Medications
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CHANGES IN LIFESTYLE TO LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE
Modifying your diet and lifestyle can help control high blood pressure. In fact, these healthy changes can actually reduce the amount of medication you need in order to keep your blood pressure within the normal range. In some cases they can eliminate the need to have any medication at all.
Weight reduction
If you are overweight, losing kilos can be a very effective way of lowering your blood pressure. Most people will see a reduction of 2 mm Hg for every kilogram of weight lost.
Get moving
Everybody needs to do at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise on most days. Moderate exercise doesn't always mean you need to attend aerobics classes. Try brisk walking, cycling, dancing or taking the stairs rather than the lift.
Alcohol
You can still have a glass of wine with dinner but try to limit alcohol to two standard drinks a day.
Salt
Don't add salt when cooking or at the table. Try to choose foods that are labelled 'reduced salt' or 'no added salt' as processed foods are the main source of salt in the diet.
Quit smoking
This is probably the single most important health choice you can make for any health issue. If you have high blood pressure and you smoke, you have up to four times the risk of having a stroke or a heart attack than does a nonsmoker.
Healthy eating
Try to choose mainly plant based foods such as fruit, vegetables, cereals and rice. Replace the saturated fats with polyunsaturated fats, aim for lean meats, poultry and fish and look for reduced-fat dairy products.
Treat depression
There is now strong evidence to show that untreated severe depression is as big a risk factor for heart disease as smoking or high cholesterol. Good treatments for depression are available, including psychotherapy and the newer antidepressants, so for the good of your health, both mentally and physically, seek help early.
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Drug side effects are a consideration, of course. These make some people feel worse than the hypertension itself, which most people don't even know they have. If you're lucky, you won't notice any side effects at all. But everyone reacts differently, so be prepared for some trial and error. Eventuall you'll zero in on the most effective drug for you with the fewest side effects. And if side effects are a problem, be sure to talk to your doctor. You might be surprised at all of your other options if a beta-blocker is making you feel a bit down, or if an ACE inhibitor is changing your sense of taste.
One or two anti-hypertensive drugs are probably all you'll need; only a few people (typically those with diabetes or high systolic pressure) use three or more medications. If you have other medical conditions, be assured that a good doctor will be aware of how certain anit-hypertensives might harm-or even simultaneously benefit--your other ailments. Until you find the right medication, be prepared to see your doctor ever four to six weeks to discuss side effects and check your blood pressure levels.
>OVERINDULGING IN REAL LIQUORICE can raise your blood pressure by affecting your adrenal glands. 'True' liquorice is the culprit here. It's the costly type extracted from liquorice plants and often found in European confections. Instead, if you have hypertension and must indulge in liquorice, buy the black variety. It is typically flavoured artificially or with natural oils, such an anise. And the red variety contains no true liquorice at all.
If you need to start on an anti-hypertensive medication and are otherwise healthy, odds are you'll probably be given a diuretic, which eliminates excess fluid and sodium, or a beta-blocker, which ease the heart's workload by tempering the force and frequency of your regular heartbeats. Over the years many studies have shown both of these drug groups to be safe and effective.
The key to diuretics is that they prompt the kidneys to excrete excess salt and water. This reduces the volume of blood in your body and therefore the amount of fluid that needs to be forced through potentially narrowed arteries. Although they affect different sites in the kidneys, the three types of diuretics produce essentially the same reaction. Such drugs include thiazides (Hygroton, Aprinox), loop diuretics (Burinex, Lasix) and potassium-sparing diuretics (Midamor, Aldactone, Moduretic). Diuretics are particularly effective if you have fairly straightforward hypertension and if you're older.
The other top drug choice is beta-blockers (Inderal, Tenormin, Betaloc). When combine with other
anti-hypertensives, beta-blockers are known for reducing heart-disease-related deaths. In fact, these drugs are a good choice if you've already had a heart attack, are suffering from angina (chest pain) or have heart rhythm disturbances, tremors, hyperthyrodisim or migraine. They're effective because they mute the effects of adrenaline and slow your heart down, so it doesn't have to work so hard. Your doctor is unlikely to select a beta blocker if you're prone to asthma (the drug can narrow bronchial airways) or depression, or if you have diabetes.
