High Blood Pressure Treatment Options
If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure (HBP), your physician will develop a treatment plan. Most of the HBP problems can be controlled and managed in the initial stages by simply making lifestyle changes. Medication is prescribed in the late stage of HBP that cannot be controlled only with lifestyle changes. High blood pressure treatment can include both medication and lifestyle changes. If your HBP issue is due to another medical condition, an improvement in that condition may be able to solve your HBP problem.
Calculating the Risk Factors
Your doctor will assess the factors that could likely increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke. The healthcare professional will take into account your age, sex, race, cholesterol levels, and blood pressure for this evaluation. Your smoking habit and any medication for this or another health issue will determine the best treatment plan for you.
Lifestyle Changes
Most individuals, when diagnosed with high blood pressure for the first time, are recommended only lifestyle changes. These changes are sufficient to lower blood pressure or help control and manage it. The patient is advised to make healthy lifestyle changes and adopt heart-friendly options.
Regular Physical Activity
It is recommended even for healthy individuals, so there is no way it will not be recommended to people needing high blood pressure treatment. Regular physical activities like exercises successfully lower and control increased blood pressure levels.
Even modest physical activities may be sufficient. Always consult your physician in selecting the right exercise program. The exercises you choose should be suitable for your age and health. You can include different exercise options in your exercise regimen to avoid getting bored doing the same workout every day.
Maintain Healthy Weight
Overweight individuals face an increased risk of HBP. Losing weight can bring down HBP as the heart exerts less to supply blood to the body.
Avoid or Quit Smoking
Smoking increases your blood pressure, so it is better to avoid smoking if you want to lower your BP. It is better to quit smoking not only for that reason but also to maintain good health – you will also avoid the risk of diseases like lung cancer.
Avoid Alcohol
Alcohol has high sugar levels and calories, increasing your risk of becoming overweight and developing HBP. It interferes with the stretching ability of blood vessels, so they remain narrow, leading to increased blood pressure. Avoid alcohol or drink in moderation to bring down your BP. Drinking less will also help you reduce the risks of heart attack and stroke. Complete avoidance of alcohol is recommended when your blood pressure level remains consistently high.
Limit Sodium Intake
Be careful when consuming processed foods as they are high in sodium (salt). The recommended amount of sodium for a person is 1500 mg per day.
Keep Your Stress Level Under Control
Reducing stress can improve not only your mental health but also your physical one. It will help bring down your increased blood pressure. You can control your stress level by using relaxation techniques, yoga, meditation, counseling, and taking the help of support groups.
Sleep Sufficiently
Adults are recommended 7-9 hours of sleep every day. Develop a good bedtime routine and manage the factors that affect a good night’s sleep. You can take a nap during the daytime if you feel overworked and exhausted.
Limit Caffeine Intake
Caffeine is known to increase alertness but may also affect an individual’s BP. Its effects usually appear 30 minutes after taking it, and the peak effect can be noticed 1-2 hours after its consumption. Due to its negative effect on blood pressure, people with HBP are asked not to drink coffee before taking BP reading.
These lifestyle changes are recommended as high blood pressure treatment for individuals who have initial stages of HBP. These suggestions are also given in the later stages of HBP, but then the patient also receives medication.
Medications for High Blood Pressure Treatment
The medicines prescribed to you for controlling and managing high blood pressure will depend on your diagnosis, BP level, and overall health. It can take some trial and error to see which combination of medicines works best for you. You have to take your BP reading every day to see if you are able to manage your HBP and progress rightly to achieve your BP goal. You should try to achieve the BP goal of 130/80 mmHg.
Contact Dr. Shimon Storch for online high-blood pressure consultation. Dr. Storch will examine your diagnostic reports and then offer guidance about the best way to handle your HBP issue. You should consult your physician before implementing these recommendations. Visit this website to start the consultation with Dr. Storch.
