Hypertension, Don't Ignore It!

Areas in which you can make healthy lifestyle changes...

The following are lifestyle factors that when properly managed can help you reach your blood pressure goal:

Smoking

Smoking can lead to the build-up of plaque, clogging the blood vessels that supply the heart. A smoker's risk of heart attack is double that of non-smokers. However, American Heart Association reports have shown that quitting smoking can eventually repair the damage done by smoking.

Alcohol

Drinking too much alcohol can raise blood pressure and adds unnecessary calories to your diet. If you drink alcoholic beverages, drink only a moderate amount. This means one drink a day for women, and two drinks a day for men. Pregnant women should not drink any alcohol.

According to the National Institute of Health, the following count as one drink: 12 ounces of beer (regular or light, 150 calories), 5 ounces of wine (100 calories), or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof whiskey (100 calories).1

Exercise

Exercise and physical activity help strengthen your heart, reduce stress, and help you lose weight—all of which can help lower your blood pressure. Before you engage in any physical activity consult with your doctor to determine a regimen that's right for you.

Diet

Statistics show that many people who have high blood pressure are also overweight. Maintaining a healthier, low-fat diet can help you lose weight and may lower your blood pressure.    


Salt (sodium) intake

Many people consume far more salt than their bodies actually need. Reducing the amount of salt in your diet can help lower your blood pressure.

Stress

Stress can come from many places—your job, financial pressures, family issues. It can also contribute to high blood pressure. Look for ways to reduce the stress in your life and you may find that your blood pressure improves.

Lifestyle changes may help, but they may not be enough

For many people, exercise and making healthier food choices are helpful, but not enough to get them within a healthier blood pressure range (less than 140/90 to 120/80 mm Hg or below).2 In this case, there are many different blood pressure medications that can help.  The right treatment can help you manage and lower your numbers.

Though high blood pressure is a disease that cannot be cured, it can be managed over time through a combination of diet, exercise, and the right medication. You may find that determining the right medication can seem overwhelming, but educating yourself about the different options and talking with your doctor can help.

Understanding high blood pressure medication

You may hear your doctor refer to antihypertensives, which is a term used to classify high blood pressure medications. There are several types of antihypertensives and each affect your body's blood pressure differently. Your doctor will be able to determine which one is best for you.

The following is a look at some of the different blood pressure medications and how they work:
 
Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), which work by blocking a chemical that causes your blood vessels to constrict (tighten or narrow). This action can cause high blood pressure. When the chemical is blocked, blood vessels relax so that blood can flow more easily.
 
ACE inhibitors, which stop the body from converting a chemical in your body called angiotensin I into a chemical called angiotensin II. Angiotensin II causes blood vessels to narrow. This raises your blood pressure. ACE inhibitors prevent harmful effects of angiotensin II from being produced and exerting its harmful effects on blood vessels.

Diuretics, also known as "water pills," which work by flushing excess sodium and water from the body. This reduces blood volume, which helps lower blood pressure.
 
Calcium channel blockers, which prevent calcium from entering the muscle cells of the heart and blood vessels. This causes the blood vessels to relax, so your blood pressure is lowered.
 
Beta blockers, which lower blood pressure by acting on the nervous system. These drugs slow the heart, so it doesn't work as hard to pump blood through blood vessels. This allows blood pressure to drop.

Direct Renin Inhibitors (DRIs), which work in the body by helping vessels relax and widen so blood pressure is lowered.

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