Over the past few years, research has homed in on another class of useful drugs, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (such as Capoten, Renitec, Prinivil). Their benefit is that they lower blood pressure at the same time as they help control congestive heart failure and prevent stroke and heart attack in high-risk people. Because they reduce the risks and complications of diabetes, ACE inhibitors are commonly taken along with certain other anti-hypertensives.
>HAVING TROUBLE COMMITTING to your drug regimen? You're not alone: many Australians and New Zealanders stop taking anti-hypertensives because they view them as a nuisance. Compliance, however, is crucial to your health. Here are a few tips to keep you faithful: get a weekly drug-dosing box to help you keep track. An alarm clock can remind you when to take the drug. Strategise with your doctor to find a plan that works for your life. There may be a drug that causes no side effects, or that requires you to take it just once daily.
In about 25 percent of those who take ACE inhibitors, an annoying cough develops as a side effect. If it becomes over-whelming, a good alternative is angiotensin II receptor blockers (Cozaar, Avapro), which works similarly to ACE inhibitors. They have a high risk of birth defects so tell your doctor if you're pregnant or if you are trying to conceive.
Yet another option is calicum channel blockers (calcium antagonists), which include Norvasc, extended-release Cardizem CD, Adalat Oros, Isoptin and Plendil ER. They work by widening arteries and lightening the heart's workload; they're quick to reduce blood pressure and they can also ease angina (chest pain). You may find you like calicium channel blockers because they're so easy to take: just once a day.
As a first drug, you probably won't be prescribed vasodilators, which lower blood pressure by widening blood vessels, or alpha-blockers or central alpha-agonists, which block nerve impulses that constrict small arteries. These medications are typically reserved for times when other anti-
hypertensives have failed or when a second drug is needed to proud out a treatment regimen.
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CHANGES IN LIFESTYLE TO LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE
Modifying your diet and lifestyle can help control high blood pressure. In fact, these healthy changes can actually reduce the amount of medication you need in order to keep your blood pressure within the normal range. In some cases they can eliminate the need to have any medication at all.
Weight reduction
If you are overweight, losing kilos can be a very effective way of lowering your blood pressure. Most people will see a reduction of 2 mm Hg for every kilogram of weight lost.
Get moving
Everybody needs to do at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise on most days. Moderate exercise doesn't always mean you need to attend aerobics classes. Try brisk walking, cycling, dancing or taking the stairs rather than the lift.
Alcohol
You can still have a glass of wine with dinner but try to limit alcohol to two standard drinks a day.
Salt
Don't add salt when cooking or at the table. Try to choose foods that are labelled 'reduced salt' or 'no added salt' as processed foods are the main source of salt in the diet.
Quit smoking
This is probably the single most important health choice you can make for any health issue. If you have high blood pressure and you smoke, you have up to four times the risk of having a stroke or a heart attack than does a nonsmoker.
Healthy eating
Try to choose mainly plant based foods such as fruit, vegetables, cereals and rice. Replace the saturated fats with polyunsaturated fats, aim for lean meats, poultry and fish and look for reduced-fat dairy products.
Treat depression
There is now strong evidence to show that untreated severe depression is as big a risk factor for heart disease as smoking or high cholesterol. Good treatments for depression are available, including psychotherapy and the newer antidepressants, so for the good of your health, both mentally and physically, seek help early.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Drug side effects are a consideration, of course. These make some people feel worse than the hypertension itself, which most people don't even know they have. If you're lucky, you won't notice any side effects at all. But everyone reacts differently, so be prepared for some trial and error. Eventuall you'll zero in on the most effective drug for you with the fewest side effects. And if side effects are a problem, be sure to talk to your doctor. You might be surprised at all of your other options if a beta-blocker is making you feel a bit down, or if an ACE inhibitor is changing your sense of taste.
