Scientific and Mathematical/Analytical Perspectives of Inquiry Paper

2

2

Searching and Evaluating Scientific and/or Mathematical/Analytical Resources on Hypertension

Winnie Nyamapfumba

West Coast University

CAPS 401: General Education Capstone

Courtney Sullivan

November 22, 2020

Abstract

The research paper analyses the scientific perspective of inquiry and analytical perspective inquiry of hypertension. The scientific perspective of inquiry entails anatomical, physiological, epidemiological, and pathological issues relating to high blood pressure. In the analysis, body systems that are greatly affected are also discussed. These are some of the reasons why it is essential to understand what happens at the genetic or cellular level. The paper also discusses the critical biological issues when considering the investigation of the impacts caused by hypertension. The analytical perspective of inquiry is all about the economic issues, theories relating to hypertension. The inquiry was not complete without the analysis of the statistical facts and statistical processes related to hypertension. The statistical facts were necessary for establishing areas that are greatly affected and need immediate help.

Searching and Evaluating Scientific and/or Mathematical/Analytical Resources on Hypertension

Hypertension also referred to as high blood pressure, is a long-term medical condition where the arteries' blood pressure becomes persistently elevated (Blush, 2016). The most common causes of the medical condition include obesity, smoking, overweight, sedentary lifestyle, diabetes, high alcohol or salt intake, lack of physical activity, insufficient consumption of magnesium, potassium, or calcium, chronic kidney disease, stress, aging, and vitamin D (Madden, 2015). Unfortunately, hypertension is a chronic disease and can only be controlled with medication, but there is no cure. In that case, patients must continue with treatment and modifications of their lifestyle as per the doctor's advice. They are also expected to attend regular medical follow up for life (Blush, 2016). Hypertension symptoms include severe headaches, fatigue, chest pain, irregular heartbeat, difficulty breathing, and nosebleed.

The answer to high blood pressure has always been water and not any other beverage. The approach can also be aided by adding calcium and magnesium to lower blood pressure. Whichever the case or treatment method, it will be imperative to discuss hypertension from scientific inquiry and analytical inquiry.

Which body parts or systems are affected?

The most body parts that are susceptible to high blood pressure are the kidney, heart, brain, and arterial blood vessels. Hypertension that is not controlled or well-managed will damage the mentioned body parts and eventually result in organ failure, disability, and cardiovascular death (Madden, 2015). Therefore, guidelines for the control and appropriate treatment of hypertension must require assessing the presence of the targeted and vulnerable organ at the same time. Whenever hypertension is identified, the target organ damage evidence usually determines the intensity and urgency of drug treatment to the disease (Madden, 2015). The danger of the targeted organ also dictates the choice of the initial class of the antihypertensive drug. Evaluation of the people with established or suspected hypertension must also include the meticulous search for evidence of the targeted organ for damage. The advantage is that treatment with antihypertensive medications can result in significant BP reductions and reduce nonfatal and fatal hypertensive complications. In the process, progression to organ failure is significantly slowed down.

Regarding the issue of generic or cellular level, HTN (Hypertension) is quantitatively the significant cardiovascular risk factor that causes more than 50% of the cardiovascular mortality and morbidity (Madden, 2015). Again, blood pressure is a classical complex genetic trait exhibiting a heritability estimate of about 40 to 60% (Blush, 2016). The biological issues or factors related to high blood pressure include how fast the heartbeats, the arteries' flexibility, and the pumping of the blood through their vessels.

Considerably, elevated blood pressure is still the leading risk factor for disability and disease worldwide (Madden, 2015). Hypertension is the most commonly known disease and one of the modifiable and essential risk factors for stroke, coronary heart disease, chronic kidney disease, peripheral vascular disease, and chronic kidney disease (Blush, 2016). For that reason, there is no doubt that the physiological threshold must exist below in which the levels of blood pressure are linked to increased cardiovascular mortality.

Due to the damaged arterioles caused by blood pressure will this damage the heart if oxygen is not circulated properly?

Concerning anatomical analysis, hypertension occurs when the smaller blood vessels of the body known as the arterioles narrow and hence cause the blood to exert pressure against the blood vessels' walls. The incident usually forces the heart to work harder to maintain the pressure (Blush, 2016). Even though the blood vessels and the heart can tolerate increased blood pressure for many years, the same heart might also enlarge, resulting in a condition known as hypertrophy. The condition is dangerous in that the heart might get weakened to the point of failure. Such failure is also linked to the injury of the blood vessels in the eyes, brain, and kidney.

