What is Hypertension?
Hypertension also known as High blood pressure is a condition in which blood flows through the arteries (tiny blood vessels that transport blood to all organs in the body) at a high pressure which can be harmful to the arteries and organs in the body.
What are the causes/risk factors for Hypertension?
- Smoking
- Being overweight or obese
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Can be inherited
- Pregnancy induced
- Excessive Alcohol consumption
- Age
How is Hypertension diagnosed?
Hypertension is usually diagnosed from high blood pressure readings gotten from a Sphygmomanometer (a device that measures blood pressure)
Typically upper readings (systolic) above 140mmHg and/or lower readings (diastolic) above 90mmHg; are considered high.
How is Hypertension Treated?
Treatment modalities include exercise, weight control, controlled diet and other lifestyle modifications including smoking cessation; with or without medications
What Medications are used in the treatment of hypertension
There is a long list of medications that are used in the management of hypertension.
They include any or a combination of the following medications
- ACE Inhibitors – Lisinopril, Ramipril, Captopril, Perindopril
- Long Acting Calcium Channel Blockers – Amlodipine, Felodipine
- ARBs – Valsartan (Diovan), Telmisartan (Micardis), Losartan (Rosart), Irbesartan (Aprovel)
- Diuretics- Indapamide (Natrilix), Hydrochlorothiazide (Esidrex), Furosemide (Lasix), Spironolactone (Aldactone)
- Beta-Blockers – Atenolol, Bisoprolol, Labetalol
- Alpha Blockers – Doxazosin
Facts about Hypertension
- Hypertension is not a death sentence
- Hypertension can be managed with appropriate lifestyle modifications, weight control, a healthy diet and exercise
- Hypertension that remains uncontrolled after appropriate lifestyle modifications and has not been linked to an underlying condition will need to be managed with medications
- Anti-hypertensive Medications are typically taken everyday
- Regular Monitoring of blood pressure readings is very important in the management of hypertension
- Hypertension if left untreated can cause Stroke and even lead to sudden death (hence the nickname ‘the silent killer’)
- Hypertension can damage can damage blood vessels in the body and if left untreated can cause Erectile dysfunction in men
- Hypertension can occur at any age, even though the risk increases with age
- Antihypertensive medications do not kill !!!!!!!
- Take your medications as prescribed by your Doctor
- If you experience any problems or side effects from your antihypertensive medications, speak to your Doctor or Pharmacist about it.
Learn more about Hypertension at emedicine.medscape.com/article/241381/overview