High blood pressure is often referred to as the silent killer because it usually has no symptoms. It is, therefore, very important to have a regular medical check-up. When it is not treated as soon as it's discovered, it can cause the heart to enlarge, which in turn may lead to heart failure. The heart works harder, your arteries take a beating, and your chances of a stroke, heart attack, and/or kidney problems increase considerably.
Your pressure is at its highest when the heart beats, pumping the blood. When the heart is at rest, between beats, your blood pressure falls. When the level stays high consistently for more than three checkups, you are likely to have hypertension.
Many factors are involved in elevating your blood pressure. It is, therefore, highly recommended not to use caffeine, alcohol, or tobacco products at least thirty minutes before your medical. As well, go to the bathroom and rest for three to five minutes before the procedure.
Most doctors will check your blood pressure several times on different days to ensure that, in fact you do have hypertension. Once you know you have the condition, you will need to check the pressure regularly and keep in touch with your family doctor. Talk to your doctor about what is considered high blood pressure for you.
What is high for the majority of people may or may not be so for you. As there are many causes that may show high readings, ranging from nervousness, tension, obesity, heavy alcohol use, family history of high blood pressure, high salt intake, and aging.
Some people will actually show high readings every time they're in a doctor's office whereas, if done at home, or they are in a relaxed frame of mind, the results will be normal. Even routine activities, such as attending a meeting, commuting to work, and exposure to cold can bump up your blood pressure into the high zone
A sedentary lifestyle, stress, low potassium intake, low calcium intake, and resistance to insulin are factors that may cause your blood pressure to rise. Constant headaches, visual disturbances, nausea, and vomiting can be an indication of hypertension and should be checked carefully.
Usually you will not feel any warning signs or symptoms, though. That's why getting your blood pressure checked regularly is of utmost importance to your health. In most cases, a doctor may not be able to pinpoint the exact cause.
Lifestyle issues that are in your control to lower your risk of developing hypertension include obesity, inactivity, lack of regular exercise, alcohol consumption of three drinks a day or more, a diet of salty or processed foods, and a lack of calcium, magnesium, and potassium.
Risk factors you can't control include a family history of high blood pressure, your race (being African-American increases your risk), and aging.
A few simple adjustments in your habits can help keep your blood pressure in the normal zone, or even bring a slightly high reading back to normal. Eating less salt, losing a few pounds, drinking less, and reducing your intake of processed foods can make a difference in your overall health. Find out all you can take control over. Here's to your health!
Before taking Norvasc it is important for a patient to discuss with a doctor any illnesses that they are suffering from, like liver disease, other diseases of the heart or blood vessels that are not related. Illnesses that are important to mention to the doctor are sick sinus syndrome, aortic stenosis, heart failure or low blood pressure. Patients who suffer from these symptoms may still be able to take Norvasc with regular monitoring by their doctor.
Some of the possible severe side effects form taking Norvasc are difficulty in breathing, fast or slow heartbeat, chest pain or dizziness and fainting. Some other severe reactions may be psychosis, jaundice or swelling in the legs and feet. If a patient suffers from any of the above-mentioned symptoms they should seek immediate medical attention.
Some of the less harmful side effects include fatigue, headaches, insomnia and abdominal pain. A patient may also notice nausea or difficulty urinating. If a patient is suffering from any of the above-mentioned side effects, or is experiencing any uncomfortable symptoms they should discuss these with the doctor who prescribed the medication.
This medication is not recommended for women who are pregnant or breast-feeding. Norvasc is known as a category C medication which means that the effects on an unborn baby are not yet known and neither are the risks of the medication being passed on through the milk to a breast-fed baby.
Elderly people, especially those who are over the age of 65, are more likely to suffer from the side effects when taking Norvasc. If this is the case, Norvasc will often be avoided or it may be prescribed at a lower dosage and monitored.
Norvasc should be taken exactly as it has been prescribed and taken with a glass of water, not swallowed dry. It is recommended that patients who are taking Norvasc should under no circumstances stop taking their medication without first consulting with their doctor, as their condition could become worse if the medication is stopped suddenly.
Patients who miss a dose of their medication should skip that dose and continue to their next dose as usual, they should not double the dose. Patients taking Norvasc can overdose. The symptoms of an over dose include dizziness, chest pain shortness of breath, coma or an unusually slow or fast heartbeat. If a patient suspects that they have overdosed on Norvasc they should immediately seek medical attention.
Disclaimer - The information presented here should not be interpreted as or substituted for medical advice. Please talk to your doctor for more information about Norvasc.
Both Ann Stewart & Heather Colman are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Ann Stewart has sinced written about articles on various topics from Religion, Disease & illness and Depression. Ann Stewart, author of With Wings as Eagles, aims to encourage and inspire you to become the person God has purposed you to be: