Vascular Systems

While medical technology develops, numbers of patients with chronic illness like hypertension and cardiovascular disease continuously increase. Does the numbers of patients with chronic illness increase because of development of medical technology? Or Does it because we tend to live longer? Or Does it because we get more chances in treatments and diagnosis? Or Does it because survival rates of patients increases? Now, I would like to raise an example on Hypertension.

Hypertension

Blood Pressure measurement has two numbers:

SYSTOLIC is the top number indicating the pressure of the blood flow when the heart muscle contracts
DIASTOLIC is the bottom number indicating the pressure in the arteries when the heart rest between beats.

When blood pressure consistently ranges at 140/90 mmHg or higher for more than 3 times in a row, you are diagnosed as having Hypertension and needed to see doctors to seek for causes. There are various causes of Hypertension such as chronic arteritis, adrenal gland disorders, valvular heart disease, and congenital heart valve disease. However, the most common cause of hypertension is a buildup of plaques around the walls of the arteries, leading to loss of flexibility and becoming Atherosclerosis—thickening of the arteries.

Atherosclerosis has some effects on Autonomic Nervous Systems and Endocrine Systems by increasing pressure when the heart muscle contracts. It can lead to Stroke, Cardiovascular disease, Kidney disease, Macular Degeneration, and etc.

The treatments for Hypertension are usually done by antihypertensive drugs and palliative cares. Is it enough for you? Now, there are various alternative treatments for you to choose such as 24-hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM), Enhanced External Counter Pulsation (EECP), and some others.

24-hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) is a method of measuring blood pressure on a continuous basis. This bio-chemistry-level measurement allows us to be able to monitor patterns and variations of blood pressure, which helps define causes and risks of Hypertension.

Enhanced External Counter Pulsation (EECP) is a technology that helps increase blood circulation and helps promote flexibility of cardiovascular, which helps cure Hypertension.

There are some other alternative methods based on specific problems of each patient using holistic medicines as well as offering suggestions with care.