High blood pressure affects more than a million people in America alone, yet most of us are blissfully unaware that we have it. We know someone, or the doctor tells us that there is a problem, but just don’t know what it is. There are different types of high blood pressure:
Hypertension can be caused by many factors, so it’s best to know what symptoms to look for. High blood pressure can be brought on by excess sodium, which can be found in both animal and plant foods; by alcohol, which is commonly consumed with meals; and by being overweight. Blood pressure can be diagnosed with two numbers alone. The high-salt number shows you how much salt is in your blood, while the hypertension number tells you whether your blood pressure is above the normal range.
There are different types of treatment for high blood pressure, depending upon the severity. Your doctor may decide that you should take a course of medication or urge you to change your diet. Some of the available medicines for treating hypertension include atenolol, niacin, magnesium, folic acid, calcium, coagulants and potassium. You will usually be put on a controlled diet for a few days, and then your diet will be gradually adjusted to remove any of the different types of food that you are used to. These medicines can cause serious health problems if taken in combination with other medicines or drugs. Always check with your doctor before you begin any new course of treatment.
Many patients with hypertension find that their first symptoms appear during times of stress or depression, or when they become extremely tired. These can be the beginning stages of a severe health problem, so if you experience any of these symptoms it is imperative that you visit your physician as soon as possible. The most common symptoms of hypertension include a constant feeling of thirst, a dry mouth, a feeling of depression, and fatigue. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and you believe they may be symptoms of high blood pressure then it is very important that you discuss these symptoms with your doctor.
The symptoms mentioned above are just some of the more common symptoms of high blood pressure, that your physician will be able to notice. If you have any of these symptoms, you should immediately mention them to your doctor so that he or she can determine if these symptoms are indeed caused by hypertension. A thorough physical examination will be required, and the physician will be able to determine your heart health by checking your echocardiogram as well as your coronary artery function tests. Once your doctor has determined that you do, in fact, have high blood pressure there are many different ways that you can treat your hypertension.
Treatments for high blood pressure include medications such as an anti-hypertensive medication, certain cardiac medications, and lifestyle changes. You may be advised by your doctor to make some lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, quitting smoking, and limiting alcohol consumption. If you take any of these medications on a daily basis then you should be sure to keep a daily blood pressure record so that your doctor can monitor your progress. It is also important that you monitor your progress regularly so that you can make any necessary changes to your lifestyle that may lower your health risks. Monitoring your health risks will help your doctor to identify which medications are the most effective in lowering your blood pressure, and which ones you should not be taking. Although you should never rely solely on your doctor to help you regulate your hypertension, your doctor is the best resource for the type of treatment you need.