How high blood pressure is killing America

Authors

Christy McGorman, University of LynchburgFollow

Specialty

Emergency Medicine

Advisor

Dr. Tom Colletti

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to explain why so many Americans suffer from high blood pressure, the effects of the high blood pressure epidemic, and how to effectively prevent, identify, and treat the various types and causes of high blood pressure.

Method: Research was conducted, and data was obtained by using peer-reviewed literature, articles, journals, clinical reviews, CME and search engines such as PubMed, JAAPA, CDC, NCBI and more.

Results: There’s a wealth of information easily accessible via public health on hypertension, but local CDC data suggest that despite resources, the hypertension epidemic is getting “worse”.

Limitations: This study is a brief overview of several articles, data, journals, case studies and clinical reviews that may contain biases depending on their source. A comprehensive dissection of hypertension is unable to be thoroughly conducted due to the time constraint given for this assignment and the complex subject matter.

Conclusion: Recent CDC data reveals that the hypertension epidemic is reaching systemic proportions, and something must be done to reverse this trend.¹ Hypertension has various causes, including those caused by racial disparities, social and environmental factors such as poor diet, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Identification, education, and prevention of hypertension is the most effective solution.¹ Patients should be aware of the wide-ranging negative impacts hypertension may have on them, and implement beneficial lifestyle interventions to learn about it, prevent it, and treat it.

Keywords: Hypertension, High Blood Pressure, Screening, Leading Causes of Death

Key Points:

1. Educate the audience on increasing incidents of hypertension in the United States.
2. Educate the audience on how deadly hypertension is, and the different ways it kills.
3. Educate the audience on how PAs across all disciplines can contribute to reversing the epidemic’s course by prevention, early intervention, treatment, and referral.
4. Educate the audience on basic medications available to treat hypertension.
5. Educate the audience on the impact of lifestyle choices like poor diet, smoking, and alcohol consumption on incidents of hypertension and results of treatment for those with hypertension.

Recommended Citation

McGorman C. How high blood pressure is killing America. University of Lynchburg DMSc Doctoral Project Assignment Repository. 2023; 5(1).