measurements of blood pressure.

do not be alarmed if your first two readings are high. Your physician usually takes several readings before making a diagnosis. Also some people who are nervous in the doctor's waiting room may have an elevated pressure. Your doctor will take this into account when making an evaluation.

It is vital to have regular monitoring of people of all ages especially those in the range of 40 onwards.

The Government's three health centres at Hamilton, Somerset and St. George's provide weekly monitoring around the Island.

People with high pressures, need specific treatment with medication, diet and lifestyle changes. Remember, untreated hypertension can be a silent killer.

Mary Turner Community Nurse Health Department HEALTH HTH