Moreover, epidemiological analysis helps with the understanding of the changing prevalence of hypertension. The incidences of hypertension appear to be expected in many countries, even though it appears to be manifesting at a younger age (Blush, 2016). Perhaps, it might be the reason for better access to health care that hypertension is being identified more often. The epidemiological analysis should also not be about the prevalence and incidences of hypertension and the determination of what should be perceived normal in some areas. In that case, the prevalence and incidences of hypertension can be investigated in terms of sex, age, height for children and adolescents.

What are the statistical facts related to hypertension in the health industry?

Certainly, the economic burden of hypertension can somehow become complicated. Therefore, health economists and the economy must take an essential role in the disease's challenges. Unfortunately, in developing countries, one out of three adults always have hypertension, and half of them are unaware that they have the disease. Hence, the number of patients seeking treatment becomes few (MacGregor & Stowasser, 2016). The implication of hypertension disease is also enormous not because of the direct cost involving diagnosis and treatment but also of the indirect costs. The causes of indirect costs are associated with premature mortality, permanent disability, economy, and productivity of the country. Additionally, the healthcare cost for hypertension usually hits the pockets of the families of the patients. It is possible to establish that every patient spends a minimum of $100 on hypertension (MacGregor & Stowasser, 2016).

Additionally, renal abnormalities, metabolic disorders, and neurogenic factors are all known to be causative factors that are majorly influenced by economic theories of hypertension (Soni et al., 2012). Hypertension is also linked to the theory of reduced productivity in the working-age group's population because of the number of workdays lost due to ill health. People are always absent from the workplace in search of medication and hence, reduced efficiency in the working environment (Blush, 2016). The loss of productivity can cause an economic burden on employers, individuals, and governments through reduced tax revenue, earnings, and GDP (gross domestic product). The decline in economic activity because of hypertension is comparable to healthcare expenditure and not indirect cost (Nadar & Lip, 2015). One country that is possible to get the statistical facts about hypertension is the United States of America.

About 45% of adults living in the United States have hypertension, known as systolic blood pressure (MacGregor & Stowasser, 2016). Some of them are also having diastolic blood pressure and are seeking medication for hypertension. Unfortunately, one out four adults in America have their hypertension problem under control. The number is extremely low and is equivalent to 24% of the United States' adult population. More than 45% of the adults with uncontrolled hypertension have a blood pressure of about 140/90 mm Hg or more (MacGregor & Stowasser, 2016). More than 30 million adults recommended for medication are expected to start taking the prescription to improve their health (MacGregor & Stowasser, 2016).

What kind of people are mainly affected by the disease and how best can the disease be controlled?

Unfortunately, the control of high blood pressure rates varies by race and sex (Mancia, 2019). The issue of uncontrolled hypertension is common, but for a particular group of people. Some groups of people are seen to have more control over hypertension than others. Persons with high blood pressure are mostly men, with a percentage of 47 (Blush, 2016). On the other hand, women exhibit a percentage of 43. Furthermore, high blood pressure is common among non-Hispanic adults than when compared to non-Hispanic white adults. However, the Hispanic and non-Hispanic Asian adults are not that much affected by hypertension.

Conclusion

In conclusion, hypertension is a chronic disease that needs immediate medication. The disease does not have a cure and can affect a person's health for life. Therefore, the best methods are getting medications as per the doctor's advice, lifestyle change, and regular practice.

It is also essential for a person to get aware of their health conditions for the early implementation of control measures regarding the disease. The cause of hypertension is also not affected by an individual's current economic status, but by the lifestyle.

References

Blush, J. A. (2016). Integrative treatment of hypertension: A clinical and mechanistic

approach. Boca Raton: CRC Press

MacGregor, G. A., & Stowasser, M. (2016). Hypertension. Abingdon: Health Press

Madden, B. (2015). Treatment of Pulmonary Hypertension. Cham: Springer International Publishing

Mancia, G., & European Society of Hypertension. (2019). Manual of hypertension of the European Society of Hypertension. CRC Press/Taylor & Francis Group

Nadar, S., & Lip, G. Y. (2015). Hypertension. Erscheinungsort nicht ermittelbar: Verlag nicht ermittelbar.

Soni, M., Sethi, B., & Arora, A. (2012). Transdermal Delivery a newer approach for the

treatment of hypertension: Treatment of Hypertension; An modern approach.