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High Blood Pressure, Smoking, Unhealthy Eating Habits...and Brain Aneurysms This article was not written to depress anyone, nor was it written to scare. It was written to make you question your unhealthy habits, to make you more aware, and to give you a wake up call if you need one. We're all given a life and many of us are given healthy bodies -- it's left up to us how we treat our bodies. Many people think that they are invincible. But reality sometimes holds a different plan for us. Of course you could be the healthiest person on the planet, and you might still end up contracting an incurable disease or getting hit by a car. Since no one knows what the future will bring, we should at least do everything in our power to make sure we keep ourselves as healthy as we can to increase the odds in our favor...for ourselves, our children, and our family and friends. This means eating right, keeping our blood pressure and cholesterol in check, maintain a healthy diet to avoid diabetes, exercise, and don't smoke cigarettes. If you choose to not keep your body healthy, you run the risk of subjecting yourself to some serious illnesses. My brother is a heavy smoker. I've tried to get him to stop smoking and take better care of himself (add to the list high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes, with medication for each). I've even told him that I could not imagine growing old and not having him here. I wasn't aware how serious things could get -- that smokers increase their chances of having a serious health issue by up to eight times. Cigarette smokers with high blood pressure are 15 times more likely to experience a ruptured brain aneurysm than nonsmokers without high blood pressure. I thought cancer was the only worry...little did I know. My brother's entire family was also concerned, and did the best they could to try and get him to take better care of himself. But unfortunately, you cannot make someone take better care of themselves. So I thought that if I showed people the consequences of an unhealthy lifestyle, it might possibly save someone's life. If you aren't interested in reading the facts below, you should at least read my parting words (skip to my parting words by clicking here. Although, if you do care about yourself and your family and friends, I suggest reading through the entire article. Be well, and stay healthy. :) High blood pressure1 What Is High Blood Pressure? High blood pressure (HBP) is a serious condition that can lead to coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke, kidney failure, and other health problems. "Blood pressure" is the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps out blood. If this pressure rises and stays high over time, it can damage the body in many ways. About 1 in 3 adults in the United States has HBP. HBP itself usually has no symptoms. You can have it for years without knowing it. During this time, though, it can damage the heart, blood vessels, kidneys, and other parts of your body. This is why knowing your blood pressure numbers is important, even when you're feeling fine. If your blood pressure is normal, you can work with your health care team to keep it that way. If your blood pressure is too high, you need treatment to prevent damage to your body's organs. Blood Pressure Numbers Blood pressure numbers include systolic (sis-TOL-ik) and diastolic (di-a-STOL-ik) pressures. Systolic blood pressure is the pressure when the heart beats while pumping blood. Diastolic blood pressure is the pressure when the heart is at rest between beats. You will most often see blood pressure numbers written with the systolic number above or before the diastolic, such as 120/80 mmHg. (The mmHg is millimeters of mercury —- the units used to measure blood pressure.) The table below shows normal numbers for adults. It also shows which numbers put you at greater risk for health problems. Blood pressure tends to goes up and down, even in people who have normal blood pressure. If your numbers stay above normal most of the time, you're at risk. Categories for Blood Pressure Levels in Adults (in mmHg, or millimeters of mercury) Category Systolic (top number)   Diastolic (bottom number) Normal Less than 120 And Less than 80 Prehypertension 120-139 Or 80-89 High blood pressure       HBP, Stage 1 140-159 Or 90-99 HBP, Stage 2 160 or higher Or 100 or higher The ranges in the table apply to most adults (aged 18 and older) who don't have short-term serious illnesses. All levels above 120/80 mmHg raise your risk, and the risk grows as blood pressure levels rise. "Prehypertension" means you're likely to end up with HBP, unless you take steps to prevent it. If you're being treated for HBP and have repeat readings in the normal range, your blood pressure is under control. However, you still have the condition. You should see your doctor and stay on treatment to keep you blood pressure under control. Your systolic and diastolic numbers may not be in the same blood pressure category. In this case, the more severe category is the one you're in. For example, if your systolic number is 160 and your diastolic number is 80, you have stage 2 HBP. If your systolic number is 120 and your diastolic number is 95, you have stage 1 HBP. If you have diabetes or chronic kidney disease, HBP is defined as 130/80 mmHg or higher. HBP numbers also differ for children and teens. Outlook