Hypertension is normally thought of as a consequence of just getting older or lifestyle choices. According some studies, almost every individual at some point in their lives will experience an episode of high blood pressure. For some individuals, this can be an isolated incident but for others, high blood pressure can become a killer if not treated. The decision to manage hypertension before it strikes can be a lifesaver.
Unless you know you are at risk for high blood pressure, chances are you won’t think to check for it. Hypertension by itself generally does not have symptoms that cause the pain or discomfort that illnesses such arthritis or heartburn would entail. In fact, by the time you go to see the doctor for an unrelated symptom, you probably have had hypertension for a while.
Since hypertension is generally not associated with specific symptoms, it is hard to pinpoint the cause of hypertension. But it is nonetheless, a serious illness that must be treated and managed before it has a chance to develop into other more serious conditions such as heart attack, kidney failure, heart failure or stroke.
With high blood pressure, the damage to your arteries and heart is a very dangerous consequence. The force of the blood against the arterial walls as the heart beats to push it through can weaken both the heart and the. When hypertension is present, the load on the heart increases the risk for heart failure.
High sodium consumption, excessive alcohol consumption and an inactive lifestyle are the leading factors that contribute to high blood pressure. By refraining from these high-risk behaviors, you can make a difference in your health and not only manage hypertension, but significantly reduce the risk for developing it later on if you don’t already have it.
One effective way to treat high blood pressure is through the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet, also known as the DASH diet. This diet is, as the name suggests, designed to manage hypertension through food intake. Permitted foods include mainly fish, poultry, fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, whole grains and limited non-fat or low fat dairy products. Increasing your daily physical activity can also help.
Hypertension is a lifelong disease. Once diagnosed by your doctor, prescription medications are the most common way to manage hypertension. Both you and your doctor will need to keep an eye on the blood pressure levels your doctor will determine is appropriate for you, given factors such as age and activity level.
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November 28th, 2009
Kathy Forcey
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