HOW DOES HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AFFECT LIFESTYLE?

People with hypertension should avoid certain activities and situations that may raise their heart rates and blood pressure to dangerous levels. These include the following:

·         Saunas

·         Steam baths

·         Steam rooms

·         Heated whirlpools

·         Hot tubs

·         Very warmly heated swimming pools

                                                                             

It is very important for hypertensives to limit the amount of time spent in these activities to less than 10 minutes, after which they should sit down out of the heat for a few minutes before standing to minimize the risk of dizziness or passing out (syncope).

Hypertensives should also be careful about using certain over-the-counter (OTC) medications that contain vasoconstrictors, which can elevate blood pressure. Such medications include:

·         Eye drops

·         Cold, flu, sinus, and cough medications (especially those containing decongestants)

·         Antihistamines

 

Hypertensives are also encouraged to follow all of their physician’s orders regarding treatment, in order to prevent serious health consequences. However, patients are encouraged to discuss with their physicians any side effects or other concerns that they may have about their treatment.

                                                                                                                                        

ARTIHYPERTENSIVE DRUGS

·         Diuretics: Medications that promote the formation of urine of kidneys, causing the body to flush out excess fluids and minerals, especially sodium. Example Lasix, Ditide, Lasilactone, Amirfru.

·         Alpha blockers and beta blockers: Medications that inhibit alpha and beta receptors in various parts of the nervous system, slowdown the heart rate. These help arteries to relax, decrease the force of the heartbeat and reduce blood pressure. Beta blockers are especially useful in patients with heart disease. Example: Mnipress, Prozopress, Hytrin, Terapres, Inderal, betabloc, Betaloc, Lopressor, Metolar, Aten, Atelol, Atecard, betacard, Tenormin, Tenolol, hipres, Carca, Cadivas, Carloc.

·         ACE inhibitors: These medications are type of vasodilator that help to reduce blood pressure by inhibiting the substances in the blood, that cause blood vessels to constrict. Example: Captopril, Enace, Envas, Normace, Amtas, Acinoprel, Cipril, Listril, Lisicard, Ramace, Cardace, Covance, Repace.

·         Angiotenin II receptor blockers (ARBs): This new class of drugs is showing good results and great promise in reducing hypertension-related complications. Example: Losar, Losacar.

·         Calcium channel blockers: These are type of vasodilator that inhibit the flow of calcium into heart and blood vessel tissues, reduce tension in the heart, relax blood vessels and lower blood pressure.

Many physicians find that using a combination of the above mentioned drugs is more effective and has fewer side effects than using large doses of a single medication.

Example: Vasopten, Calaptin, Angizem, Dilcal, Dilcontin, Diltiaz, Dilzem, Angiblock, Calcigard, Cardipin, Depin, Myogard, Nefedine, Nicardia, Amcard, Amdepin, Amlong, Amlopress, Amlosafe, Amtas, Stamlo, Angi-guard, Amtas AT, Amlovas AT, Amlopress AT.

PRIMARY (ESSENTIAL) HYPERTENSION?

Primary, or essential, hypertension occurs in about 90 to 95 percent of cases and has no known cause. The following are factors that are associated with hypertension and may increase the risk of developing the condition:

·         Stress

·         Family history of hypertension

·         Obesity

·         Lack of regular exercise

·         Smoking

·         Advanced age

·         High caffeine intake

·         Diet high in fats and oils

·         High Cholesterol levels

·         Inherited problems in the body’s angiotensin-renin system, which influences all factors related to controlling blood pressure: blood vessel contraction, heart cell development, sodium and water balance and the “salt genes” which play an important role in the relationship between salt and hypertension.

·         Inherited problems in the body’s sympathetic nervous system, which control heart rate, blood pressure and the width of blood vessels.

·         Type II diabetes: Half of all patients with type II diabetes also have hypertension, making hypertension a primary feature of Type II diabetes.

·         Insulin resistance: Whether or not people have diabetes, the body’s inability to use insulin has also been associated with high blood pressure.

·         Low levels of nitric oxide, which affects the smooth muscles that line blood vessels to keep them relaxed and flexible. Nitric oxide also helps prevent blood clots.

·         Low calcium and magnesium intake.

TYPES OF HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

There are different types of hypertensions, which are as follows primary, secondary, renovascular, labile, malignant and resistant. Until the year 2000, these different types were generally diagnosed by paying attention to people’s diastolic blood pressure (the lower number of a blood pressure reading). In other words, someone with high blood pressure actually had diastolic hypertension. However, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute of USA recommended that healthcare professionals should evaluate people’s not only systolic blood pressure, but also their diastolic blood pressure while making a diagnosis of hypertension. Most people with high blood pressure are diagnosed with primary hypertension, which means that researchers only understand the risk factors for the condition but not the root cause. However, these people show substantial improvement with stress management techniques.

Hope you liked this article!

This article is written by Dr. Bimal Chhajer (Non Invasive treatment specialist)