Blood pressure tends to rise with age. Following a healthy lifestyle helps some people delay or prevent this rise in blood pressure. People who have HBP can take steps to control it and reduce their risks for related health problems. Key steps include following a healthy lifestyle, having ongoing medical care, and following the treatment plan that your doctor prescribes. Other Names for High Blood Pressure High blood pressure (HBP) also is called hypertension. When HBP has no known cause, it may be called essential hypertension, primary hypertension, or idiopathic hypertension. When another condition causes HBP, it's sometimes called secondary high blood pressure or secondary hypertension. In some cases of HBP, only the systolic blood pressure number is high. This condition is called isolated systolic hypertension (ISH). Many older adults have this condition. ISH can cause as much harm as HBP in which both numbers are too high. High cholesterol1 What Is Cholesterol? To understand high blood cholesterol (ko-LES-ter-ol), it is important to know more about cholesterol. Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is found in all cells of the body. Your body needs some cholesterol to work the right way. Your body makes all the cholesterol it needs. Cholesterol is also found in some of the foods you eat. Your body uses cholesterol to make hormones, vitamin D, and substances that help you digest foods. Blood is watery, and cholesterol is fatty. Just like oil and water, the two do not mix. To travel in the bloodstream, cholesterol is carried in small packages called lipoproteins (lip-o-PRO-teens). The small packages are made of fat (lipid) on the inside and proteins on the outside. Two kinds of lipoproteins carry cholesterol throughout your body. It is important to have healthy levels of both: Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is sometimes called bad cholesterol. High LDL cholesterol leads to a buildup of cholesterol in arteries. The higher the LDL level in your blood, the greater chance you have of getting heart disease. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is sometimes called good cholesterol. HDL carries cholesterol from other parts of your body back to your liver. The liver removes the cholesterol from your body. The higher your HDL cholesterol level, the lower your chance of getting heart disease. What Is High Blood Cholesterol? Too much cholesterol in the blood, or high blood cholesterol, can be serious. People with high blood cholesterol have a greater chance of getting heart disease. High blood cholesterol on its own does not cause symptoms, so many people are unaware that their cholesterol level is too high. Cholesterol can build up in the walls of your arteries (blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to other parts of the body). This buildup of cholesterol is called plaque (plak). Over time, plaque can cause narrowing of the arteries. This is called atherosclerosis (ath-er-o-skler-O-sis), or hardening of the arteries. Special arteries, called coronary arteries, bring blood to the heart. Narrowing of your coronary arteries due to plaque can stop or slow down the flow of blood to your heart. When the arteries narrow, the amount of oxygen-rich blood is decreased. This is called coronary heart disease (CHD). Large plaque areas can lead to chest pain called angina (an-JI-nuh or AN-juh-nuh). Angina happens when the heart does not receive enough oxygen-rich blood. Angina is a common symptom of CHD. Some plaques have a thin covering and can burst (rupture), releasing cholesterol and fat into the bloodstream. The release of cholesterol and fat may cause your blood to clot. A clot can block the flow of blood. This blockage can cause angina or a heart attack. Lowering your cholesterol level decreases your chance for having a plaque burst and cause a heart attack. Lowering cholesterol may also slow down, reduce, or even stop plaque from building up. Plaque and resulting health problems can also occur in arteries elsewhere in the body. Other Names for High Blood Cholesterol Hypercholesterolemia (HI-per-ko-LES-ter-ol-E-me-a) Hyperlipidemia (HI-per-lip-i-DE-me-a) Desired Ranges Total Cholesterol: Less than 200 mg/dL HDL (Good cholesterol): Above 40 mg/dL for men, above 50 mg/dL for women LDL (Bad cholesterol): Less than 100 mg/dL Triglyceride (TG): Less than 100 mg/dL What are Overweight and Obesity? The terms "overweight" and "obesity" refer to a person’s overall body weight and where the extra weight comes from. Overweight is having extra body weight from muscle, bone, fat, and/or water. Obesity is having a high amount of extra body fat. The most useful measure of overweight and obesity is the body mass index (BMI). BMI is based on height and weight and is used for adults, children, and teens. Millions of Americans and people worldwide are overweight or obese. Being overweight or obese puts you at risk for many diseases and conditions. The more body fat that you carry around and the more you weigh, the more likely you are to develop heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, gallstones, breathing problems, and certain cancers. A person’s weight is a result of many factors. These factors include environment, family history and genetics, metabolism (the way your body changes food and oxygen into energy), behavior or habits, and other factors. Certain things, like family history, can’t be changed. However, other