BLOOD PRESSURE TREATMENT

What is high blood pressure?

Blood pressure is the force at which blood pumps from the heart into the arteries. A normal blood pressure reading is less than 120/80 mmHg. When blood pressure is high, the blood moves through the arteries more forcefully. This puts increased pressure on the delicate tissues in the arteries and damages the blood vessels.

High blood pressure, or hypertension, affects approximately 80 million American adults. The condition is known as a “silent killer” because it usually doesn’t cause symptoms until it has done significant damage to the heart. Since most people have no visible symptoms, they are unaware that they have high blood pressure.

What causes high blood pressure?

The causes of hypertension are multifactorial, meaning there are several factors whose combined effects produce hypertension.

• High salt intake or salt sensitivity: This occurs in certain populations such as the elderly, African Americans, people who are obese, or people with kidney (renal) problems.

• Genetic predisposition to high blood pressure: People who have one or two parents with hypertension have high blood pressure incidence about twice as high as the general population.

• A particular abnormality of the arteries, which results in an increased resistance (stiffness or lack of elasticity) in the tiny arteries (arterioles): This increased peripheral arteriolar stiffness develops in individuals who are also obese, do not exercise, have high salt intake, and are older.

The risks of high blood pressure

When left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to serious health complications, including stroke, heart attack, and kidney damage. Regular visits to your physician can help you monitor and control your blood pressure. A blood pressure reading of 140/90 mmHg or above is considered high. If you’ve recently been diagnosed with high blood pressure, your physician will work with you on how to lower it. Your treatment plan might include treatments, lifestyle changes, or a combination of therapies. Taking the following steps can help bring your numbers down.

What are the signs and symptoms of high blood pressure?

High blood pressure may not have any symptoms and so hypertension has been labeled “the silent killer.” Longstanding high blood pressure can lead to multiple complications including heart attack, kidney disease, or stroke.

Some people experience symptoms with their high blood pressure. These symptoms include:

• Headache

• Dizziness

• Shortness of breath

• Blurred vision

• Feeling of pulsations in the neck or head

• Nausea

How is high blood pressure diagnosed?

To make an official diagnosis of high blood pressure you will need to see your physician. Often your blood pressure will be checked on at least two different visits, at different times of the day. Your physician may ask you to keep a blood pressure log for a short time in order to see your overall blood pressure trends. If your blood pressure is consistently over 140/90, your physician will work with you to determine the best regimen for treating your high blood pressure.

What is the treatment for high blood pressure?

Blood pressure is caused by many different factors, so there are many different treatments. The goal of treating high blood pressure is to keep the blood pressure below 140/90.

Treatments for high blood pressure include:

• Lifestyle modifications:

  • Quit smoking

  • Lose weight

  • Exercise

  • Avoid hard drinks

  • Eat a low-sodium, low-fat diet.

Home Remedies for Managing High Blood Pressure

Get moving

Exercising 30 to 60 minutes a day can help bring down your blood pressure numbers by 4 to 9 mmHg. If you’ve been inactive for a while, talk to your physician about a safe exercise routine. Start out slowly and then gradually pick up the pace and frequency of your workouts.

Follow the DASH diet

Mom is always right, especially when it comes to eating your fruits and vegetables. Following the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet can lower your blood pressure by as much as 14 mmHg. The DASH diet consists of:

• eating fruits, vegetables, and whole grains

• low-fat dairy products, lean meats, fish, and nuts

• eliminating foods that are high in saturated fats, such as processed foods, full-fat dairy products, and fatty meats

It also helps to cut back on desserts and sweetened beverages, such as soda and fruit punch.

Put down the salt shaker

Keeping your sodium intake to a minimum is vital for lowering blood pressure. When you consume too much sodium, your body starts to retain fluid, resulting in a sharp rise in blood pressure. The AHA recommends limiting your sodium intake to 1,500 milligrams (mg) per day. That’s a little over half a teaspoon.

To decrease sodium in your diet, don’t add salt to your food. One teaspoon of table salt has 2,300 mg of sodium! Use herbs and spices to add flavor instead. Table salt isn’t the only culprit when it comes to high sodium. Processed foods also tend to be loaded with sodium. Always read food labels and choose low-sodium alternatives when possible.

Lose excess weight

Weight and blood pressure go hand in hand. Watching your waistline is also critical for controlling blood pressure. The extra fat around your waist, known as visceral fat, is troublesome because it tends to surround various organs in the abdomen. This can lead to serious health problems, including high blood pressure. In general, men should keep their waist measurement to less than 40 inches. Women should aim for less than 35 inches.

Nix your nicotine addiction

Each cigarette you smoke temporarily raises blood pressure for several minutes after you finish. If you’re a heavy smoker, your blood pressure can stay elevated for extended periods of time. People with high blood pressure who smoke are at greater risk for developing dangerously high blood pressure. Even secondhand smoke can put you at increased risk for high blood pressure, as well as heart disease.

Stress less

Given today’s fast-paced world that’s filled with increasing demands, it can be hard to slow down and relax. It’s important to step away from your daily responsibilities so you can ease your stress. Stress can temporarily raise your blood pressure, and too much of it can keep your pressure up for extended periods of time.

It helps to identify the trigger for your stress, such as your job, relationship, or finances. Once you know the source of your stress, you can try to find ways to fix the problem. You can also take steps to relieve your stress in a healthy way. Try taking a few deep breaths, meditating, or practicing yoga.