Control Your High Blood Pressure

Flow Ten Tips To Help You Control Your High Blood Pressure

1. Make sure your blood pressure is less than 140/90 mm Hg. If your systolic pressure (the top number) is over 140, ask your doctor what you can do to lower it.

2. Take your high blood pressure medicine, if prescribed, every day. If you have questions, talk to your doctor.

3. Aim for a healthy weight. If you are overweight or obese, carrying this extra weight increases your risk of high blood pressure. One way to determine if you need to lose weight is to find out your body mass index or BMI. If your BMI is above the healthy range (i.e., 25 or greater), or if your waist measurement is greater than 35 inches (women) or 40 inches (men) you probably have excess abdominal weight and you may benefit from weight loss especially if you have other risk factors. Talk to your doctor to see if you are at increased risk for high blood pressure and need to lose weight.

4. Increase your physical activity. Do at least 30 minutes of moderate activity, such as walking, most days of the week. You can do 30 minutes in three 10-minute segments.

5. Choose foods low in salt and sodium. Most Americans should consume no more than 2.4 grams (2,400 milligrams) of sodium a day. That equals 6 grams, about one teaspoon of table salt a day. For someone with high blood pressure, the doctor may advise less.

6. Read nutrition labels. Almost all packaged foods contain sodium. Every time you prepare or eat a packaged food, know how much sodium is in one serving.

7. Keep a sodium diary. You may be surprised at how much sodium you consume each day and the diary will help you decide which foods to decrease or eliminate.

8. Use spices and herbs instead of salt to season the food you prepare at home.

9. Eat more fruits, vegetables, grains, and low-fat dairy foods.

10. If you consume alcohol at all, consume moderate amounts. For men, this is less than two 12 oz servings of beer, or two 5 oz glasses of wine, or two 1 1/2 oz servings of "hard" alcohol a day. Women or lighter weight people should have not more than a single serving of any one of these beverages in a given day.

Treatment & Care of Hypertension

Treating high blood pressure can take a mufti-pronged approach including diet changes, medication, and exercise. Learn about hypertension treatment options here.

Treatment:

Hypertension Treatment

Treatment for hypertension comes in many forms -- from lifestyle changes to medication. Learn more from this overview about how to lower blood pressure here.

High Blood Pressure and Smoking

Did you know that people who smoke are more likely to develop hypertension and heart disease? Learn more and get tips on quitting -- and avoiding a relapse.

Hypertension and Stress

Left unmanaged, stress can lead to emotional, psychological, and even physical problems, including coronary artery disease and high blood pressure. Get tips on the warning signs of dangerous stress and learn how to reduce it, while boosting a positive outlook.

Complementary and Alternative Treatment for Hypertension

There are many types of complementary and alternative treatments believed to be effective for treating hypertension. Get the facts on your options.

High Blood Pressure Drugs

Your doctor has hundreds of different high blood pressure drugs to choose from. These medications work in a variety of ways to lower blood pressure.

Calcium Channel Blockers

Calcium channel blockers are drugs used to lower blood pressure. They work by slowing the movement of calcium into the cells of the heart and blood vessel walls, which makes it easier for the heart to pump and widens blood vessels.

ACE Inhibitors

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are high blood pressure drugs that widen or dilate your blood vessels to improve the amount of blood your heart pumps and lower blood pressure.

Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs)

Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) have the same effects as ACE inhibitors, another type of blood pressure drug, but work by a different mechanism.

Diuretics (Water Pills)

For high blood pressure, diuretics, commonly known as "water pills," help your body get rid of unneeded water and salt through the urine. Getting rid of excess salt and fluid helps lower blood pressure and can make it easier for your heart to pump.

Beta-Blockers

Beta-blockers are drugs used to treat high blood pressure. They block the effects of the sympathetic nervous system on the heart.

Omega-3 Fish Oil Supplements

In the past 10 years, many Americans have turned to omega-3 fish oil supplements. Dietary fish and fish oil supplements have benefits for healthy people and also those with heart disease.

