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Heartline Magazine July - September 2004
Cardiac Support Group Publishes Newsletter
Answers, for Cardiac Surgical Patients and their Families. Now is its sixth
year the CSG has decided to publish a quarterly newsletter. Under the leadership
of member Roslyn Butcher, first issue contributors include Beverley Stanford,
Angela Emtage and nurse Stephanie Bryan. Inspiration and mentorship for the
publication came from Dr. Basil Springer. The title, “Cardio Link” was the idea
of Cynthia Dahlia.
The CSG reported in its newsletter that the Joint National Committee (JNC)
on High Blood Pressure in the US has new guidelines which say that any blood
pressure over 115/75 mm Hg increase the risk of death from heart disease and
stroke. The risk doubles for each 20/10 mm hg increase.
The JNC guidelines place patients into four categories:
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Normal – BP < 120/80 (used to be called optimal).
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Pre-hypertensive – BP 120 – 139/80 – 89 (used to be called normal or
“high-normal”).
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Stage 1 hypertension – BP 140 – 159/90 – 99
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Stage 2 hypertension – BP 160/100 or above
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Stage 2 and 3 are now combined because the treatment is the same.
BP goals are < 140/90 for most patients with hypertension or < 130/80 for
patients with diabetes or chronic kidney disease. Diuretics are encouraged,
especially in combination with other drugs. Lifestyle changes such as weight
loss, exercise, limited alcohol intake and smoking cessation are emphasized.
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