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Hypertension / High Blood Pressure | |
How can Hypertension be treated? |
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Goal of treatment is to maintain blood pressure below 140/90 and lower for people with other conditions, such as diabetes and kidney disease. Adopting healthy lifestyle habits is an effective first step in both preventing and controlling high blood pressure.
The major types of medication first chosen to control high blood pressure include: Diuretics: These medications act on kidneys to help the body eliminate sodium and water, reducing blood volume. Beta-blockers: These medications block the effects of certain adrenaline-related chemicals, causing your heart to beat more slowly and less forcefully. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors: These medications help relax blood vessels by blocking the formation of a naturally occurring chemical that narrows blood vessels. Calcium antagonists: Calcium antagonists also known as calcium channel blockers. These medications help relax the muscles of blood vessels. Prevention Healthy diet: Research has shown that following a healthy eating plan can both reduce the risk of developing high blood pressure and lower an already elevated blood pressure. Study shows that hypertension was reduced by an eating plan that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy foods. The diet should include whole grains, poultry, fish, and nuts and has reduced amounts of fats, red meats, sweets, and sugared beverages. Reduce Salt and Sodium in Your Diet: A key to healthy eating is choosing foods containing less salt and sodium. The current recommendation is to consume less than 2.4 grams. This equals to 6 grams or about 1 teaspoon of table salt a day. Reduce your weight: Being overweight increases blood pressure and is also a risk factor for heart disease. Exercise: Being physically active is one of the most important steps you can take to prevent or control high blood pressure. It also helps reduce your risk of heart disease. Quit Smoking: Smoking injures blood vessel walls and speeds up the process of hardening of the arteries. Limit alcohol and caffeine: Even if you're healthy, alcohol and caffeine can raise your blood pressure to an unhealthy level. Reducing your consumption of alcohol can reduce your blood pressure. Control stress: The effects of stress are usually only temporary. But if you experience stress regularly, it can produce increases in blood pressure that can ˇÖ over time ˇÖ damage your arteries, heart, brain, kidneys and eyes. |
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Posted by:
rishigupta02445
Posted on: 04/29/2012 Medical professionals can use some pages to practice taking blood pressure using an online simulator.
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Posted by:
malta(Guest)
Posted on: 03/07/2012 my blood pressure is on always around 225 top number bottom 90 but last few weeks been 238 top bottom 146 i take medication but its not working its been like this for over 12 months im 41 years old female i do not smoke and only have odd drink glass of wine now and again have not had one since xmas how dangerous is this i dont feel very well always tired have no energy how is it affecting my health ?
Posted by:
Rebecca69(Guest)
Posted on: 10/12/2011 Rebecca69
Hi, I have lupus and have never had heart problems before. I have had a dry cough for 2 days and started having chest and arm pain. I went to ER and was told I had a 8 hour wait. Decided to go home. At home I checked my blood pressure and it was 145 over 120. In the morning it was 139 over 119. I usually sit around 105 over 59! I am now 134 over 92. Should I be worried?
Posted by:
Andy77
Posted on: 08/28/2011 I have quit smoking, coming up 4 week!, and i have been monitoring my blood pressure and it has gone up! I have suffered from high BP before so i decided to lose some weight [3.5 stone] and this had a positive effect on my BP it returned to normal, sometime a little high, but now i have quit smoking it is back to high again average results 150/105. what could this be?
Posted by:
christospalmer
Posted on: 06/30/2011 Mine has been as high as 170 over whatever number I can't remember, I'm now on my 2nd med for hypertension, I have constant chest pains, this is a nightmare for me.
Posted by:
Ironba3st(Guest)
Posted on: 04/13/2011 I'm 13. Today, I went to the nurse because I wasn't feeling well, and she took my blood pressure. It read 142/83. Is that considered hypertension?
Posted by:
christospalmer
Posted on: 07/01/2011 It is certainly high and should be lower than that. Anything upto 140/?? is prehypertension. Go and see your doctor and see what might be the problem. |
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