高血压

Hypertension

常速| 四级 难 | 高考 | 562词 | 3min59s

刘立军供稿

Part I. QUESTIONS

Listen to the interview and choose the best answer to each question you hear.

Q1. What is the main focus of this VOA report?

A. To discuss the global prevalence and dangers of hypertension.

B. To promote exercise as a cure for hypertension.

C. To provide an overview of different types of cardiovascular diseases.

D. To highlight new medical advancements in treating hypertension.

Q2. Why is hypertension often referred to as the “silent killer”?

A. It only affects elderly people.

B. It has no noticeable symptoms.

C. It can be easily cured with medication.

D. It primarily affects children.

Q3. According to Dr. Taskeen Khan, how many lives could potentially be saved by 2050 if global blood pressure control rates improve?

A. 50 million.

B. 60 million.

C. 70 million.

D. 76 million.

Q4. What happens to the arteries in the body when a person has hypertension?

A. They become thinner and more flexible.

B. They carry less oxygenated blood.

C. They thicken, stiffen, or develop clots.

D. They stop functioning completely.

Q5. Based on the text, why is it important to manage stress as part of controlling hypertension?

A. Stress directly increases cholesterol levels.

B. Chronic stress can lead to other health issues.

C. Stress management improves muscle strength.

D. Reduced stress automatically lowers salt intake.

Part II. TRANSCRIPT

Hypertension

Vismita Gupta-Smith: When my mother was detected with hypertension at the age of 60, it was a huge surprise to us as a family. And it was our first time that we were faced with this condition called hypertension. (Q1) Today, we are going to talk about hypertension or high blood pressure. How big is the problem? What exactly happens in your body when you have hypertension, and how can you protect yourself? And here to talk to us about it is Doctor Taskeen Khan. Welcome, Taskeen. Talk to us about hypertension. Why is it called the ‘silent killer’?

hypertension n. 高血压

Taskeen Khan: Thank you, Vismita. Quite excited to talk to you about hypertension. (Q2) And the reason why it’s called a ‘silent killer’ is because it’s completely symptomless. So what you described with your mum walking around, perfectly okay, and then suddenly finding out that you have high blood pressure. And high blood pressure leads to deadly conditions like heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, but is completely symptomless.

Vismita Gupta-Smith: So, Taskeen, how big is this problem of hypertension?

Taskeen Khan: Actually, it’s very common. It affects one in three adults globally, and yet only one in five people are actually controlled for their blood pressure. (Q3) We’ve actually estimated at the WHO that we can save 76 million lives by 2050 if we can increase control rates globally. That’s about the size of South Africa, Vismita.

Vismita Gupta-Smith: So, Taskeen, how did I do?

Taskeen Khan: You did very well. This top number is your systolic blood pressure, which is actually when the heart muscle contracts or beats. And this bottom number is your diastolic blood pressure, which is when your heart muscle relaxes.

systolic adj. 心脏收缩的

diastolic adj. 心脏舒张的

Vismita Gupta-Smith: So, explain to us what exactly happens in our body when we have high blood pressure.

Taskeen Khan: There are vessels in your body called arteries and these arteries carry oxygenated blood to your organs. (Q4) When hypertension occurs, it thickens these arteries or makes them stiff or has little clots in them. And those clots actually travel to the heart or the brain and cause heart attacks and strokes.

artery n. 动脉

oxygenate v. 供氧；输氧

clot n. 凝块；血块

Vismita Gupta-Smith: Taskeen, give us your top tips to manage high blood pressure and also to prevent it.

Taskeen Khan: Of course. So the first thing is to start off like your mom did, seeking medical care, going regularly to the doctor if you are diagnosed with hypertension and taking your medication as prescribed. Personally, Vismita, my own grandmother has hypertension, I diagnosed her and I put her on the same medication that the WHO guideline actually has – really good recommendations there. And also, if you think about your lifestyle, I like to think about it in the ‘Four S’s’. So if you’re smoking, please stop smoking. Reduce sodium or salt in your diet. (Q5) Sleep is very important for the blood pressure and of course reduce your stress.

sodium n. 钠

Vismita Gupta-Smith: Wow, let’s see if I’ve got the ‘Four S’s’. First one, stop smoking. Take less salt, that’s the second S. Sleep more and pay attention to your sleep quality. I’m trying to do that personally. I’m slowly getting there. And what’s the fourth one?

Taskeen Khan: (Q5) Stress less... Stress less.

Vismita Gupta-Smith: That’s easier said than done. But that’s all we have today in Science in 5. Until next time then, stay safe, stay healthy and stick with science.

Part III. KEY

Q1. A. 主旨题。根据开头的“Today, we are going to talk about hypertension or high blood pressure. How big is the problem? What exactly happens in your body when you have hypertension, and how can you protect yourself?”可知此篇以高血压为主题，介绍了高血压的问题、对身体的影响和如何预防，也就是围绕高血压的全球流行情况和危害展开。因此答案为A。

Q2. B. 细节题。根据“And the reason why it’s called a ‘silent killer’ is because it’s completely symptomless.”可知高血压被称为“无声杀手”是因为它完全没有症状。因此答案为B。

Q3. D. 细节题。根据“We’ve actually estimated at the WHO that we can save 76 million lives by 2050 if we can increase control rates globally.”据估计，如果能全球提高控制率，到2050年可以拯救7600万人的生命。因此答案为D。

Q4. C. 细节题。根据“When hypertension occurs, it thickens these arteries or makes them stiff or has little clots in them.”可知高血压会使动脉变厚、变硬或产生血块。因此答案为C。

Q5. B. 推理题。根据“Stress less... Stress less” 可知减少压力是四个S中的第4个建议，压力是与高血压相关的生活方式因素之一，减少压力可以控制高血压，可推测长期压力会引发其他健康问题，进而影响高血压因此答案为B。

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