Patient/caregiver was educated on signs and symptoms of hypertension as follows:
People with mild to moderate hypertension can be asymptomatic for the most part and not present with any findings. So, hypertension is considered a silent killer.
Individuals with extremely elevated blood pressures can present with signs and symptoms as follows:
- Irregular heartbeat
- Compromised blood supply to heart muscle can result in palpitations and irregular heartbeat.
- Dyspnea
- Compromised blood supply to heart muscle can result in progressive deterioration of heart muscle function.
- Ineffective contractions of the heart can result in diminishing blood supply to vital organs in the body, such as, lungs and brain.
- Reduced oxygenated blood supply to lungs can result in poor exchange of gases, dyspnea, and exacerbation of SOB.
- In severe cases, progressively compromised heart muscle function can even result in heart failure, with associated symptoms of fluid retention and edema.
- Compromised renal function
- Progressive damage to blood vessels in the kidney, due to chronic elevated blood pressure, can result in weakening and narrowing of these blood vessels. Individuals can present with blood in the urine and compromised blood supply to the renal tissue, thus affecting the renal functions.
- Reduced blood supply to the kidneys can result in deterioration of renal function, diminished urine output, increased fluid and waste retention, and in severe cases, even renal failure.
