Audio-visual equipment provided through a grant by Texas Medical Association Foundation

1. Retired Physicians Organization of the Harris County Medical Society Audio-visual equipment provided through a grant by Texas Medical Association Foundation

2. High blood pressure The silent killer

3. SYMPTOMS Almost always NONE Occasionally headaches, dizziness, nosebleeds

4. Check your blood pressure regularly How TO know ?

5. When your heart pumps (systolic) over 135 is highWhen your heart relaxes between beatsover 85 is high What is hypertension ?

6. What causes hypertension ? • Two types • 1. Primary (essential) hypertension • No known cause but high family incidence • Comes on slowly over years

7. Kidney problems • Adrenal gland tumors • Congenital blood vessel problems • Medicines - birth control pills Decongestants cold remedies some prescription drugs • Illegal drugs, cocaine, speed 2. Secondary hypertension

8. What are the risk factors ?

9. AGE Blood pressure increases as we grow older

10. High blood pressure is more common in men than in women Sex

11. Afro-Americans get it younger and more severely than whites Race

12. Strong tendency to run in families Family

13. Being overweight or obese overworks the heart and increases blood pressure Weight

14. Leads to higher heart rates and Increased work for the heart Aerobic exercise conditions your heart Inactivity

15. All tobacco products raise blood pressure Even second hand smoke Nicotine

16. Too much salt is a killer Salt

17. One or two drinks per day max Alcohol

18. Temporarily raises BP stress

19. Diabetes, High cholesterol, Kidney disease, Sleep apnea. Other conditions

20. Heart attack or stroke Aneurysm Heart failure Kidney failure Blood vessels in the eye Metabolic syndrome Memory loss due to damage to arteries in the brain complications

21. Need to check blood pressure regularly Monitor at pharmacy or home BP monitor Physical examination Simple blood tests and urine test diagnosis

22. Almost always successful if: Diet, exercise, weight control Find the right combination of meds for you, takes time and teamwork Many types of medicine, and right combination takes cooperation between you and doctor TREATMENT

23. Take proper care of yourself Prevent complications

25. Diabetes

26. Type 1 Starts early in life Type 2 Develops in adults types

27. (Usually there are no symptoms) Excessive thirst Excessive urination Excessive hunger Weight loss Fatigue Slow healing of sores Infections symptoms

28. Family history Weight Inactivity Age Can occur during pregnancy Race - black, Hispanic, native American Increased Likelihood

29. Heart and blood vessel disease Nerve damage (neuropathy) Kidney damage (nephropathy) Eye damage (retinopathy) Foot damage (gangrene) Skin and mouth damage Osteoporosis Alzheimer’s disease Hearing problems complications

30. Can it be prevented?? Maybe, if..............

31. DIET DIET DIET DIET DIET DIET Prevention of complications

32. Good foods with very little sugar

33. Foods to limit

34. Sugar Sugar Sugar Cookies and candies Ice cream Foods to avoid

35. Aerobic exercise (sustained exercise raising your pulse ) Prevention of complications

36. Pills to increase your own insulin Pills to make you more sensitive to insulin Insulin injections(many types) medications

37. Take care of yourself • Diet • Exercise • Keep track of your blood sugar • Regular doctor visits • Regular testing for complications

38. Between 50,000 & 100,000 die in U.S. hospitals each year as the result of medical errors. How to be taken care of properly

39. Hospitals. • Clinics. • Outpatient Surgery Centers. • Doctors' Offices. • Nursing Homes. • Pharmacies. • Patients' Homes. Medical errors can occur anywhere in the health care system:

40. Medicines. • Surgery. • Diagnosis. • Equipment. • Lab reports. Errors can involve:

41. Who is responsiblefor your well being?

42. YOU ARE!

43. The single most important way you can help to prevent errors is to be an active member of your health care team.

44. Make sure that all of your doctors know about everything you are taking: this includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, and dietary supplements such as vitamins and herbs.

45. Make sure your doctor knows about any allergies and adverse reactions you have had to medicines

46. When your doctor writes you a prescription, make sure you can read it!

47. What is the medicine for? • How am I supposed to take it, and for how long? • What side effects are likely? What do I do if they occur? • Is this medicine safe to take with other medicines or dietary supplements I am taking? • What food, drink, or activities should I avoid while taking this medicine? Ask for information about your medicines

48. Double check again when you get your medicine from the drug store. Make sure that you get a written sheet from the drug store

49. If you have lab work make sure that you are told the results

50. When you go to see your doctor take someone responsible with you. Write down questions you have before you go to the doctor’s office. Take a pen and paper with you to write down what the doctor tells you.