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High Blood Pressure Treatments
You
and your health care provider have options for treating your high
blood pressure.
Many
people can lower their blood pressure significantly with lifestyle
changes, such as weight loss and exercise, but most still need
medication to keep their blood pressure in the healthy range.
Whichever
therapy you choose, it is important to have your blood pressure
checked regularly to make sure that your treatment is working.
Uncontrolled
high blood pressure is a leading cause of heart disease, heart
attacks, heart failure, kidney failure, vision problems, and stroke.
The
management and control of high blood pressure involves 2 major
options, lifestyle modification and medications.
Lifestyle
options include changing what you eat and your activity level.
Quitting
smoking and moderating alcohol consumption will also help keep your
blood pressure in the healthy range.
If
you are overweight or obese, lose weight. Aim for a healthy weight
range for your height and body type. Your health care provider can
help you calculate a target weight.
Even
a small amount of weight loss can make a major difference in lowering
or preventing high blood pressure.
To
lose weight, you must burn more calories than you take in.
Physical
activity burns calories, helps you lose weight, and reduces stress.
Physical
activity reduces total cholesterol and bad cholesterol (LDL) and
raises the good cholesterol (HDL).
The
American Heart Association (AHA) recommends at least 30 minutes of
exercise every other day for cardiovascular fitness. The Surgeon
General recommends 30 minutes of physical activity on most days of
the week.
General
tips for controlling blood pressure include the following:
Reduce
sodium (salt) intake.
Limit
alcohol to no more than 2 drinks a day.
Quit
smoking.
Take
medicines as directed.
Medication
is an important part of blood pressure control for almost everybody
with high blood pressure. Many people cannot keep their blood
pressure in the healthy range by lifestyle changes alone.
Only
21% of people with high blood pressure are on blood pressure
medicines and have their pressure adequately controlled.
At
least 16% of people with high blood pressure are not on any
medication.
Approximately
28% are taking medicines incorrectly, and their blood pressure is
uncontrolled.
Therefore,
the biggest challenge in the treatment of high blood pressure is
taking the medication correctly.
In
about half of people with high blood pressure, limiting sodium intake
by eliminating table salt, cooking salt, and salty and processed
foods can reduce blood pressure by 5 mm Hg. Losing weight and doing
regular physical activity can reduce the blood pressure further.
If
these lifestyle changes and choices don’t work, medications should
be added. The medications have been proven to reduce the risk of
stroke, heart disease, and kidney problems. Do not stop taking your
medications without talking to your health care provider.
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