things—like a person’s lifestyle habits—can be changed. You can help prevent or treat overweight and obesity if you: Follow a healthful diet, while keeping your calorie needs in mind Are physically active Limit the time you spend being physically inactive Weight loss medicines and surgery also are options for some people who need to lose weight if lifestyle changes don’t work. Outlook Reaching and staying at a healthy weight is a long-term challenge for people who are overweight or obese. But it also can be a chance to lower your risk of other serious health problems. With the right treatment and motivation, it’s possible to lose weight and lower your long-term disease risk. Smoking (increases risks of aneurysms by 8 times) Smoking injures blood vessel walls and speeds up the process of hardening of the arteries. This applies even to filtered cigarettes. So even though it does not cause high blood pressure, smoking is bad for anyone, especially those with high blood pressure. If you smoke, quit. If you don't smoke, don't start. Once you quit, your risk of having a heart attack is reduced after the first year. So you have a lot to gain by quitting. Does Smoking Tobacco Cause High Blood Pressure? No. However, it can temporarily raise blood pressure, and it DOES increase the risk of heart and blood vessel diseases. Smoking and Heart Health Smoking injures blood vessel walls and speeds up the process of hardening of the arteries. So even though it does not cause high blood pressure, smoking is bad for anyone, especially those with high blood pressure. If you smoke, quit. If you don't smoke, don't start. Once you quit, your risk of having a heart attack is reduced after the first year. So you have a lot to gain by quitting. Smoking decreases HDL (good) cholesterol. Cigarette smoking combined with a family history of heart disease also seems to greatly increase the risk.1 Cigarette Smoking Statistics In the United States, an estimated 26.2 million men (23.5 percent) and 20.9 million women (18.1 percent) are smokers. These people are at higher risk of heart attack and stroke.1 The latest estimates for persons age 18 and older show...2 Among whites, 23.5 percent of men and 18.8 percent of women smoke (2006). Among blacks, 26.1 percent of men and 18.5 percent of women smoke. Among Hispanics, 20.1 percent of men and 10.1 percent of women smoke. Among non-HIspanic Asians, 16.8 percent of men and 4.6 percent of women smoke. Among American Indians/Alaska Natives, 35.6 percent of men and 29.0 percent of women smoke. Aneurysms What Is an Aneurysm? An aneurysm (AN-u-rism) is an abnormal bulge or "ballooning" in the wall of an artery. Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood from the heart to other parts of the body. An aneurysm that grows and becomes large enough can burst, causing dangerous, often fatal, bleeding inside the body. Most aneurysms occur in the aorta. The aorta is the main artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. The aorta comes out from the left ventricle (VEN-trih-kul) of the heart and travels through the chest and abdomen. An aneurysm that occurs in the aorta in the chest is called a thoracic (tho-RAS-ik) aortic aneurysm. An aneurysm that occurs in the aorta in the abdomen is called an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Aneurysms also can occur in arteries in the brain, heart, intestine, neck, spleen, back of the knees and thighs, and in other parts of the body. If an aneurysm in the brain bursts, it causes a stroke. About 15,000 Americans die each year from ruptured aortic aneurysms. Ruptured aortic aneurysm is the 10th leading cause of death in men over age 50 in the United States. Many cases of ruptured aneurysm can be prevented with early diagnosis and medical treatment. Because aneurysms can develop and become large before causing any symptoms, it is important to look for them in people who are at the highest risk. Experts recommend that men who are 65 to 75 years old and have ever smoked (at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime) should be checked for abdominal aortic aneurysms. When found in time, aneurysms can usually be treated successfully with medicines or surgery. If an aortic aneurysm is found, the doctor may prescribe medicine to reduce the heart rate and blood pressure. This can reduce the risk of rupture. Large aortic aneurysms, if found in time, can often be repaired with surgery to replace the diseased portion of the aorta. The outlook is usually excellent. What Causes an Aneurysm? An aneurysm can result from atherosclerosis (hardening and narrowing of the inside of arteries). As atherosclerosis develops, the artery walls become thick and damaged and lose their normal inner lining. This damaged area of artery can stretch or "balloon" from the pressure of blood flow inside the artery, resulting in an aneurysm. An aneurysm also can develop from constant high blood pressure inside an artery. A thoracic aortic aneurysm can result from an injury to the chest (for example, an injury that occurs from an auto crash). Certain medical conditions, such as Marfan syndrome, that weaken the body's connective tissues, also can cause aneurysms. In rare cases, infections such as untreated syphilis (a sexually transmitted infection) can cause aortic aneurysms. Aortic aneurysms also can occur as a result of diseases that cause inflammation of blood vessels, such as vasculitis. Types