Question

Select 1 Chronic Disease and comment on your risk factors. Make sure to include dietary and non-dietary risk factors. Make sure to also include how you can change your diet and lifestyle to lower your risk. Be specific with your recommendations for improvement. If you are not at risk for any health issue, comment on why.

Answer 1

​​​​Hypertension

Hypertension is a chronic condition in which the systemic blood pressure is higher than the normal value. It is of concern because of its role in causation of coronary heart disease,stroke and other vascular diseases.

Normal blood pressure is

Systolic <120 mm Hg and diastolic <80 mmHg. Blood pressure greater than 130/85 mmHg is considered as Hyper tension.

Risk factors-

Dietary -

1. Obesity. It increases risk of developing disease.

2. Salt intake- high sodium intake has been found to increase blood pressure.

3. Saturated fat- it also increase BP.

4. Alcohol- alcohol consumption increases systolic BP .

Non dietary

1. Age - People of higher age group are more at risk.

2. Physical inactivity.

3. Environmental stress.

4. Heart rate

Prevention-

Dietary changes are of paramount importance. This includes-

1. Reduction of salt intake.

2. Moderate fat intake

3. Avoid alcohol intake

4. Restriction of enegy intake appropriate to body needs.

Lifestyle changes include-

1. Weight reduction

2. Exercise promotion

3. Behavioural changes- reduction in stress.

4 Health education.

5. Self care.