Hypertension, or high blood pressure is a measurement of the force of your blood against your arteries as your heart pumps it through your body. It is generally indicated by two numbers; the systolic and the diastolic blood pressures. Normal blood pressure is less than 120 over 80 (120/80 mmHg). Pre-hypertension is when blood pressure falls between 120/80 mmHg but less than 140/90 mmHg. Blood pressure levels of more than 140/90 mmHg is considered Hypertension. . Some contributing factors that increase the risk the risk of developing high blood pressure are age, ethnicity and family history. These factors are not preventable or avoidable. Other contributing factors are under individual control; these include obesity, stress and excessive alcohol and salt consumption . Most people have no discernible symptoms from hypertension. Regular check up that include monitoring blood pressure levels is essential in detecting pre-hypertension and hypertension. However, it is not necessary to go to a doctor’s office to perform a blood pressure check. In fact, reading taken at home may be a better measure of your normal blood pressure levels. .
According to the Centers for Disease Control diet is one of the most effective behaviors in preventing chronic diseases such as hypertension. A healthy diet including fresh fruits and vegetables high in potassium and fiber and low in cholesterol, sodium and saturated fat con lower blood pressure. . The A.D.A.M published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information and the U.S National Library of Medicine agrees that these diet recommendations, along with plenty of water is beneficial for everyone who is suffering from pre-hypertension or hypertension. .
Often doctors will recommend diet and behavior modification alone to treat early cases of pre-hypertension. However, since high blood pressure is linked to other disorders such as strokes, kidney disease and cardiovascular complications immediate medicinal interventions are often prescribed as well. The most common medications are:
- ACE Inhibitors or Angiotensin-Converting Enzymes that lower blood pressure by relaxing the blood vessels;
- ARBs or Angiotensin II receptor Blockers that also relax blood vessels;
- Beta blockers that slow the heart rate and cause the heart to beat less forcefully;
- Calcium Channel blockers that stop clacium from entering cells and relax blood vessels in that manner; and,
- Diuretics, sometimes called “water pills” that help the kidney remove sodium (salt) that reduces bodily fluid levels.
Less popular hypertension medications are:
- Alpha blockers, another type of medication to relax the blood vessels
- Centrally action drugs that signal the brain and nervous system to lower the pressure by relaxing blood vessels
- Rennin inhibitors to relax blood vessels; and
- Vasodilators the act upon the muscles in the walls of the blood vessels causing them to relax. .
All medications carry with them the potential for side effects. In the case of those medication commonly used in the treatment of pre-hypertension and hypertension most of the potential side effects are mild and may even go away over time. Some of the common side effects are cough, diarrhea or constipation, dizziness or light-headedness, erectile dysfunction, headache, low energy, nausea or vomiting, rash, weight variances. .
In its 7th Annual Report the Joint National Committee of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in cooperation with the National Institutes of Health and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute and The Mayo Clinic corroborate these findings. ..
The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension eating plan, otherwise known as the DASH Diet, published by WebMD on its web site provides an eating plan that introduces new foods as it helps patients regulate such factors as salt and cholesterol, This proven successful diet plan helped patients lower their blood pressure in two weeks. The amounts and proportions for this diet include:
- Grains: 7-8 daily servings
- Vegetables: 4-5 daily servings
- Fruits: 4-5 daily servings
- Low-fat or fat-free dairy products: 2-3 daily servings
- Meat, poultry, and fish: 2 or less daily servings
- Nuts, seeds, and dry beans: 4-5 servings per week
- Fats and oils: 2-3 daily servings .
High blood pressure has a double effect on the human body;. it increases stress on the digestive system as it attempts to remove sodium, excess fats and regulate elimination systems and it stresses the circulatory system that must work overtime to pump blood. By increasing the amount of high fiber foods such as grains and vegetables it helps the body clear out the lower gastro intestinal system. Reducing meat, salt, fat and cholesterol increases the circulatory system functions. Foods like fresh fruit and vegetables, nuts, seeds and beans provide vital nutrients that increase the vitality and function of both systems and the body as a whole. Eating a healthy diet also increases vitality and makes it easier and more enjoyable to exercise and maintain an active lifestyle.
References
A D A M Medical Encyclopedia. (2011, 06 11). Hypertension. Retrieved 04 29, 2013, from PubMed Health: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001502/
A.D.A.M . (2011, 06 10). High blood pressure Medications. Retrieved 04 29, 2013, from PubMed Health: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0010384/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013). High Blood Pressure. Retrieved 04 29, 2013, from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/
Centers for Disease Control. (2013). How to Prevent High Blood Pressure. Retrieved 04 29, 2013, from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/what_you_can_do.htm
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2013). Hypertension Treatments and Drugs. Retrieved 04 29, 2013, from the Mayo Clinic: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/high-blood-pressure/DS00100/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2003, 12). Prevention, Detectioin, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Preasure. Retrieved 04 29, 2013, from NIH - National Institute of Health: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/hypertension/express.pdf
WebMD. (2006-2013). High Blood Pressure and the DASH Diet. Retrieved 04 29, 2013, from WebMD: http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/guide/dash-diet