Control Your High Blood Pressure

Flow Ten Tips To Help You Control Your High Blood Pressure

1. Make sure your blood pressure is less than 140/90 mm Hg. If your systolic pressure (the top number) is over 140, ask your doctor what you can do to lower it.

2. Take your high blood pressure medicine, if prescribed, every day. If you have questions, talk to your doctor.

3. Aim for a healthy weight. If you are overweight or obese, carrying this extra weight increases your risk of high blood pressure. One way to determine if you need to lose weight is to find out your body mass index or BMI. If your BMI is above the healthy range (i.e., 25 or greater), or if your waist measurement is greater than 35 inches (women) or 40 inches (men) you probably have excess abdominal weight and you may benefit from weight loss especially if you have other risk factors. Talk to your doctor to see if you are at increased risk for high blood pressure and need to lose weight.

4. Increase your physical activity. Do at least 30 minutes of moderate activity, such as walking, most days of the week. You can do 30 minutes in three 10-minute segments.

5. Choose foods low in salt and sodium. Most Americans should consume no more than 2.4 grams (2,400 milligrams) of sodium a day. That equals 6 grams, about one teaspoon of table salt a day. For someone with high blood pressure, the doctor may advise less.

6. Read nutrition labels. Almost all packaged foods contain sodium. Every time you prepare or eat a packaged food, know how much sodium is in one serving.

7. Keep a sodium diary. You may be surprised at how much sodium you consume each day and the diary will help you decide which foods to decrease or eliminate.

8. Use spices and herbs instead of salt to season the food you prepare at home.

9. Eat more fruits, vegetables, grains, and low-fat dairy foods.

10. If you consume alcohol at all, consume moderate amounts. For men, this is less than two 12 oz servings of beer, or two 5 oz glasses of wine, or two 1 1/2 oz servings of "hard" alcohol a day. Women or lighter weight people should have not more than a single serving of any one of these beverages in a given day.

Treatment & Care of Hypertension

Treating high blood pressure can take a mufti-pronged approach including diet changes, medication, and exercise. Learn about hypertension treatment options here.

Treatment:

Hypertension Treatment

Treatment for hypertension comes in many forms -- from lifestyle changes to medication. Learn more from this overview about how to lower blood pressure here.

High Blood Pressure and Smoking

Did you know that people who smoke are more likely to develop hypertension and heart disease? Learn more and get tips on quitting -- and avoiding a relapse.

Hypertension and Stress

Left unmanaged, stress can lead to emotional, psychological, and even physical problems, including coronary artery disease and high blood pressure. Get tips on the warning signs of dangerous stress and learn how to reduce it, while boosting a positive outlook.

Complementary and Alternative Treatment for Hypertension

There are many types of complementary and alternative treatments believed to be effective for treating hypertension. Get the facts on your options.

High Blood Pressure Drugs

Your doctor has hundreds of different high blood pressure drugs to choose from. These medications work in a variety of ways to lower blood pressure.

Calcium Channel Blockers

Calcium channel blockers are drugs used to lower blood pressure. They work by slowing the movement of calcium into the cells of the heart and blood vessel walls, which makes it easier for the heart to pump and widens blood vessels.

ACE Inhibitors

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are high blood pressure drugs that widen or dilate your blood vessels to improve the amount of blood your heart pumps and lower blood pressure.

Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs)

Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) have the same effects as ACE inhibitors, another type of blood pressure drug, but work by a different mechanism.

Diuretics (Water Pills)

For high blood pressure, diuretics, commonly known as "water pills," help your body get rid of unneeded water and salt through the urine. Getting rid of excess salt and fluid helps lower blood pressure and can make it easier for your heart to pump.

Beta-Blockers

Beta-blockers are drugs used to treat high blood pressure. They block the effects of the sympathetic nervous system on the heart.

Omega-3 Fish Oil Supplements

In the past 10 years, many Americans have turned to omega-3 fish oil supplements. Dietary fish and fish oil supplements have benefits for healthy people and also those with heart disease.