V08-N04 - Vascular Disease Foundation

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About... Hypertension H ypertension is high blood pressure. Blood pressure is the force of blood as it pushes against the artery walls, which comes from the pressure the heart puts on the blood as it pushes it throughout the body. Hypertension is dangerous because it increases the work of the heart and may cause the development of heart failure. It is estimated that one third of the world's population has hypertension and that one quarter of the U.S. population has prehypertension and another quarter has actual hypertension. No one knows exactly what causes hypertension. However, there are several things which contribute to the development of high blood pressure. These may include: smoking, obesity, heredity, sedentary lifestyle, too much sodium (salt) in the diet, too much alcohol, age, ethnicity (African Americans are more likely to have hypertension), kidney disease, adrenal and thyroid problems. Hypertension often causes no symptoms. That is why it is known as the “silent killer.” One third of people with hypertension don't know they have it. You should check your blood pressure periodically to see what the reading is. If your blood pressure is extremely high, it may cause chest pain, vision problems, severe headaches, shortness of breath, and irregular heartbeat. Normal blood pressure is below 120/80. Prehypertension is 120-139/80-89. This condition should be followed very carefully by your health-care provider. Stage 1 hypertension is 140- 159/90-99 and stage 2 is greater than160/100. Hypertension is treated by making changes in lifestyle such as smoking cessation, decreased alcohol intake, weight loss, and exercise, under the direction of your health-care provider. Further treatment may include the DASH diet (www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/hbp/dash/new_dash.pdf ) and drug therapy. If hypertension is not treated, it can lead to stroke, heart failure, heart attack, kidney failure, and vision problems. You should follow the advice of your health-care provider and seek to maintain a normal blood pressure under his/her guidance. Feeding the Homeless in Denver CO After VDF cancelled the Focus on Vascular Disease conference scheduled to be held in August in Denver, the Four Points Hotel generously worked with VDF to offset its commitment to the hotel by providing 150 boxed lunches for the Denver Rescue Mission to feed the homeless in Denver, CO. Photo: Volunteers from the Denver Rescue Mission accept a generous donation from the Vascular Disease Foundation’s Executive Director, Sheryl Benjamin (pictured far right). 12 Vascular Disease Foundation • www.vdf.org • 888-VDF-4INFO
Frequently Asked Questions Excerpted from recent VDF's Live “Ask the Doctor” Chat with Drs. Rathbun and Cherry, Transcripts of all chats may be found online at www.vdf.org. Question: I'm currently undergoing cancer treatment Q and would like to know if I need to be worried about DVT while taking chemo. Also, what is it about cancer that causes DVT Answer: Patients with cancer are certainly at higher risk for DVT. You should definitely receive DVTprevention measures (mainly blood-thinner injections A and/or compression devices) while you are in the hospital. If you are at home and walk at least several times a day, most physicians would not take special measures to prevent DVT. Even if the cancer is being treated by chemo, the risk of clots is higher. Cancer cells pro- duce proteins that increase clotting. Question: I have pain in my left leg and have had mild chest pain Q as well. Could these be connected My tests have shown that I have very little plaque in only one artery. Both of my parents had heart disease, and my mother was diabetic. Answer: There is definitely a link between heart troubles and artery troubles in the Alegs. Patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) are at increased risk for blockages due to atherosclerosis in the coronary (heart arteries). It sounds as if you have many risk factors for vascular disease. You should discuss these symptoms with your doctor. He/she may recommend an ABI test to diagnose arterial disease in your legs (PAD). Q Question: Do pneumatic pumps help or do any good for arterial diseases Answer: Pneumatic compression pumps (also called “arterial flow pumps”), have Ashown benefit for certain patients with PAD, such as those with severe critical limb ischemia and no other treatment options. Some other patients may also benefit. You should discuss this with a vascular specialist. IN THE NEWS Diabetes Awareness Month November is diabetes awareness month! Make sure you manage your diabetes to help avoid vascular disease complications. For more information, visit diabetes.org. NEW! VDF Annual Report VDF's Annual Report is here! To get your free copy of VDF's 2007 Annual Report, please contact us by phone at 888.VDF.4INFO (888.833.4463) or by e-mail at info@vdf.org In Memory of and In Honor of Envelopes Available Make It a Holiday Tribute! VDF has created a preprinted envelope in response to requests from supporters who have contributed “In Memory of” and “In Honor of” a loved one. This can simplify and expedite your desire to memorialize or honor a special person through a donation to VDF. If you would like to receive these special envelopes, call us at 888.VDF.4INFO or contact us by e-mail at info@vdf.org. Keeping in Circulation • www.KeepingInCirculation.org • 888-VDF-4INFO 13
Page 1 and 2: FALL 2008 • VOL. 8 NO. 4 THE OFFI
Page 3 and 4: www.surgeongeneral.gov or contact t
Page 5 and 6: Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) P
Page 7 and 8: VDF HealthCasts Continue The Vascul
Page 9 and 10: NPR’s Scott Simon, VDF Founder De
Page 11: and Quality of Life after Periphera
Page 15 and 16: Thank You to Our Recent Donors! VDF

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