An Overview of High Blood Pressure TreatmentHypertension, or highblood pressure, is dangerous because it can lead to strokes,heart attacks,heart failure, orkidneydisease. The goal ofhypertension treatmentis to lower high blood pressure and protect important organs, like the brain,heart, and kidneys from damage. Treatment for hypertension has been associated with reductions instroke(reduced an average of 35%-40%), heart attack (20%-25%), and heart failure (more than 50%), according to research.High blood pressure is now classified as a blood pressure greater than 140/90 in people under 60, and greater than 150/90 in people over 60.To prevent high blood pressure, everyone shouldbe encouraged to make lifestyle modifications, such as eating a healthierdiet, quittingsmoking, and getting moreexercise. Treatment withmedicationis recommended to lower blood pressure to less than 140/90 in people younger than 60, and less than 150/90 in people older than 60.Treating high blood pressure involves lifestyle changes and possibly drug therapy.Is Your Blood Pressure in Check?Lifestyle Changes to Treat High Blood PressureA critical step in preventing and treating high blood pressure is a healthy lifestyle. You can lower your blood pressure with the following lifestyle changes: Losingweightif you are overweight or obese. Quitting smoking. Eating a healthy diet, includingthe DASH diet(eating more fruits, vegetables, and low fat dairy products, less saturated and total fat). Reducing the amount of sodium in yourdiet to less than 1,500 milligrams a day if you have high blood pressure. Healthy adults should try to limit their sodium intake to no more 2,300 milligrams a day (about 1 teaspoon of salt). Getting regularaerobic exercise(such as briskwalkingat least 30 minutes a day, several days a week). Limiting alcohol to two drinks a day for men, one drink a day for women.In addition to lowering blood pressure, these measures enhance the effectiveness of high blood pressure drugs.Drugs to Treat High Blood PressureThere are several types of drugs used to treat high blood pressure, including: Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) Diuretics Beta-blockers Calcium channel blockers Alpha-blockers Alpha-agonists Renin inhibitors Combination medicationsDiuretics are often recommended as the first line of therapy for most people who have high blood pressure.However, your doctor may start a medicine other than a diuretic as the first line of therapy if you have certain medical problems. For example, ACE inhibitors are often a choice for a people with diabetes. If one drug doesn't work or is disagreeable, additional medications or alternative medications may be recommended.If your blood pressure is more than 20/10 points higher than it should be, your doctor may consider starting you on two drugs or placing you on a combination drug.High Blood Pressure Treatment Follow-UpAfter starting high blood pressure drug therapy, you should see your doctor at least once a month until the blood pressure goal is reached. Once or twice a year, your doctor may check the level of potassium in your blood (diuretics can lower this, and ACE inhibitors and ARBs may increase this) and other electrolytes and BUN/creatinine levels (to check the health of the kidneys).After the blood pressure goal is reached, you should continue to see your doctor every three to six months, depending on whether you have other diseases such as heart failure.High Blood Pressure Medication Guidelines

Your doctor may prescribemedicationyou can take to lower high blood pressure. If complications associated withhigh blood pressureare present, other drugs may also be prescribed. Whatever the treatment prescribed for you, it is a good idea to keep the following guidelines in mind when you're taking prescription drugs. Know the names of your medications and how they work. Know the generic and brand names, dosages, and side effects of the drugs. Always keep a list of your medications with you. Let every doctor you see know what drugs you take and if your medication or dosage has changed since your last visit. Take medications as scheduled, at the same time every day. Do not stop taking or change your medications unless you first talk with your doctor. Even if you feel good, continue to take your medications. Stopping drugs suddenly can make the condition worse. Have a routine for taking medications. For example, using a pillbox marked with the days of the week, fill the pillbox at the beginning of each week to make it easier to remember. Keep a medication calendar and note every time you take a dose. Prescription labels tells you how much to take at each dose, but your doctor may change the dosage periodically, depending on your response to the drug. On your medication calendar, you can list any changes in dosages as prescribed by your doctor. Do not decrease your medication dosage to save money. You must take the full amount to get the full benefits. If cost is a problem, talk with your doctor about ways you can reduce the costs of your medications. Do not