of Aneurysms Aortic Aneurysm Most aneurysms occur in the aorta. The aorta is the main artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. The aorta comes out from the left ventricle of the heart and travels through the chest and abdomen. The two types of aortic aneurysm are thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm An aortic aneurysm that occurs in the part of the aorta running through the thorax (chest) is a thoracic aortic aneurysm. One in four aortic aneurysms is a TAA. Most TAAs do not produce symptoms, even when they are large. Only half of all people with TAAs notice any symptoms. TAAs are identified more often now than in the past because of chest computed tomography (CT) scans performed for other medical problems. In a common type of TAA, the walls of the aorta become weak and a section nearest to the heart enlarges. Then the valve between the heart and the aorta cannot close properly and blood leaks backward into the heart. Less commonly, a TAA can develop in the upper back away from the heart. A TAA in this location can result from and injury to the chest such as from an auto crash. Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm An aortic aneurysm that occurs in the part of the aorta running through the abdomen is an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Three in four aortic aneurysms are AAAs. An AAA can grow very large without producing symptoms. About 1 in 5 AAAs rupture. Cerebral Aneurysm Aneurysms that occur in an artery in the brain are called cerebral aneurysms. They are sometimes called berry aneurysms because they are often the size of a small berry. Most cerebral aneurysms produce no symptoms until they become large, begin to leak blood, or rupture. A ruptured cerebral aneurysm causes a stroke. Signs and symptoms can include a sudden, extremely severe headache, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, sudden weakness in an area of the body, sudden difficulty speaking, and even loss of consciousness, coma, or death. The danger of a cerebral aneurysm depends on its size and location in the brain, whether it leaks or ruptures, and the person’s age and overall health. Peripheral Aneurysm Aneurysms that occur in arteries other than the aorta (and not in the brain) are called peripheral aneurysms. Common locations for peripheral aneurysms include the artery that runs down the back of the thigh behind the knee (popliteal artery), the main artery in the groin (femoral artery), and the main artery in the neck (carotid artery). Peripheral aneurysms are not as likely to rupture as aortic aneurysms, but blood clots can form in peripheral aneurysms. If a blood clot breaks away from the aneurysm, it can block blood flow through the artery. If a peripheral aneurysm is large, it can press on a nearby nerve or vein and cause pain, numbness, or swelling. Who Is At Risk for an Aneurysm? Men are 5 to 10 times more likely than women to have an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) - the most common type of aneurysm. The risk of AAA increases as you get older, and it is more likely to occur in people between the ages of 60 to 80. A peripheral aneurysm also is more likely to affect people ages 60 to 80. Cerebral (brain) aneurysms, though rare, are more likely to occur in people ages 35 to 60. Risk Factors Factors that increase your risk for aneurysm include: Atherosclerosis, a buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries. Smoking You are eight times more likely to develop an aneurysm if you smoke. Overweight or obesity. A family history of aortic aneurysm, heart disease, or other diseases of the arteries. Certain diseases that can weaken the wall of the aorta, such as: Marfan syndrome (an inherited disease in which tissues don't develop normally) Untreated syphilis (a very rare cause today) Tuberculosis (also a very rare cause today) Trauma such as a blow to the chest in a car accident. Severe and persistent high blood pressure between the ages of 35 and 60. This increases the risk for a cerebral aneurysm. Use of stimulant drugs such as cocaine. To prevent an aneurysm and keep blood vessels healthy, quit smoking, eat a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet, get regular physical activity, and control high blood pressure and high cholesterol. The signs and symptoms of an aneurysm depend on its type, location, and whether it has ruptured or is interfering with other structures in the body. Aneurysms can develop and grow for years without causing any signs or symptoms. It is often not until an aneurysm ruptures or grows large enough to press on nearby parts of the body or block blood flow that it produces any signs or symptoms. A Recent Advance from the NHLBI, 9/08: A Common Genetic Variant Is Associated with Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm and Intracranial Aneurysm Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a common condition with potentially lethal consequences. Ruptured AAAs and complications after surgical repair are responsible for at least 15,000 deaths per year in the United States. Most aortic aneurysms are detected incidentally from images created for other purposes or through screening programs. Advanced age, cigarette smoking, male gender, hypertension, whether treated or not, and family history have been the most frequently recognized AAA risk factors. Better methods are needed to identify individuals at risk for AAA who