The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1940-10-05
VITAL ISSUES
BY Robert II. Montgomery. MD.
High Blood Pressure

ical research are inclined 10 feel
quite proud OF scientific achieve
mems made in the last few days.
because OF facts uncovered with
are contributing forces in increas-
inr the average span Of life OF the
individual from thirv-o odd years
TO nearly sixty years. This great
increase In life expectancy has
heen due almost wholly TO a re-
ducilon OF the death rates OF chill
dren through better prenatal care
and improved methods OF proven
ton and treatment OF diseases Of
childhood However. little prog
ress has been made in determin :.
Inc means OF coping with the dis
eases OF adults and the aged.
II further progress is 70 be made
in extending the life span. more att
tentlon must be given the ailments
OF later life
The chief affliction OF the aged is
heart disease. Annually over half
the death OF older peoples are lie
10 heart disease and in the major
ity Of these cases the type OF heart
disease was what is known as n.y.
periension or high blood pressure
Because OF THIS fact and because no
oihcr disease gives the palien; 50
great an opportunity to do so much
To improve his own condition. a
more general knowledge OF the sub
jet might be OF more help 70 the
many many sufferers OF this con
diton
HAptftension is a functional dis
inrbance OF the entire system OF
blood vessels which results In a
h.eh blood pressure The cause Of
The conditions is vague and rather
obscure There seems to be def
niieiy hereditary predisposiiion to
the disease or family history may
dise'os It's existence in one gen
GRAFTON after another.
Young people are rarely suffer-
cts 81 high blood pressure. It's
higacst Frequency occurring among
people Of the thirty to sixty year,
OF a-c croup Usually il ono reach
os me age OF thirty IN good health
he may safely expect no Develop
mont of tho disease later. Men
seem less susceptible To the dis
easo than women Fat people are
more frequently sufferers than
slender people Those classed a.
'elui'onous eaters" heavy drink
ers nccsSant smokers. the highly
emotional are easy victims Poo
pic incring from lead poisoning.
syphilis gout. hypcrfhy roisism.
eic may develop apprehension.
Though the diagnosis or The dis
case Is 10 be made only hy an ar-
orrate determination OF the acflal
blood pressure. thcrc arc mary
symptoms which The patient may
consider as indicators and as suf
hcieni reason 10 sock tho advice ~
his family physician Among tho
most frequent symptoms arc head
ache, dizziness ringing in the ears.
disturbance of tho stomach eastrics.
palpiiaton Of the heart pam arounl
the heart often 70 The lcff should
er rapid heart boar since there IS
so much thai Tho patient can do
Tor himself 10 help control the con
dition everyone so afflicted ought
10 possess some knowledge 81 tho
treatment The management Of The
disease hinges upon these thing.
rest, diet and medicines
Rest 4 much moro important
than generally believed and ono
should secure for himself mental
as we'll as physical rest. bccauso
worry and nervous or emotional
npscts have as much AFFECT on tho
aggrava'icr OF the condition as *
cessivelv long hours of physical
toll. PLENTY ~ sleep AZ regular
hours In midday or mid-aftcrnoon
where possible are necessary Ono
day OF complete rcst each week
with two 20 four weeks restfuI va
cation each year will do much 10
prolong lifo All forms Of excite
ment md great crowds are ~
he avoided
As 10 diet II should he as
moderate as possible. food should
he nuiriiive rather than fatteninr
And should take The physicians al
vice Highly seasoned food should
he avoided sufficient green vege-
tables and fruits are the order 81
The day. with chicken or other fowl
fish, mutton and lamb as the meats
~ choice Excessive amounts ~
beef and pork are To he avoided
The use of drugs. obviously. is 10
he controlled and supervised by
the physician
The sufferer Of high blood pres
sure must remember that his phv-
sician Is the one qualified N dag.
nose his condition. Although in
the vast majority OF cases there is
no known cure the patient should
gain some degree ~ satisfaction IN
realizing that by cooperation with
his medical advisor. he can look
forward 10 as full a period Of life
expectancy as others not afflicted.
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