Hypertension and Dietary Sodium

Flashcards covering key vocabulary, clinical thresholds, health risks, and dietary sodium recommendations related to hypertension.

Hypertension

A medical condition in which the pressure of the blood against the walls of the arteries is high enough to cause health problems.

'Silent killer'

A term used to describe high blood pressure because an individual can have the condition for years without presenting any symptoms.

Aortic aneurysm

An abnormal bulge in the wall of the aorta, the risk of which is increased by high blood pressure.

Vascular dementia

A form of dementia caused by impaired blood flow to the brain, for which high blood pressure is a significant risk factor.

Atherosclerosis

A condition involving narrowed arteries and impaired blood flow that high blood pressure increases the risk of developing.

Systolic pressure

The higher number in a blood pressure measurement, representing the force at which the heart pumps blood around the body when it contracts.

Diastolic pressure

The lower number in a blood pressure measurement, representing the resistance to blood flow in the blood vessels between beats when the heart relaxes.

Millimetres of mercury ($\text{mmHg}$)

The standard unit of measurement used to express both systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings.

High blood pressure reading

A blood pressure measurement defined as $140/90\,\text{mmHg}$ or higher.

Ideal blood pressure reading

A blood pressure measurement considered to fall between $90/60\,\text{mmHg}$ and $120/80\,\text{mmHg}$.

Low blood pressure reading

A blood pressure measurement considered to be $90/60\,\text{mmHg}$ or lower.

Smoking

A lifestyle risk factor where chemicals reduce blood oxygen carrying capacity, increase heart rate, and elevate blood pressure, forcing the heart to work harder.

Obesity and overweight

Conditions associated with higher blood cholesterol levels, elevated blood pressure, and an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Sodium ($\text{Na}$)

An essential dietary element whose high intake is linked to high blood pressure, stroke, and coronary heart disease.

Sodium chloride ($\text{NaCl}$)

The chemical compound that constitutes common table salt, containing sodium as an elemental component.

Sodium-to-salt ratio

The nutritional proportion indicating that there is approximately $1\,\text{g}$ of sodium in every $2.5\,\text{g}$ of salt.

Recommended adult salt maximum

The recommended maximum daily dietary intake of salt for adults, set at $6\,\text{g}$ per day (with children under 11 advised to consume less).

UK adult mean salt intake

The current average daily consumption of salt among adults in the UK, recorded at $8\,\text{g/day}$.