Hypertension is an insidious disease. Patients can have hypertension and not know it until something severe, such as a stroke or heart attack, happens. Blood pressure is determined by the resistance that the heart must pump against and the amount of blood it pumps. It is measured in two numbers: a systolic or top number and a diastolic or bottom number. Normal blood pressure is considered to be anything less than 140/90. The harder the heart works against stiffened arteries, the higher the blood pressure. According to MayoClinic.com, hypertension can cause heart failure, stroke, heart attacks, kidney damage and aneurysms. Fortunately, high blood pressure is treatable.
Lifestyle Changes
The first line of therapy for anyone with high blood pressure is lifestyle changes. Losing weight and quitting smoking can make the difference between needing to take medication or not. According to the reference text "The 5-Minute Clinical Consult," aerobic exercise and weight reduction can lower blood pressure. Cigarettes cause high blood pressure every time a smoker lights up. Quitting smoking can be the single best thing a person does for her health. Learning stress-reduction techniques can help decrease the effect that stress has on blood pressure.
Dietary Changes
Along with the lifestyle changes noted above, dietary changes can make a difference in blood pressure. MayoClinic.com notes that decreasing the amount of sodium or salt in the diet can affect blood pressure. The more salt the body retains, the more fluid it retains. This excess fluid increases blood pressure. According to MayoClinic.com, having too little potassium and vitamin D in the diet can also elevate blood pressure. It is important to consult a physician prior to supplementing with potassium, as too much potassium can cause heart rhythm irregularities.
Medications
For those patients who require medications, the first line of therapy is a diuretic. It is important to remove the excess fluid from the body to lower the blood pressure. "The 5-Minute Clinical Consult" notes that thiazide diuretics have the most proven benefits for treating blood pressure in the way of cost, compliance and effectiveness. If diuretics fail to control blood pressure, there is a host of other types of medications that have proven effectiveness. All blood pressure medications require a prescription and a physician to monitor their effectiveness.
References
- "The 5-Minute Clinical Consult 2010," 18th edition; Frank J. Domino, Ed.; 2010
- Mayo Clinic: High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) - Risk Factors
