Paul Modafferi, Ph.D., held a seminar at Capital Regional Medical Group center Thursday, Jan. 14, on hypertension and obesity, which raised several precautionary measures that should be considered.
He shared valuable information on the various types of hypertension and his personal thoughts about hypertension and obesity.
Hypertension is a medical condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is persistently elevated. There are two types of hypertension: primary hypertension and secondary hypertension. Primary hypertension has no identifiable cause and secondary hypertension has an identifiable cause.
Modafferi, family nurse practitioner and speaker of the seminar, explained the importance of the event.
“I see hypertension patients all day,” Modafferi said. “I would say that about 30 percent of my patients that come in have hypertension or a related issue.”
Modafferi said he has witnessed many people in their 20s suffering from cases of hypertension, and in some cases even death.
Robert Visk, retired, concurred with Modafferi’s testimonies and also expressed the value of all ages knowing about the specifics of hypertension.
“When Modafferi spoke about young adults dying in their 20s, that really spoke to me,” Visk said. “I think people of all ages need to take heed to this information.”
According to Modafferi, primary hypertension is a chronic progressive disorder that affects 30 percent of adults, which can also lead to kidney disease and stroke.
According to Modafferi’s provided research, primary hypertension affects mainly African-Americans, obese people, Mexicans and postmenopausal women.
Modafferi explained that there are different causes of hypertension, such as cocaine abuse, steroids or even caffeine
Lee Harvey, Tallahassee resident and health student at Florida State University, explained that his wife has hypertension and also suffers from heart disease.
“A lot of times we get medications but they’re unclear,” Harvey said. “It was nice to get a clear picture of what certain medications are, how they work and why they worked.”
Modafferi provided ways for maintenance and prevention of hypertension. The list included weight loss, sodium restrictions, alcohol consumption and a strict diet.
Lauren McCormack, a marketing and community manager, explained that she thought the event was very beneficial and believes she has to be healthy since her mother suffers from hypertension.
“I feel like you have to be healthy working in the health field. I believe I have to be a representative of the product,” McCormack said.
Modafferi explained that his ultimate goal of the event was to inform the community on everything he could about hypertension. He expounded on his person goals as a physician as well.
“I didn’t spend 15 years in college to do nothing. Our goal is to make sure our patients are healthy and that they’re on the right track to getting healthy,”Modafferi said.
For more information visit http://capitalregionalmedicalcenter.com/.