5 percent of the hypertensive patients may be caused by kidney disease, narrowing of certain arteries or structural abnormality of the aorta. Aorta is the largest artery carrying oxygenated blood from the heart to other parts of the body. The condition can be controlled well by medical treatment in most cases.
On the other hand, no reason has been found in the remaining 95 percent of the hypertensive patients. Nevertheless, there is evidence suggesting that these cases may be associated with a combination of hereditary and/or lifestyle-related risk factors. These risk factors include a family history of high blood pressure, a sedentary lifestyle, excessive salt intake, obesity, smoking, stress, excessive alcohol intake, and use of oral contraceptives.
Hypertension cannot be cured once it is developed. However, it can always be controlled by adopting a healthy lifestyle and usually with the help of medication. Generally, hypertensive drugs can be classified as per their functions:
- to get rid of excess fluid and salt from your body.
- to reduce the heart rate and the output of blood from the heart.
- to prevent narrowing of blood vessels by dilating them.
6 common types of drugs that doctors used to treat hypertension are:
1. Diuretics ? The aim of these drugs is to reduce the fluid volume in the body by increasing the excretion of water and salt and dilating the blood vessels.
2. Beta Blockers ? They slow down the heart rate and reduce the anxiety by blocking the action of adrenaline (a hormone produced in the body).
3. Calcium Channel Blockers ?Blood vessels can be dilated and force of contraction of the heart can be reduced by them.
4. Alpha 1 Blockers ? The drugs dilate the blood vessels.
5. Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors ? They block the formation of angiotensin II from angiotensin I.
6. Angiotensin II Receptor Block (ARB) ? These drugs dilate blood vessels by blocking the action of angiotensin II.
Certain drugs may be suitable for different people. One should not insist the doctor to prescribe a particular drug simply because it works very well for other people. Sometimes, this drug may not suit you owing to its side-effects. You should let your doctor decide for you the medications that suit best for you.
To understand hypertension (also known as high blood pressure), it is important to understand the heart. The heart is a pump. It pumps blood through our arteries, sending nourishment to all parts of our body. A pump works by generating pressure. But too much pressure is a problem. Too much force pushing against arterial walls, called hypertension, can strain the arteries and the heart itself. Hypertension contributes to heart attacks and strokes by damaging the inner walls of the arteries and by speeding up the inflammatory process. Hypertension is the number one risk factor for strokes. Why is hypertension a problem? The higher your blood pressure, the higher your risk of stroke, heart attack, congestive heart failure, kidney disease, and even, new research has found, dementia. Hypertension contributes to heart attacks and strokes by damaging the inner walls of the arteries and by speeding up the inflammatory process. Hypertension is the #1 risk factor for strokes. How did you get hypertension? It is easy to get hypertension if you live in the United States and other affluent countries, like England, where most citizens eat diets high in salt and fat and low in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. An Americans lifetime risk of developing hypertension is close to 90%, reported the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute in 2004. What are the symptoms of hypertension? That is part of the problem. Hypertension usually causes no symptoms, so over time, damage to your arteries, heart, and brain can occur before the condition is diagnosed.
What is the right diet for hypertension treatment? Several studies funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute have found that the DASH diet (Dietary Approaches To Stop Hypertension), which is very similar to the Pritikin Eating Plan, lowers blood pressure as well as or better than any drug. Both DASH and Pritikin promote menus that are low in fats, salt, cholesterol, red meat, and sweets; high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans; and moderate in seafood, poultry, nuts, and low fat or nonfat dairy foods.
Meditation Relaxation techniques like yoga, transcendental meditation or any kinds of meditation are found to be very useful methods to control high blood pressure.
Exercise Regular exercise will help to lower the blood pressure. Start with mild exercise like walking and slowly increase your intensity and duration. Rigorous exercise is a risk of having heart attack. Moderate exercise or walking or jogging helps to reduce the diastolic pressure by about 15 - 20 mm of Hg.
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