Learning Outcomes
Understand the basics of hypertension.
Know how blood pressure is measured, diagnosed, and treated.
Identify modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors for hypertension.
Why do Coaches Need to Know This?
In the United States, 33.5% of adults aged 20 and over have high blood pressure. Furthermore, a disproportionate amount of people living with high blood pressure don’t know that they have it. Hypertension is linked to serious medical conditions like heart attack, stroke, chronic heart failure and kidney disease. As a health coach, you should be familiar with the modifiable behaviors and risk factors that contribute to higher risk of hypertension and the steps that can be taken to prevent and control high blood pressure and its complications.Hypertension is largely interconnected with other topic areas discussed throughout this module series.
ICHWC Content Outline for Chronic Disease
The coach often works with clients living with chronic medical conditions, as well those who are not yet ill, but are increasing their risk through unhealthy behavior. The coach should have a basic understanding of common chronic diseases and conditions including hypertension, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, and a constellation of symptoms known as metabolic syndrome, which together place individuals at higher risk for heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and some cancers. Inflammation is one of the key pathophysiological processes that underlie most chronic diseases, and a rudimentary understanding of the role of inflammation in disease should also be recognized.
- Pre-Quiz
- Readings
- Blood Pressure Basics
- Measuring Blood Pressure
- Risk factors for hypertension including:
- Application Part 1
- Application Part 2
- Post-Quiz and Reflection