Managing High Blood Pressure
If you've been diagnosed with high blood pressure,
your health care provider will work with you
to develop a treatment plan that's right for
you. Depending on the cause of your high blood
pressure, your treatment plan may include lifestyle
changes, medication or a combination of both.
Lifestyle Changes
When high blood pressure is caused by lifestyle factors, the most effective
way to control it can be to change your behavior. If you've been diagnosed
with hypertension,
your health care provider may suggest the following:
Achieve ideal body weight. Losing weight
is the most effective non-clinical way of lowering
your blood pressure. Ask your doctor what your
ideal weight should be. He or she may recommend
a diet and exercise plan to help you achieve
this weight.
Restrict salt intake. The American
Heart Association recommends that healthy adults
have no more than 2400 mg of sodium or 1
1/4 teaspoons of salt per day. You
can track your sodium intake by reading nutrition
labels and limiting the amount of table salt
you use. If you have high blood pressure, your
doctor may recommend a low-sodium diet.
Limit alcohol intake. Generally, you
should have no more than three drinks a day.
However, depending on your situation, your
doctor may recommend that you have fewer than
three drinks or that you avoid alcohol completely.
Quit smoking. Talk to your doctor about
the best ways to quit smoking. Keep a journal
and record each time you have a cigarette,
how you are feeling when you have that cigarette
and if the urge to smoke was brought on by
stress, hunger or boredom. Share the journal
with your doctor and ask for suggested programs
or methods that can help you quit.
Exercise. Regular aerobic exercise
and daily physical activity play a major role
in the prevention of high blood pressure, obesity,
diabetes and heart disease. Aerobic exercise
involves continuous movement of the large muscle
groups in your arms and legs. These exercises
benefit the heart by making it beat faster
and more efficiently. If performed daily, even
moderate activities, such as gardening and
housework, can have long-term health benefits.
Blood Pressure Medication
There are four types of blood pressure medications, each made up of numerous
medicines. Each type acts in a different way to lower your blood pressure.
- Diuretics
Medicines that increase the elimination of sodium.
- Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
and angiotensin receptor blockers
Medicines that inhibit blood pressure-raising
hormones.
- Alpha blockers, beta blockers, or combined
alpha and beta blockers
Medicines that work through the involuntary
nervous system to decrease pressure.
- Calcium channel blockers
Medicines that reduce blood vessel constriction
by interfering with the effects of calcium
in the blood vessel wall. These medications
do not affect blood calcium levels.
- Vasodilators
Medicines that lower blood pressure by dilating
arteries to decrease overall pressure in
the circulatory system.
It is often possible to control blood pressure
with one or two medicines, but patients with
complex hypertension may require more than two
medications.
Remembering to take your medicine, knowing which
medications and dosages to take, and writing
this information down are important aspects of
your treatment.
Also, be sure to ask your doctor the following
questions:
- When should I take the medicine?
- What should I eat or drink with the drug,
or how long should I wait before or after
a meal to take it?
- What are the drug interaction precautions?
With prescription medicines? With over-the-counter
medicines?
- What should I do if I run out of the medicine?
- What should I do if I forget to take a
dose?
- Are there any other special instructions?
Pay attention to how you feel while taking your
blood pressure medication. Call your doctor immediately
if you notice any side effects or if you think
you are having a reaction to your medicine.
Reviewed by: Emile Mohler, MD
Last Updated: December 2001
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