would benefit from screening and possible intervention. NHLBI-funded investigators found that a common sequence variant, which was previously linked to myocardial infarction, also is associated with risk for AAA and for intracranial aneurysm (IA). The variant was studied in several populations (Iceland, UK, US, Belgium, New Zealand, Canada, Finland, and the Netherlands) and found to be associated with AAAs of all sizes, whether symptomatic or asymptomatic. People who carried one copy of the variant had an increased risk for both AAA and IA of more than 30 percent compared with non-carriers, and risk was elevated more than 70 percent in people with two copies. This study is the first to demonstrate an association of a common genetic variant with AAA and IA that replicates in several populations. The discovery, if augmented by future identification of additional genetic variants, is expected ultimately to enable better prediction of risk for these conditions. Other Names for Aneurysm Aortic aneurysm Abdominal aortic aneurysm, or AAA Thoracic aortic aneurysm, or TAA Cerebral aneurysm Peripheral aneurysm Parting words: So what will you do with all this information? Well, either you've just read this article in its entirety or have skipped directly to the end. But the facts remain -- if you don't take care of your body, your body won't take care of you. Chances are you already know someone who may be a candidate for one of the above problems. Whether it's yourself, a family member, or a friend. I hope this article has convinced you to take the time to evaluate your life and do something positive for yourself. If you're not currently eating healthy, or taking care of your body, now's a great time to start. If you don't want to do it for yourself, do it for your spouse, your children, and your family and friends. Even if they aren't telling you, they are concerned and they do care. Even if they aren't showing it, they are affected by your choices. They need you. Please see your doctor and have all the necessary medical tests to ensure a long, healthy life. My brother died last month...he was just 49. Diagnosis: ruptured brain aneurysm. He leaves behind two adult children and other devastated family members. Did he know that his high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and smoking was damaging his body? I'm sure he knew. But I'm also sure he never expected to be gone this soon. There are some things in this life that we can choose -- and choosing to live healthy is one of them. This article was written by his little sister -- may his death not be in vain. *This article is dedicated to Brian, 1959-2009* References: 1American Heart Association 2American Heart Association; Statistics: National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), 2006, National Center for Health Statistics Post a comment about this article in our blog. Below are a few of our checklists that might be helpful: Blood Pressure & Pulse Rate Checklist My Stop Smoking Tracker Checklist My Diabetes Tracker Checklist Diabetic's Weekly Food Diary Checklist Weight Loss Checklist Medical Test Schedule Checklist Multiple Medicines Detailed Checklist My Exercise Checklist Weight Loss Progress Checklist "When a Loved One Dies" Checklist Below are some websites & articles that might be of interest & importance: Brain Basics: Preventing Strokes on MyParenTime.com New Year's Resolution to Quit Smoking on MyParenTime.com My blood pressure wallet card Online Meal Planner (tells calories for each meal) 10-year CVD Risk Calculator [Risk Assessment Tool for Estimating 10-year Risk of Developing Hard Coronary Heart Disease Smokefree.gov Smoking increases risk for brain aneurysms Smoking May Increase Brain Aneurysm Recurrence Smoking May Increase Brain Aneurysm Recurrence Family History of Aneurysm Raises Stroke Risk for Smokers Below are some books relating to this article. Use Amazon.com's secure server to order: "The New 8-Week Cholesterol Cure: The Ultimate Program for Preventing Heart Disease" -- Robert E. Kowalski "Cholesterol Down: Ten Simple Steps to Lower Your Cholesterol in Four Weeks -- Without Prescription Drugs" -- Janet Brill "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About(TM): Hypertension: The Revolutionary Nutrition and Lifestyle Program to Help Fight High Blood Pressure" -- Mark C. Houston, Barry Fox, & Nadine Taylor "The Easy Way to Stop Smoking: Join the Millions Who Have Become Non-Smokers Using Allen Carr's Easyway Method" -- Allen Carr "The Easy Way to Stop Smoking (Audio CD)" -- Allen Carr "Choose to Lose: A Food Lover's Guide to Permanent Weight Loss" -- Nancy Goor, Ronald S. Goor "The Brain Aneurysm" -- Vini G. Khurana, Robert F. Spetzler "I Wasn't Ready to Say Goodbye: Surviving, Coping and Healing After the Sudden Death of a Loved One" -- Brook Noel Click here to read other articles by MyParenTime.com. Foreword, opinions and conclusion, Copyright © My ParenTime's Family Community. This article may not be reproduced without written permission. Factual information for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, overweight/obesity, and aneurysms, Copyright National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Cigarette Smoking Statistics, Copyright © American Heart Association and National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), 2006, National Center for Health Statistics.

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