Hypertension

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a chronic condition that can lead to serious health issues such as heart disease, stroke, and kidney damage. Effective management involves lifestyle changes and medications.

Lifestyle Changes

• Diet: Adopt a heart-healthy diet, such as the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet, which emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products. Reducing sodium intake is crucial.
• Exercise: Engage in regular physical activity, such as brisk walking, for at least 30 minutes most days of the week.
• Weight Management: Achieve and maintain a healthy weight to help lower blood pressure.
• Limit Alcohol and Avoid Tobacco: Moderate alcohol consumption and cessation of smoking are important for blood pressure control.
• Stress Reduction: Techniques like meditation, deep breathing exercises, and yoga can help manage stress levels.

Medications

• Diuretics: Help the kidneys eliminate excess sodium and water to reduce blood volume.
• ACE Inhibitors and ARBs: Relax blood vessels by preventing the formation or action of angiotensin, a chemical that narrows blood vessels.
• Calcium Channel Blockers: Prevent calcium from entering heart and blood vessel walls, leading to lower blood pressure.
• Beta-Blockers: Reduce the heart rate and the heart's output of blood, thereby lowering blood pressure.