One or two anti-hypertensive drugs are probably all you'll need; only a few people (typically those with diabetes or high systolic pressure) use three or more medications. If you have other medical conditions, be assured that a good doctor will be aware of how certain anit-hypertensives might harm-or even simultaneously benefit--your other ailments. Until you find the right medication, be prepared to see your doctor ever four to six weeks to discuss side effects and check your blood pressure levels.
>OVERINDULGING IN REAL LIQUORICE can raise your blood pressure by affecting your adrenal glands. 'True' liquorice is the culprit here. It's the costly type extracted from liquorice plants and often found in European confections. Instead, if you have hypertension and must indulge in liquorice, buy the black variety. It is typically flavoured artificially or with natural oils, such an anise. And the red variety contains no true liquorice at all.
If you need to start on an anti-hypertensive medication and are otherwise healthy, odds are you'll probably be given a diuretic, which eliminates excess fluid and sodium, or a beta-blocker, which ease the heart's workload by tempering the force and frequency of your regular heartbeats. Over the years many studies have shown both of these drug groups to be safe and effective.
The key to diuretics is that they prompt the kidneys to excrete excess salt and water. This reduces the volume of blood in your body and therefore the amount of fluid that needs to be forced through potentially narrowed arteries. Although they affect different sites in the kidneys, the three types of diuretics produce essentially the same reaction. Such drugs include thiazides (Hygroton, Aprinox), loop diuretics (Burinex, Lasix) and potassium-sparing diuretics (Midamor, Aldactone, Moduretic). Diuretics are particularly effective if you have fairly straightforward hypertension and if you're older.
The other top drug choice is beta-blockers (Inderal, Tenormin, Betaloc). When combine with other
anti-hypertensives, beta-blockers are known for reducing heart-disease-related deaths. In fact, these drugs are a good choice if you've already had a heart attack, are suffering from angina (chest pain) or have heart rhythm disturbances, tremors, hyperthyrodisim or migraine. They're effective because they mute the effects of adrenaline and slow your heart down, so it doesn't have to work so hard. Your doctor is unlikely to select a beta blocker if you're prone to asthma (the drug can narrow bronchial airways) or depression, or if you have diabetes.
Over the past few years, research has homed in on another class of useful drugs, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (such as Capoten, Renitec, Prinivil). Their benefit is that they lower blood pressure at the same time as they help control congestive heart failure and prevent stroke and heart attack in high-risk people. Because they reduce the risks and complications of diabetes, ACE inhibitors are commonly taken along with certain other anti-hypertensives.
>HAVING TROUBLE COMMITTING to your drug regimen? You're not alone: many Australians and New Zealanders stop taking anti-hypertensives because they view them as a nuisance. Compliance, however, is crucial to your health. Here are a few tips to keep you faithful: get a weekly drug-dosing box to help you keep track. An alarm clock can remind you when to take the drug. Strategise with your doctor to find a plan that works for your life. There may be a drug that causes no side effects, or that requires you to take it just once daily.
In about 25 percent of those who take ACE inhibitors, an annoying cough develops as a side effect. If it becomes over-whelming, a good alternative is angiotensin II receptor blockers (Cozaar, Avapro), which works similarly to ACE inhibitors. They have a high risk of birth defects so tell your doctor if you're pregnant or if you are trying to conceive.
Yet another option is calicum channel blockers (calcium antagonists), which include Norvasc, extended-release Cardizem CD, Adalat Oros, Isoptin and Plendil ER. They work by widening arteries and lightening the heart's workload; they're quick to reduce blood pressure and they can also ease angina (chest pain). You may find you like calicium channel blockers because they're so easy to take: just once a day.
As a first drug, you probably won't be prescribed vasodilators, which lower blood pressure by widening blood vessels, or alpha-blockers or central alpha-agonists, which block nerve impulses that constrict small arteries. These medications are typically reserved for times when other anti-
hypertensives have failed or when a second drug is needed to proud out a treatment regimen.
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