How to reduce high blood pressure
INTRODUCTION TO HOW TO REDUCE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
Hypertension (HTN or HT), also known as high blood pressure (HBP), is a long-term medical condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is persistently elevated. High blood pressure typically does not cause symptoms. Long-term high blood pressure, however, is a major risk factor for stroke, coronary artery disease, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, peripheral arterial disease, vision loss, chronic kidney disease, and dementia
High blood pressure is classified as primary (essential) hypertension or secondary hypertension. About 90–95% of cases are primary, defined as high blood pressure due to nonspecific lifestyle and genetic factors. Lifestyle factors that increase the risk include excess salt in the diet, excess body weight, smoking, and alcohol use. The remaining 5–10% of cases are categorized as secondary high blood pressure, defined as high blood pressure due to an identifiable cause, such as chronic kidney disease, narrowing of the kidney arteries, an endocrine disorder, or the use of birth control pills.
Blood pressure is classified by two measurements, the systolic and diastolic pressures, which are the maximum and minimum pressures, respectively. For most adults, normal blood pressure at rest is within the range of 100–130 millimeters mercury (mmHg) systolic and 60–80 mmHg diastolic. For most adults, high blood pressure is present if the resting blood pressure is persistently at or above 130/80 or 140/90 mmHg. Different numbers apply to children. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring over a 24-hour period appears more accurate than office-based blood pressure measurement.
Lifestyle changes and medications can lower blood pressure and decrease the risk of health complications. Lifestyle changes include weight loss, physical exercise, decreased salt intake, reducing alcohol intake, and a healthy diet. If lifestyle changes are not sufficient, then blood pressure medications are used. Up to three medications taken concurrently can control blood pressure in 90% of people. The treatment of moderately high arterial blood pressure (defined as >160/100 mmHg) with medications is associated with an improved life expectancy. The effect of treatment of blood pressure between 130/80 mmHg and 160/100 mmHg is less clear, with some reviews finding benefit and others finding unclear benefit. High blood pressure affects between 16 and 37% of the population globally. In 2010 hypertension was believed to have been a factor in 18% of all deaths (9.4 million globally).
The causes of high blood pressure
In about 1 in 20 cases, high blood pressure happens as the result of an underlying health condition or taking certain medications.
Health conditions that can cause high blood pressure include:
- kidney disease
- diabetes
- long-term kidney infections
- obstructive sleep apnoea – where the walls of the throat relax and narrow during sleep, interrupting normal breathing
- glomerulonephritis – damage to the tiny filters inside the kidneys
- narrowing of the arteries supplying the kidneys
- hormone problems – such as an underactive thyroid, an overactive thyroid, Cushing’s syndrome, acromegaly, increased levels of the hormone aldosterone (hyperaldosteronism), and phaeochromocytoma
- lupus – a condition in which the immune system attacks parts of the body, such as the skin, joints, and organs
- scleroderma – a condition that causes thickened skin, and sometimes problems with organs and blood vessels.
- Others are inactivity, poor diet, obesity, older age, and genetics.
Medicines that can increase your blood pressure include:
- the contraceptive pill
- steroids
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – such as ibuprofen and naproxen
- some pharmacy cough and cold remedies
- some herbal remedies – particularly those containing liquorice
- some recreational drugs – such as cocaine and amphetamines
- some selective serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (SSNRI) antidepressants – such as venlafaxine
In these cases, your blood pressure may return to normal once you stop taking the medicine or drug.
Factors that can increase the risk of high blood pressure
You might be more at risk if you:
- are overweight
- eat too much salt and do not eat enough fruit and vegetables
- do not do enough exercise
- drink too much alcohol or coffee (or other caffeine-based drinks)
- smoke
- do not get much sleep or have disturbed sleep
- are over 65
- have a relative with high blood pressure
- are of black African or black Caribbean descent
- live in a deprived area
Making healthy lifestyle changes can sometimes help reduce your chances of getting high blood pressure and help lower your blood pressure if it’s already high.
Effect of high blood pressure
If blood pressure is too high for too long, it can cause serious damage to the blood vessels. This damage can result in a range of complications, some of which can be life-threatening. They include heart failure, vision loss, stroke, kidney disease, and other health problems.
Treatment of blood pressure
- Lose extra pounds and watch your waistline. …
- Exercise regularly. …
- Eat a healthy diet. …
- Reduce sodium in your diet.
- Limit the amount of alcohol you drink. …
- Quit smoking. …
- Cut back on caffeine. …
- Reduce your stress
Frequently ask question
1. What Is Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure?
The blood pressure reading is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and is written as systolic pressure, the force of the blood against the artery walls as your heart beats, over diastolic pressure, the blood pressure between heartbeats. For example, a blood pressure reading is written as 120/80 mmHg, or “120 over 80”. The systolic pressure is 120 and the diastolic pressure is 80.
2. What Is a Normal Blood Pressure?
The Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure has classified blood pressure measurements into several categories:
- Normal blood pressure is systolic pressure less than 120 and diastolic pressure less than 80 mmHg.
- Elevated is a systolic pressure of 120-129 and diastolic pressure less than 80 mmHg.
- Stage 1 Hypertension is a systolic pressure of 130-139 or a diastolic pressure of 80-89 mmHg.
- Stage 2 Hypertension is a systolic pressure of 140 or greater or a diastolic pressure of 90 or greater.
Conclusion
Hypertension is a very serious disorder in aged people and is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The fact of reducing blood pressure values decreases the risk for cardiac death as well as neurological, metabolic, and musculoskeletal system sequelae in aged people.
Therefore it is advised that people especially the aged ones should always embark on a routine checkup to monitor their blood pressure in order to be healthy.
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