Hypertension is the medical terminology for high blood pressure. According to the American Heart Association, approximately one in three U.S. adults have high blood pressure. When this takes place, you have an increased risk for kidney failure, heart attack, heart failure and stroke. There is no known causes for hypertension to occur, but there are many strategies to help treat it.
Medications
Diuretics, also called water pills, can be prescribed by your doctor. These drugs help your kidneys eliminate excess water and sodium from your body, which helps lower your blood pressure.
Beta blockers are drugs that cause your heart to beat a slower pace without as much force. They do this by opening the blood vessels and reducing the workload on your heart.
For people who have coronary artery disease, kidney failure or heart failure, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are one of the best types of medications to use. These help block the formation of a natural chemical that causes blood vessels to become narrow.
Calcium channel blockers can help slow down your heart rate and relax the muscles of the blood vessels around your heart.
Alpha blockers reduce the effects of natural chemicals that cause narrow blood vessels by reducing nerve impulses to them. Alpha-beta blockers not only reduce the nerve impulses, but they also slow down your heart rate.
Vasodilators help prevent narrowing of the arteries by keeping the muscles from tightening in the arterial walls.
DASH Diet
The DASH diet was designed to help lower blood pressure. It stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. To follow this diet, eliminate foods that are high in saturated fat, total fat and sodium. Put an emphasis on fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, whole grains and foods high in potassium. The Mayo Clinic recommends limiting your sodium intake to 1,500 mg a day.
Weight and Activity
Losing weight and exercising can help lower your blood pressure. Monitor your caloric intake and make sure not to overeat. If you are overweight, try to burn more calories than you consume. Aim for 30 minutes of exercise, such as walking, playing sports, swimming, biking, stepping and rowing, every day of the week.
Stress Reduction
Stress can have a negative affect on your blood pressure. Keep your stress and anxiety levels under control by participating in relaxation activities like meditative breathing, muscle relaxation, tai chi and yoga. Be sure to get adequate amounts of sleep every night.
Alcohol Reduction
Alcohol can raise your blood pressure, even if you are otherwise in perfect health. If you're going to drink, do it in moderation. According to the Mayo Clinic, this means up to one drink a day for women and everyone over age 65, and two drinks a day for men.
Smoking should also be avoided altogether because it can cause damage to your blood vessels and harden your arteries.
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