High blood pressure

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I know this lady whose had bp like 140-150/ 90 something for like almost 10 yrs w/o any blood pressure meds. She's somewhat obese. I keep trying to tell her to go to the doctor but she has no health insurance. Am I correct in telling her she's heading for heart attack or stroke? Which one? She says she feels fine. Can ppl normally feel fine before they have heart attacks and strokes?

I love when people respond with the "you should know that!" line. Well, the person does NOT know that. Instead of confirming that, do a little education.

So, yes, hypertension increases your risk for a heart attack and/or a stroke. It does not, however, guarantee a heart attack and/or stroke.

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I know this lady whose had bp like 140-150/ 90 something for like almost 10 yrs w/o any blood pressure meds. She's somewhat obese. I keep trying to tell her to go to the doctor but she has no health insurance. Am I correct in telling her she's heading for heart attack or stroke? Which one? She says she feels fine. Can ppl normally feel fine before they have heart attacks and strokes?

140/90 is the lowest numbers to be considered hypertensive.

Too many factors can affect the reading and you don't provide enough information to know if she's at risk.

At 140-150/90 a doc isn't likely to treat her anyway beyond to tell her to watch what she eats and get some exercise. All things she can do on her own if she chooses.

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I love when people respond with the "you should know that!" line. Well, the person does NOT know that. Instead of confirming that, do a little education.

So, yes, hypertension increases your risk for a heart attack and/or a stroke. It does not, however, guarantee a heart attack and/or stroke.

I don't think it's unreasonable to expect people to know how to use google. The answers tot he types of questions this poster tends to ask can be answered very easily with minimal effort.

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Specializes in ..

If she's overweight, perhaps some weight loss would do worlds of good for her hypertension?

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Specializes in OR, ICU, Home Health.

They changed the guidelines and lowered HTN 130/80, so anything above these parameters are considered hypertensive.

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Source? (Just curious, NIH still says consistantly above 139 or 89)

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Specializes in Gyn/STD clinic tech.

yes, mine is hereditary..

i take dyazide.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

American heart association states:

Stage 1 Hypertension is Systolic 140–159or Diastolic 90–99.

PopeJane3rd, How about offering the AHA website info to the lady? This info is written for the general public.

http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=2114

Maybe a little bit of the info will sink in. We can hope, anyway.

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Specializes in Flight, ER, Transport, ICU/Critical Care.

There are LOTS of folks with these conditions that feel JUST FINE until they have that crushing, doom inspired chest pain or that blinding exploding headache.

Silent killers? Killers just the same.

Education, health promotion and disease prevention are things that nurses can do - but, it takes a patient that wants to comply to make any of it work.

At least there are questions being asked and answered - a fine place to start.

Good LUCK!

Practice SAFE!

;)

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If you are a nures you should know this.

Praiser:heartbeat

Nope. I'm not a nurse. As a matter of fact, I have been posting questions on here about my contemplating nursing. I have no nursing degree whatsoever. So you can't assume all on here are nurses.

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I don't think it's unreasonable to expect people to know how to use google. The answers tot he types of questions this poster tends to ask can be answered very easily with minimal effort.

Yes, but one can google all night and day and still not get accurate information. As a matter of fact, there is a ton of health disinformation on the web. This is why some teachers will tell students to be careful of where they get their information. I have come across some good health websites but they require a membership and passkey to log on.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.
Yes, but one can google all night and day and still not get accurate information. As a matter of fact, there is a ton of health disinformation on the web. This is why some teachers will tell students to be careful of where they get their information. I have come across some good health websites but they require a membership and passkey to log on.

I know what you mean. Google is not always helpful when it comes to research based/ current medical information.

I'm glad to hear you are thinking critically about the health information you read. Some college libraries (especially those with health career students) have access to those restricted medical information sites through their computers, and often let visitors use the computers. (The reference librarians will help you). If you don't have access to a college library, try the National Institute of Health's website. http://www.nih.gov. All nurses has links to reference sites too.

Good luck:)

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