take any over-the-counter drugs or herbal therapies unless you ask your doctor first. Some drugs may interact with each othercausing undesirable effects. If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take two doses to make up for the dose you missed. Regularly fillprescriptionsand ask the pharmacist any questions you have. Do not wait until you are completely out of medication before filling prescriptions. If you have trouble getting to the pharmacy, have financial concerns, or have other problems that make it difficult for you to get your medications, let your doctor know. When traveling, keep drugs with you so you can take them as scheduled. On longer trips, take an extra week's supply of medications and copies of your prescriptions, in case you need to get a refill. Before having surgery with a general anesthetic, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist in charge what drugs you are taking. An antibiotic may need to be prescribed prior to a surgical or dental procedure. Also, let the doctor know if you are taking aspirin and/or any other blood thinners. Some drugs may alter your heart rate, so take your pulse regularly. Drugs that relax constricted blood vessels may causedizziness. If you experience dizziness when standing or getting out of bed, sit or lie down for a few minutes. This will increase your blood pressure. Then get up more slowly.If you have any questions about your medications, don't hesitate to ask your doctor.Track What You EatSome people are not aware of how many calories they eat and drink each day. They may underestimate how much they eat and wonder why they cantlose weight.Writing down the foods you eat, including the portion sizes, can let you see the truth about your food intake. You can then start cutting back -- reducing calories and portions -- to loseweightand manage your blood pressure.Avoid Salt (Sodium)A high-sodium diet increases blood pressure in many people. In fact, the less sodium you eat, the better blood pressure control you might have.To lower the sodium in your diet, try these suggestions: Use a food diary to keep track of the salt in the foods you eat. Aim for less than 2,300 milligrams (about 1 teaspoon of salt) each day. Ask your doctor if you should go lower, to 1,500 milligrams. Read the nutritional facts label on every food package. Select foods that have 5% or less of the Daily Value of sodium. Avoid foods that have 20% or more Daily Value of sodium. Avoid canned foods, processed foods, lunch meats, and fast foods. Use salt-free seasonings.Know What to EatPotassium,magnesium, and fiber, on the other hand, may help control blood pressure.Fruits and vegetablesare high in potassium, magnesium, and fiber, and theyre low in sodium. Stick to whole fruits and veggies. Juice is less helpful, because the fiber is removed. Also, nuts, seeds, legumes, lean meats, and poultry are good sources of magnesium.To increase the amounts of natural potassium, magnesium, and fiber you take in, select from the following: apples apricots bananas beet greens broccoli carrots collards green beans dates grapes green peas kale lima beans mangoes melons oranges peaches pineapples potatoes raisins spinach squash strawberries sweet potatoes tangerines tomatoes tuna yogurt (fat-free)What Is the DASH Diet?Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) is an eating plan rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, poultry, nuts, legumes, and low-fat dairy. These foods are high in key nutrients such as potassium, magnesium,calcium, fiber, andprotein.The DASH dietcan lower blood pressure because it has less salt and sugar than the typical American diet. The DASH diet cuts out desserts, sweetened beverages, fats, red meat, and processed meats.Women who followed the DASH diet for several years reduced their risks ofcoronary artery diseaseandstroke. To start the DASH diet, follow these recommendations (based on 2,000 calories a day): Grains: 7-8 daily servings (serving sizes: 1 slice of bread, 1/2 cup cooked rice or pasta, 1 ounce dry cereal) Vegetables: 4-5 daily servings (1 cup raw leafy greens, 1/2 cup cooked vegetable) Fruits: 4-5 daily servings (1 medium fruit, 1/2 cup fresh or frozen fruit, 1/4 cup dried fruit, 6 ounces fruit juice) Low-fat or fat-free dairy products: 2-3 daily servings (8 ounces milk, 1 cup yogurt, 1.5 ounces cheese) Lean meat, poultry, and fish: 2 or fewer servings a day (3 ounces cooked meat, poultry, or fish) Nuts, seeds, and legumes: 4-5 servings per week (1/3 cup nuts, 2 tablespoons seeds, 1/2 cup cooked dry beans or peas) Fats and oils: 2-3 daily servings (1 teaspoon vegetable oil or soft margarine, 1 tablespoon low-fat mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons light salad dressing) Sweets: less than 5 servings per week. (1 tablespoon sugar, jelly, or jam)Ask your doctor or a dietitian to help you start the DASH diet. They can tell you how many calories you need each day to maintain or get to a healthy weight. And then they can help you plan meals with foods you enjoy that meet the DASH guidelines.