What is Hypertension?

Hypertension is when blood pressure is higher than normal. It is also known as high blood pressure. Meanwhile, blood pressure measures the force your blood applies on the artery walls. 

When your heart beats, it sends blood into the arteries. This force acting on your blood vessels results in systolic blood pressure, which this the top number on your blood pressure reading. Meantime, diastolic pressure is the pressure in the arteries between beats when the heart rests. The diastolic number is the bottom number on your blood pressure reading. The systolic and diastolic blood pressure determines healthy and unhealthy blood pressure ranges.

What is the Hypertension Symptoms?

There are no hypertension symptoms. Hypertension disorder is called a "silent killer." About one in three Americans suffer from high blood pressure and don't receive treatment because they don't know they have it.

Further, routine checkups are the best way to determine if your blood pressure is high. Nevertheless, these are some of the signs that you can look out for to determine if you have extremely high blood pressure:

• Chest pain
• Breathing difficulties
• Heartbeat irregularity
• Extensive headaches
• Nosebleed
• Fatigue or confusion
• Vision issues
• Urine with blood
• Pounding in your ears, chest, and neck

Seek immediate medical attention if you have any of these symptoms. You may be experiencing a hypertensive crisis, that can lead to a heart attack or stroke.

How to Treat Hypertension?

There are ways to treat hypertension since the complications of hypertension can be dangerous if not treated. If untreated, it can increase your chances of stroke, heart failure, kidney failure, or other medical problems.

To better understand, the following is a breakdown of suggestions that will aid in treating hypertension:

1. By Changing Lifestyle

The treatment of hypertension also involves lifestyle change since what causes hypertension is an unhealthy lifestyle. 

Some of the following recommendations will help if you are hypertensive.

• Consume nutritious foods that are low in sodium and fat. Lesser sodium intake lowers blood pressure, the incidence of hypertension, and cardiovascular disease mortality.
• Increase your physical activity. Your heart will pump more blood with less effort when you engage in regular physical activity.
• Cut back on alcohol. After the withdrawal from alcohol intake, hypertension reverses quickly in most heavy drinkers.
• Lose weight. Use the BMI healthy weight calculator to get your ideal weight, and then read about losing weight if you're overweight. A heavier body causes your blood pressure to rise.
• Decrease your caffeine. Caffeine is a vasoconstrictor that reduces blood vessels' size and can increase blood pressure.
• Refrain from smoking and using tobacco products. Smoking and other tobacco products cause narrow blood vessels and fast heartbeats, leading to high blood pressure.
• Reduce your intake of sugar and refined carbohydrates. A high-sugar diet may substantially impact cardiometabolic diseases such as heart attack, stroke, and diabetes.
• Eat garlic or use supplements containing garlic extract. Garlic supplements, particularly aged garlic extract, have also been shown to lower blood pressure in hypertensive patients.

2. Through Hypertension Medications

Your overall health and blood pressure level will determine the drugs to use to treat your hypertension. Two or more blood pressure medications are generally more effective than one. Choosing the proper treatment or combination of medicines may take time.

Further, learning your target blood pressure level is essential when taking blood pressure medication. As an example, you should aim to have your blood pressure below 130/80 mm Hg if:

• You are a healthy adult aged 65 or older.
• You are a healthy adult under 65 with a 10% or higher chance of acquiring cardiovascular disease in the following ten years.
• You suffer from chronic kidney disease, diabetes, or coronary artery disease.

The optimal blood pressure target varies with age and health factors, mainly if you are over 65.

Meanwhile, Hypertension medications include.

• Water pills (diuretics). These medications for high blood pressure treatment aid in removing sodium and water from the body. They are frequently the first medications used to treat hypertension. Chlorthalidone, hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide), and other diuretics are usual treatments for high blood pressure.
• Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors (ACEI). These drugs help relax blood vessels. They prevent the development of a naturally occurring substance that constricts blood arteries. Examples include Lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), benazepril (Lotensin), captopril, and other drugs.
• Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs). These medicines also have the effect of relaxing the blood vessels in the body. They prevent the action, not the synthesis, of a naturally occurring substance constricting blood arteries. Candesartan (Atacand), losartan (Cozaar), and other ARBs are examples.
• Calcium Channel Blockers. These medications cause the muscles of the blood vessels to relax. Some reduce your heart rate. Amlodipine (Norvasc) and diltiazem (Cardizem, Tiazac, and others) are among them. Calcium channel blockers may be more efficient for older persons than ACE inhibitors alone.

What are the Known Causes of Hypertension?

The hypertension causes are unknown most of the time. But then, about 1 in 20 people contracted the disease due to other health conditions and as a side effect of certain medicines.

Consequently, it helps if you know what causes hypertension so you will be aware of how to prevent the disease or how you have contracted it. Here are some health conditions that can result in high blood pressure.

• Kidney disease
• Diabetes
• Lupus
• Scleroderma 
• Obstructive sleep apnea  
• Glomerulonephritis 
• Hormone problems, such as an underactive thyroid, an overactive thyroid, hyperaldosteronism, and phaeochromocytoma

Meanwhile, the following are some medications that can raise your blood pressure:

• Contraceptive pill
• Some pharmacy cough and cold remedies
• Steroids Prednisone
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs – such as ibuprofen and naproxen
• Some herbal remedies – particularly those containing licorice
• Recreational drugs – such as cocaine and amphetamines
• Selective serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (SSNRI) antidepressants – such as venlafaxine

We Will Help You Manage and Treat Your Hypertension!

When searching “healthcare clinics near me” or “wellness exams in Houston Texas” look no further than Houston Family Practice. Our medical professionals at Houston Family Practice are experienced and highly trained in caring for patients with hypertension. 

If you need more information and assistance in managing hypertension, please reach us through the highlighted name of our clinic.