Discuss the causes, symptoms and dietary management of hypertension.
How to lay out the answer. Follow the frame, then write it in your own words.
1 · Open in two lines. Hypertension is a persistent blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg or more. It is a silent killer that leads to stroke, heart and kidney disease.
2 · Classification. JNC 7 stages; primary vs secondary hypertension.
3 · Causes and symptoms.
Age, family history, obesity, salt, alcohol, smoking, stress, inactivity.
Often none; headache, dizziness, palpitations; complications.
4 · Draw the salt-BP link. [Flow: high salt → water retained → blood volume up → BP up → heart and kidney strain]
5 · Diet principles. Salt under 5 g, DASH pattern, potassium 3,510 mg, weight control, low saturated and trans fat, omega-3, fibre, no alcohol or smoking.
6 · Foods, hidden salt and menu. Include and avoid lists with hidden sodium sources; a low-salt menu.
7 · Close in one line. Cutting salt and eating the DASH way can lower BP as much as one drug.
Scoring tip: List at least six hidden sodium sources; examiners look for papad, pickle, baking soda and ajinomoto.
