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Hypertension in the United States

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Hypertension in the United States

Prominent Aspects of Hypertension

Hypertension is characterized by a continuous rise in the force of blood against the

arterial walls, generally above a systolic/diastolic ratio of 130/80 mmHg. This is a common

cause of heart disorders, stroke, renal failure, and many other related problems. “Having high

blood pressure puts you at risk for heart disease and stroke, which are leading causes of death in

the United States.” (CDC, 2024). It is primary if the cause is unknown or has no apparent cause

or secondary if it appears to cause another condition, such as kidney disease or an endocrine

disorder. Hypertension can develop with no apparent signs for years. Some causes include

obesity, weak physical activity, high salt-content diets, and heredity factors.

Current Data and Statistics

Past research has shown that there is a significant prevalence of hypertension in the

United States. "Approximately 120 million adults in the US (48.1%) have hypertension; of those,

92.9 million (77.4%) have uncontrolled hypertension, with disparities in hypertension prevalence

and control by sex, age group, and race and ethnicity.” (Richardson et al., 2024). This has been

said to correlate with significant healthcare spending. As such, considerable attention has been

channeled towards ensuring gradual attempts to manage the condition effectively. The various

input elements, including the Health People 2030 objectives, reflect this. The objectives

emphasize crucial elements, including better blood pressure control in adults, reduction of adults

with high blood pressure, and improving cardiovascular health (Office of Disease Prevention and

Health Promotion, 2024).

The Determinants of Health Disparities for Hypertension

Hypertension is found to be a disease that affects Blacks most especially in the United

States; they are found to develop hypertension early, more severely as compared to other people

from other races and ethnicities. Some of these playing roles include genetics, reduced healthcare

access, and some type of diet determined by cultural and economic practices. Poor populations

struggle with using medicines, quality food, and health-related self-practices. Resolutions must

thus focus on elements such as effectively managing prevailing inequalities.

Prevention Strategies Including Complementary and Alternative Health Therapies

In the prevention of hypertension, emphasis is placed on lifestyle changes. Strategies to

prevent this include diets such as the DASH diet, which has been termed as being essential for

hypertension patients (Onwuzo et al., 2023). Other behaviors that contribute are exercising,

attaining and or maintaining a proper weight, quitting smoking, and moderating the consumption

of alcohol. Complementary alternative medicine approaches consist of yoga, meditation,

acupuncture, and natural products, including garlic and hibiscus, that have been found to be

instrumental in managing blood pressure. Nonetheless, these therapies should complement

traditional therapies and be administered under a doctor's instruction.

Contemporary Research and Clinical Studies

Current publications focus on discovering new therapeutic strategies and genetic-

environmental interactions in the pathophysiology of hypertension. Genome-wide association

studies (GWAS) have brought up concepts of the relevant genetic markers that allow an

individualized approach to hypertension. The clinical trials involve novel treatments such as

renal denervation and baroreceptor activation devices for resistant hypertension (Cluett et al.,

2024). Glucose regulation of gut microbiota is also connected to blood pressure, which may

present additional roles of probiotics and others. Technology has also been at the center of
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revolutionizing how hypertension is managed. This has been in the context of wearable

technologies and telemedicine.

Pathophysiologic Effects of Stress on Hypertension

Stress is an essential cause of hypertension based on different pathophysiologic

processes. Whereas chronic stress engages the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and

the sympathetic nervous system, cortisol, and catecholamines such as adrenaline and

noradrenaline are released. Eventually, stress chronically activates for a long time and alters the

state of endothelial changes in blood vessels, leading to increased stiffness and narrowing,

potentiating hypertension. Also, it has been noted that an increase in Ang II levels due to

increments in stress can result in vasoconstriction (Marwaha, 2022). Stress can also exacerbate

hypertension through its ability to encourage behaviors that are unhealthy, including excessive

eating, lack of exercise, smoking, and alcoholism.

Evidence-Based Stress Management Interventions

Stress management interventions can be instrumental in the prevention and treatment of

hypertension. One of the practices applied is the Mindfulness Stress Reduction (MBSR)

approach, such as meditation and yoga, which reduces relaxation and the sympathetic nervous

system, thereby reducing high blood pressure. MBSR has been correlated with multiple benefits,

including managing various conditions, including hypertension (Niazi & Niazi, 2011).

Cognitive-based therapy has also been termed as having the potential to actualize positive

outcomes. CBT enables a person to change thought patterns that trigger stress, thus enabling a

client to develop better ways of managing emotions. The other demonstrated intervention that

manages stress levels and promotes cardiovascular fitness is aerobic movement workouts,
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including brisk walking. Combining these tactics with conventional treatments provides

significant benefits – reduction of blood pressure and enhanced quality of life.

Conclusion

In conclusion, hypertension is still a significant public health issue affecting millions of

Americans and majorly contributing to the burden of disease, death, and cost in the country.

However, the condition is not infectious, and since most patients do not experience any

symptoms, they can degenerate if not treated. Working with clients who have hypertension

involves treatment prevention approaches, complementary therapies, and fair access to

healthcare. Stress affects every organ in the body. By understanding these pathophysiologic

effects of stress and properly using well-researched stress management interventions, we can add

to the prevention and management of hypertension.

References

CDC. (2024). High blood pressure facts. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

https://www.cdc.gov/high-blood-pressure/data-research/facts-stats/index.html

Cluett, J. L., Blazek, O., Brown, A. L., East, C., Ferdinand, K. C., Fisher, N. D. L., Ford, C. D.,

Griffin, K. A., Mena-Hurtado, C. I., Sarathy, H., Vongpatanasin, W., & Townsend, R. R.

(2024). Renal denervation for the treatment of hypertension: A scientific statement from

the American Heart Association. Hypertension, 81(10).

https://doi.org/10.1161/hyp.0000000000000240

Marwaha, K. (2022). Examining the role of psychosocial stressors in hypertension. Journal of

Preventive Medicine and Public Health, 55(6), 499–505.

https://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.21.266

Niazi, A., & Niazi, S. (2011). Mindfulness-based stress reduction: A non-pharmacological

approach for chronic illnesses. North American Journal of Medical Sciences, 3(1).

https://doi.org/10.4297/najms.2011.320

Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. (2024). Hypertension. Search Healthy

People - Healthy People 2030. https://odphp.health.gov/healthypeople/search?

query=hypertension&f%5B0%5D=content_type%3Ahealthy_people_objective

Onwuzo, C., Olukorode, J. o, Omokore, O. A., Odunaike, O. S., Omiko, R., Osaghae, O. w,

Sange, W., Orimoloye, D. A., Kristilere, H. O., Addeh, E., Onwuzo, S., & Omoragbon, L.

(2023). Dash diet: A review of its scientifically proven hypertension reduction and health

benefits. Cureus. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.44692

Richardson, L. C., Vaughan, A. S., Wright, J. S., & Coronado, F. (2024). Examining the

hypertension control cascade in adults with uncontrolled hypertension in the US. JAMA

Network Open, 7(9). https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.31997