Hypertension Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Hypertension - Case Study Example It is usually called the silent killer because it does not present any symptoms until it reaches a serious and life-threatening stage (Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia, 2003). The Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment if High Blood Pressure has identified the classification of hypertension in adults older than 18 years are prehypertension, if systolic pressure is 120-139 mmHg and diastolic pressure is 80-89 mmHg; stage 1 hypertension is systolic pressure ranges 140-159 mmHg and diastolic pressure ranges 90-99 mmHg; and stage 2 hypertension if systolic pressure is 160 mmHg or more and diastolic pressure is 100 mmHg or higher (Bickley & Szilagyi, 2009). Essential or idiopathic hypertension is the term given to high blood pressures with no identifiable causes (Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia, 2003). Hypertension has been also categorized in two classes. Primary hypertension happens when the sympathetic nervous system as well as the renin-angiotensin-a ldosterone system is hyperactive thereby causing vasoconstriction and endothelial dysfunction, its mechanism however is still not known. Secondary hypertension on the other hand is caused by high intake with estrogen therapy, polycystic kidney disease, renal artery vasoconstriction, primary hyperaldosteronism, Cushing’s disease, hyperthyroidism, and pheochromocytoma (Woods, 2006). Individuals having a family history of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases are at greater risk of developing heart-related illnesses. Also included in the high risk group are those who are smoking cigarettes, living a sedentary lifestyle, or having a body mass index of 30 kg/m2 or more. Furthermore, patients with past medical history of dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, or presence of albumin in the urine are more predisposed to developing hypertension and heart diseases. Regarding to age, males older than 55 years and females older than 65 years and postmenopausal are at greater risk of acquiri ng hypertensive and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, individuals who are regularly taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or women who are taking estrogen-containing contraceptives are also more predisposed to acquiring heart diseases (Woods, 2006). The survey on monitoring prevalence rate of cardiovascular diseases by the World Health Organization was conducted to 22 countries. Conclusions based on the data gathered are as follows: Hypertension prevalence is high in all countries with a scope of 20% to nearly 50%. Generally, industrialized countries have a greater prevalence than United States, excluding Canada, (Wolf-Maier, 2003). In one country, higher prevalence rate is observed in the urban areas than in rural areas (Gupta, 2004; Ibrahim, 1996, Ragoobirsingh, et. al., 2002). On the whole, the worldwide burden of hypertensive disease in 2000 was approximated to be 972 million individuals or 26.4% of the adult population; 333 million are in developed countries and 639 million are in developing countries. By the year 2025, approximately 1.56 billion persons will be afflicted with hypertension, a projection of 60% from year 2000 (Kearney, 2005).Several studies were also conducted according to age and race and it was found out that the frequency of hypertension is high in the United States, increases with age, and is greater in African Americans than in whites (Hajjar, 2006). The incidence and susceptibility to complications brought about by

Accepting Change is to Americas Benefit Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Accepting Change is to Americas Benefit - Essay Example In fact, ambiguous attitudes towards change may even emerge in an individual. These would naturally bring about the oftentimes inconsistent views regarding changes, especially those that affect tradition and culture. At one time, one can embrace the novel while at another, staunchly defending what he perceives as really American. This is phenomenon is just a reflection of the opposite poles that exist among Americans regarding change. It is necessary to understand the dilemma that the American people face when confronted with changes that affect the very foundations of culture and tradition. It is through such understanding that determining the correct attitude can be realized. Dinosaur Dreams: Reading the Bones of America’s Psychic Mascot written by Jack Hitt provides valuable insights regarding the matter. It is a discussion on the general attitude of Americans towards the dinosaurs as symbols. Fenton Johnson’s Wedded to an Illusion, on the other hand, focuses on the issue of same gender marriages but it presents an argument on why Americans should accept change because of its benefits for their society. In summing up the points of Hitt and Johnson, it is easy to conclude that that since change is inevitable, Americans have no other recourse but to accept it in order to make the best out of the new opportunities it offers. A brief review of the history of the United States, particularly its culture, it is discernable that the people’s view of themselves and their country is constantly changing. This means that certain norms and beliefs once though to be permanently valid and right have been set aside as no longer attuned to the times or thrown into the dustbin of the past being found absolutely wrong. Under such premise, it is clear that the shifts, even if these at times cause upheavals, must be considered as beneficial. The struggle between the old and new is not just carried out by debates; it is possible for force to be applied in order to achieve a resolution. The point, however, is to determine the results of the events, whether or not it brought about positive things for society. This is a very pragmatic point of view on changes, one that is not based on subjective will but on objective conditions. If conditions change, there is actually no other recourse but to accept reality and to adap t or improvise. No matter how people wish things to be permanent, changes still occur. Even marriage is obviously not a permanent despite promises of union being made until death. In fact, it â€Å"has always been an evolving institution, bent and shaped by the historical moment and the needs and demands of its participants.† (Johnson) Centuries ago, nobody would have thought about divorce, especially because religion then played a very important part in establishing marital union. However, this has changed through following centuries. If such change is accepted by people, then there is no reason why they cannot do the same with changes in society, which is another institution. Actually, the shifts are taking place although these may be gradual and America’s only choice is to accept these. Hitt explains that the American psyche is actually accepting the changes. This is the view that he presents in his article which describes the significance of the American view of th e dinosaur. The existence of dinosaurs is proven by the past, something that can no longer be changed. However, â€Å"their periodic rebirth in pop culture neatly signals deep tectonic shifts in our sense of our self as a country.† (Hitt) The American people’s view on the relevance of the dinosaur is a reflection of their