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[C1015]Control High Blood Pressure

by Paul J Johnson, Pau

However, not every woman who uses these methods of birth control will experience high blood pressure, as there are many factors involved that generally determine the degree of risk each woman faces.

Nevertheless, the reason why hormonal birth control high blood pressure risk exists, is because these contraceptives contain progestins. Progestin is a type if drug that mirrors the activity of the hormone progesterone which naturally occurs in the female body.

It is common for progestin to slightly raise the blood pressure in most women who take hormonal birth control, and it is the cause of high blood pressure when it occurs.

The risk of birth control causing high blood pressure increases for a woman based on the following factors:

 Age - As a woman ages (usually mid 35 and older), her chances of developing high blood pressure increases.

 Duration of use - The longer a woman uses the pill or patch, the greater the chances of high blood pressure occurring.

 Pre-existing condition - Women who have previously experienced episodes of consistent high blood pressure, even only if it was during pregnancy, are at a greater risk.

 Family history - Women who have a family history of hypertension could be at a greater risk.

 Obesity - a woman who is obese has a greater risk of developing high blood pressure.

Hormonal contraception is one of the most convenient and effective methods of birth control, but it is a fact that high blood pressure occurs 2- 3 times more frequently in women who take hormonal contraceptives than those who use other methods.

Therefore, if you take the pill or are using the patch - regardless if you have any of the above increased risk factors or not - have your doctor check your blood pressure every year.

Should you discover you have developed high blood pressure, you should stop taking hormonal contraceptives and seek out other birth control methods. Once off the pill or the patch, your blood pressure should return to normal within 3 to 6 months.

Keep in mind that although you can take hormonal methods of birth control if you have high blood pressure that is being regulated with medications, you will need to have your blood pressure closely monitored by your doctor. Nonetheless, it is strongly advised that anyone who had, has, or is at a greater risk of developing high blood pressure, use other birth control methods.

The following are safe methods of birth control that doesn't put a woman at high blood pressure risk:

 Barrier birth control methods - condoms, diaphragm, sponge, cervical cap. Each of these methods is disposed of after sexual intercourse.

 Birth control injection - DepoProvera is a shot containing synthetic progestin (different from the pill and patch) administered via a needle every three months. DepoProvera a long-term method of birth control.

 Birth control implant - Norplant is a progestin capsule that is inserted into the upper arm and lasts for 5 years. An IUD (intrauterine device) is a T-shaped device that is inserted into the uterus (and can last a year or 10 years depending on the type) and is very effective at preventing pregnancy. The IUD is recommended for those women who are in a long-term monogamous relationship.

Keep in mind that even though the above do not directly impact high blood pressure, the shots and implants do have side effects, and none of the above contraception (including the pill and patch), except for the condom, prevent the transmission of STD's (sexually transmitted diseases). Therefore, make sure you discuss your contraceptive options with your health care provider if birth control high blood pressure is a risk factor for you.

Those who are found to be suffering from early / uncomplicated hypertension should adopt the following non-pharmacological measures, i.e. measures without the usage of antihypertensive drugs to lower high blood pressure and to prevent its further rise. If these measures are strictly followed, a lower dose of antihypertensive drug may be sufficient, if required at all. Although control of blood pressure can be achieved by medication, i.e. by the administration of antihypertensive drugs, the drugs have got their own side effects. Above all, it should not be forgotten that our ultimate goal is primary prevention of hypertension. The measures are:

(i) Low salt intake - Only 2-4 g of salt should be taken, otherwise the blood pressure will rise. We usually recommend that the patient takes minimum salt in each meal, preferably in one cooked vegetable only. It should be avoided in curd and salad. Avoid pickles, pepper, snacks, sauce, etc. as they contain a lot of salt.

(ii) More potassium, i.e. citrate fruits like orange, etc. should be taken.

(iii) Exercises like brisk walking/jogging should be followed under strict medical advice, because only limited activity is allowed in the case of persons suffering from severe hypertension, or its omplications.

(iv) Reduction of weight is required, if one is overweight.

(v) A high-fibre diet (i.e. green vegetables, whole cereals, unpolished rice, etc.) is useful.

(vi) Shavasna - Regular Shavasna should be undertaken. It is highly beneficial for the control of hypertension. In mild cases the blood pressure may be fully brought down to normal levels, while in moderate to severe cases, doses of antihypertensive drugs can be brought down.

This asana is a conscious skeletal muscle relaxation exercise, and is strongly recommended for hypertensive patients.

In this asana, the patient is required to lie down straight on his back at a quiet place, limbs slightly apart and eyes closed. He is then required to breathe slowly through his nose, and start relaxing his muscles from below upward. He may say the word of his choice, e.g. 'Om', 'God', 'Waheguru', 'Allah', every time, while breathing out. It should be carried out once or twice daily for about half an hour.

The patient should remain awake and be alert during this therapy. It should not be undertaken immediately after meals.

It may be again said that if the above measures are religiously followed, this occult disease, i.e. hypertension, can be prevented in most cases.

Drugs should only be taken when the above measures of prevention fail. These should be given judiciously during pregnancy to avoid fetal complications. Most antihypertensive drugs, besides causing various side-effects, also cause postural hypotension. In postural hypotension, the patient is likely to fall down if he suddenly stands up after a long spell of sitting/ lying down. To avoid this, the patient is required to stand for a while with support so as to be sure regarding his stability. A patient with this tendency should not pass urine in a standing position during the night. He should sit down to pass urine.

Needless to say, as is done in case of diabetes, the only way to diagnose hidden cases of high blood pressure is to have blood pressure measured in all persons, including children. Medical camps should be organized for the purpose. A single reading of blood pressure in a sitting posture is usually enough for population surveys. Blood pressure must be taken at least twice in childhood; adults should have their blood pressure taken every five years. Above the age of 40, it must be measured once or twice a year.

More frequent check-up of blood pressure is required, irrespective of age, if you have any of these conditions - a family history of high blood pressure, kidney trouble, a persistent morning headache. In all these cases, there is a need to be extremely watchful. Again, if you are obese, addicted to alcohol and smoking, a high-salaried person, ,a sedentary worker, the danger signal is always there. In addition, if a person is sensitive to cold, is diabetic, or is pregnant, immediate/frequent attention is required.

Hence a simple reading of blood pressure, taken in time, can save an individual from the various fatal complications of high blood pressure, which remains occult/hidden for long, and it is rightly called the 'silent human killer'. Early detection is, indeed, a boon, as one is able to take preventive measures in time and save oneself from ensuing complications, not to take into account the daily expenditure on medicines.

Article Source : Omron

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Both Paul J Johnson & Safron Jeen 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.

Paul J Johnson has sinced written about articles on various topics from Blood Pressure, Anger Control and Blood Pressure. Grab your free copy of Paul Johnson's brand new Blood Pressure newsletter - Overflowing with easy to implement methods to help you find out about. Paul J Johnson's top article generates over 135000 views. to your Favourites.

Safron Jeen has sinced written about articles on various topics from Medicine, Heart Conditions and Blood Pressure. Author sites: , and. Safron Jeen's top article generates over 12100 views. to your Favourites.