The biggest failure of most human beings is to start thinking about health care only after a scare or discovering an abnormality in test results. Lack of care and bad habits in everyday life end up causing problems that require lifelong management, and if not taken seriously, cause irreversible health damage and even pose severe life-threatening risks. In this article, we’ll discuss the care of a disease that is affecting more and more people every day, across all age groups: high blood pressure. What are the most effective treatments for high blood pressure and the main precautions to be taken in the life of someone with hypertension? Before we begin, let’s understand what high blood pressure is.

What is High Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure or arterial hypertension, as it is known in medicine, is a chronic disease characterized by increased blood pressure levels in the arteries. With this loss of control over blood pressure, the heart’s function becomes overloaded and the body cannot distribute blood properly, which can lead to serious health damage and conditions such as stroke, heart attack, kidney and heart failure, and arterial aneurysm.

High blood pressure is diagnosed through constant confirmation by measurement with specific devices, where the pressure remains elevated. During routine check-ups, blood pressure should always be measured for analysis and record and, if necessary, the patient referred for additional tests to confirm the suspected diagnosis. Patients who fall into a risk group should have their blood pressure checked regularly for monitoring, and if any sign is observed, a doctor should be consulted immediately to indicate the appropriate treatment for high blood pressure.

High Blood Pressure Risk Group

In almost 90% of cases, hypertensive patients inherit the disease from their parents. But there are thousands of other factors that can influence health and cause changes in blood pressure, making them hypertensive. Here are the main reasons and people who fall into the risk group and should pay extra attention and care.

  • People with a family history of hypertension;
  • Obese individuals;
  • Alcoholics;
  • Smokers;
  • Sedentary individuals;
  • Elderly people;
  • Diets high in salt

Black and Asian people also have a higher tendency to develop high blood pressure. Diabetics, people with high stress levels, poor quality sleep, kidney problems, or who suffer from hyperthyroidism are also in the risk group for developing the disease and should pay extra attention to their health care, habits, and routine.

Symptoms of High Blood Pressure

The recommendation is not to wait for the signs of high blood pressure before seeking medical help. This is because symptoms usually appear only when hypertension is already worsened and chronic. If you belong to the risk group, pay attention and, if possible, regularly measure your blood pressure to be sure. Having a portable device at home makes monitoring easier.

  • Headache;
  • Blurred vision;
  • Dizziness;
  • Chest pain;
  • Ringing in the ears

How to Prevent and Treat High Blood Pressure

The best way to avoid symptoms and high blood pressure is by taking essential health precautions, such as healthy eating, exercising, and avoiding a stressful routine. Lifestyle has a huge influence on people’s lives, both positively and negatively, so it’s necessary for us to choose what we want for ourselves.

The best ways to treat high blood pressure is to end a sedentary lifestyle—choose aerobic activities that induce the production of nitric oxide, which is a vasodilator substance that helps keep arteries relaxed and thus keeps blood pressure under control.

It is important to note that people with hypertension should have specific monitoring when engaging in any physical activity, since blood pressure tends to rise during exercise. But in time, it stabilizes, and the body adjusts to the new healthy routine. However, be aware that even if you follow all medical instructions and your blood pressure appears controlled, treatment should not be stopped, especially if the patient uses medication to regulate blood pressure. Treatments for high blood pressure are only effective when done together and in the correct way.

When it comes to nutrition, include plenty of vegetables, legumes, and especially whole grains in your daily diet. As they are composed of nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium, they help control and regulate contractions of the heart and blood vessels. Salt consumption should be moderate, and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends not exceeding 5 grams a day, equivalent to a small teaspoon.

We can’t forget that a vast majority of common breakfast and afternoon snack foods for most people are high in sodium, such as tasty bread rolls, cold cuts, processed meats, as well as ready-made seasoning sachets and cubes that are widely used in meal preparation.

IMPORTANT: Replace ready-made seasonings with natural spices such as garlic, onion, parsley, chives, cilantro, oregano. You can prepare your own natural seasoning blends.
Establish a healthy sleep routine—sleep quality affects every aspect of a person’s life. When you sleep poorly, you tend to have concentration problems, low productivity, and physical and health changes, including high blood pressure and weight gain.

Giving up addictions is also a way to reduce the chances of developing the disease. Smoking and alcohol consumption considerably increase the chances of the disease appearing, especially in younger people.

Main Aggravating Factors of High Blood Pressure

Among the main aggravating factors for high blood pressure are the risk of stroke, acute myocardial infarction, stroke, kidney failure, and vision loss, in addition to erectile dysfunction, which is one of the biggest concerns for men of childbearing age during medical appointments. Once high blood pressure worsens and the factors described above occur, it is very difficult to reverse the situation, so all care to prevent reaching this stage is essential for maintaining a healthy life.

See also: Cold or Allergy?

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