High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a common condition that affects most people at some point. High blood pressure can be caused by the thickening or hardening of your arteries. Sometimes, kidney problems or congenital defects can cause high blood pressure. Some factors that can contribute to hypertension include obesity, a lack of exercise, severe stress and a diet that includes too much salt. High blood pressure can be very serious, especially if it is allowed to go on uncontrolled for many years.
If you are diagnosed with high blood pressure, you will need to work closely with your doctor to keep it under control. Fortunately, there are medications and lifestyle changes that can lower your high blood pressure.
Step 1
Take any and all medications that your doctor prescribes. Some medications that you may take include ACE inhibitors, which help your heart to work more efficiently, a diuretic to help your body expel excess fluid, and beta blockers, which can make your heart pump more slowly. All of these, individually or in combination, can work to lower your blood pressure. Keep all followup appointments so your doctor can monitor your condition and change your medications if warranted.
Step 2
Be aware of any side effects that your medication can cause, and call your health care provider if they are serious or bothersome. ACE inhibitors, for example, can cause kidney problems. Beta blockers can interfere with your body's symptoms of low blood sugar, making it hard to determine whether your blood sugar levels are lower than normal without a glucose test.
Step 3
Change your diet. Limit the amount of salt you consume. Ask your doctor or nutritionist about the DASH, short for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet, and follow it if recommended. Cut back on the amount of alcohol that you drink, as alcohol can raise your blood pressure.
Step 4
If you smoke, stop, because smoking can exacerbate hypertension. Talk to your doctor about nicotine patches or other ways that you can stop smoking. Look into a support group if you think that might help you to quit smoking.
Step 5
Reduce the stress in your life. Consider counseling, breathing exercises or yoga. Exercise more, as exercise can reduce stress and improve your overall health. Cut out unnecessary activities if they are causing you stress. Too much stress can cause or worsen high blood pressure.
Step 6
Use a blood pressure monitor between doctor's appointments. Checking your blood pressure each day in the comfort of your home can give you and your doctor an accurate picture of what your blood pressure is on a daily basis. If you notice that your blood pressure is rising, contact your doctor.
Step 7
Consider alternative treatments. See a naturopath to discuss the possibility of using natural treatments such as cocoa, cod liver oil, omega-3 fatty acids or garlic to control your high blood pressure.
