Managing Hypertension – What You Can Do

Worldwide hypertension is one of the most commonly diagnosed and potentially serious health conditions. Also known as high blood pressure, the first challenge of this condition is discovering it, as for the most part it is symptom-less. Hypertension affects both men and women of all ages with genetics listed as one of the major contributing factors to this condition.

As all individuals are unique, so is each case of hypertension. However, in most individuals with this condition, there is an abnormality of their arteries; in their tiny arteries most distant from the heart, there is an increased blood flow resistance.

A Strategy for Managing Hypertension

After being diagnosed as having high blood pressure it will be necessary to start taking steps to manage it. Managing hypertension is important from two aspects. First in taking measure to deal with the condition as it currently is, but also as important is to prevent it from getting any worse.

Changes in Lifestyle

Lifestyle changes are first and foremost on the list. It’s important to reduce your salt intake, avoid refined flour and sugar, reduce your fat intake, eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and foods high in fiber. As in any good diet regime, you need to drink plenty of water. The DASH Diet (Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension) outlines a plan recognized by the American Heart Association as effective in the reduction of high blood pressure. Exercise, rest and effective stress management techniques are also measures that have proved beneficial in managing hypertension.

Medical Intervention

If lifestyle changes alone do not bring your blood pressure back in line, or if your condition is already at an alarm stage, your doctor may recommend high blood pressure medication. Drugs typically used to try and manage hypertension include diuretics, beta blockers, and calcium channel blockers. If these fail to bring blood pressure back within the ‘normal’ range, then other medications may be prescribed. The medical approach may depend on whether the hypertension is the problem itself, or if it is the result of another medical condition.

Educate Yourself

Due to the serious nature of hypertension – that being – potentially fatal, it’s a condition that needs to be closely monitored as the symptoms are usually unnoticed or subtle at best. Educating yourself about the disease and implementing the lifestyle changes are proactive steps you can take on your own. Work with your doctor and ask questions to gain as much of an understanding as you can about all that you can do to manage it in hopes of only having to resort to medication when all other measures have failed.