Hypertension is similar to trying to squeeze toothpaste from a tube through a small hole--the condition increases blood pressure, the force needed for the heart to pump blood against hardened arteries.
Blood pressure is recorded as two numbers; a systolic pressure that measures the force of the heart as it beats and a diastolic pressure that measures the force when the heart relaxes. A systolic pressure of greater than 140 is considered hypertension. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 32 percent of Americans over the age of 20 have high blood pressure. There are multiple options for treating hypertension.
Lifestyle Modifications
The first modality for altering blood pressure is lifestyle modifications. The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends the immediate cessation of tobacco use in addition to weight loss, dietary change to a low-salt, low cholesterol diet, 30 minutes of exercise daily and stress reduction techniques. DASH, or Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, is the recommended diet by the National Institute of Health and the Mayo Clinic.
Medications
Diuretics, or water pills, are the first-line drugs for treating hypertension. These pills help to flush out excess fluid from the body, which can help lower blood pressure. If diuretics alone are not effective, than there are multiple other types of pills that can help lower blood pressure. They are classified as calcium channel blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme, or ACE, inhibitors, beta-blockers, alpha-blockers and angiotensin receptor blockers, or ARBs, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. It is necessary to consult with a physician in order to begin taking these medications.
Alternative Therapies
Insomnia has been shown to have a strong connection with hypertension. Getting the appropriate sleep each night can help control blood pressure, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
