Drugs
Hypertension is another way of saying "high blood pressure." When blood pressure is elevated, the risk for strokes and heart attacks goes up. The problem with high blood pressure is that it is usually undetectable unless you get it taken by your doctor. When it does appear, it is important to get it treated and keep it under control. One of the treatment options is a type of prescription drugs called "diuretics." These help promote the evacuation of excess water in the system. This excess water causes blood volume to go up in the body which in turn causes high blood pressure.
Blockers
Beta blockers are a form of medication that can also be beneficial to hypertension. These drugs cause the heart to beat slower and with less force by opening the blood vessels. This takes away a lot of the workload that the heart is under. Sometimes these are prescribed in conjunction with diuretics for a better effect.
DASH
The acronym "DASH" stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. This is an eating plan to lower blood pressure, developed by the National Institutes of Health. The main points of this diet are that it is low in saturated fats and sodium and includes foods that are rich in blood pressure-lowering nutrients like magnesium, calcium and potassium. Potassium is a nutrient that helps control blood pressure by flushing sodium from the body. Some main foods in this diet are fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products.
Lifestyle
Being overweight or obese are major risk factors for many diseases, such as diabetes and certain types of cancer. But having extra weight can also be a problem if you have hypertension. Keeping your weight under control can also keep your blood pressure under control. As a matter of fact, according to the Mayo Clinic, losing 5 pounds can help lower your blood pressure. Add 30 minutes of moderate exercise into your daily routine to lower your blood pressure and keep your weight stabilized.
Another lifestyle adjustment that can have a positive impact on your blood pressure is reducing your intake of alcohol and tobacco products. Alcohol should be kept to 1 to 2 drinks a day and smoking should be avoided altogether.
Stress
Stress and anxiety can also have an impact on blood pressure. This can be treated by doing various stress reduction activities like yoga, Tai-chi, meditative breathing and muscle relaxation. Getting the proper amount of sleep can also help reduce stress. The Centers for Disease Control recommend that adults get 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night.
Alternatives
There are also some alternative treatments that can be used for hypertension like specific supplements. Some of these include Omega-3 fatty acids, garlic, alpha-linoleic acid, calcium and cod-liver oil.
