How to Treat High blood Pressure

 High blood pressure - the importance of treating this condition

High blood pressure (HBP) is a "silent disease" with no specific symptoms, only sudden and significant increases in blood pressure (hypertensive jumps) can be manifested by headaches, dizziness, ringing in the ears (tinnitus) or visual disturbances - "flying flies "(phosphenes), nausea, general malaise. Many people have been hypertensive for many years without knowing it if they do not check their blood pressure periodically.

The importance of diagnosing and treating hypertension lies in the major complications that occur in this disease, affecting the heart (ischemic heart disease - myocardial infarction, arrhythmia's, heart failure), cerebral vessels (strokes), kidneys (nephroangiosclerosis with chronic renal failure).

The purpose of treating high blood pressure is: 

• Lowering blood pressure values ​​to a maximum safety level (below 130/85 mmHg)

•  Keeping the voltage under constant control

•  Prevention or reduction of complications

•  Increasing the quality of life and prolonging it

The HOT study on the optimal treatment of hypertension, performed on a representative sample of treated patients, revealed that the optimal value of blood pressure to be achieved in order to reduce the rate of major cardiovascular events is below 135/83 mmHg, and in diabetics below 120/80 mmHg.

High blood pressure (HBP) - components of treatment

I. Non-pharmacological measures that involve lifestyle changes as follows:

•   Changing eating habits

•   Quitting smoking

•   Body weight reduction

•   Regular exercise
  

•   Relaxation techniques to reduce stress

Recommended dietary measures:

    Reduction of salt in the diet to a maximum of 6 gr./day (i.e 2.5 gr. sodium), practically being achieved by the following rules:
   Do not add salt to food cooking (watch out for De like at products that contain a lot of salt!)

•    Do not put salt on the table while eating

•    Avoid foods high in salt (sodium - watch out for preservatives)

•    Avoid dehydration: drink enough fluids, about 2 liters / day

•    Reducing alcohol consumption below 30 g ethanol / day (equivalent to 500 ml beer, 250 ml wine, 60 ml strength), but not daily, has a beneficial effect on blood pressure and the progression of atherosclerosis. Complete abstinence is less beneficial, and alcohol abuse leads to marked increase in the development of atherosclerosis

II. Pharmacological measures

There are currently many drugs indicated in the treatment of hypertension, but the choice of treatment is the responsibility of the specialist. It should be mentioned that it is preferable to combine several drugs in small doses instead of mono therapy, after a well-established schedule, for an optimal and constant control of blood pressure values.

Periodic medical check-ups are necessary to verify the effectiveness of the treatment and, eventually, its adaptation as doses or therapeutic combinations.

And one last piece of advice for people with high blood pressure, who are being treated: when you go to the doctor, take your medication according to the established schedule, do not omit the treatment on the grounds that you have tests or go for a check-up; otherwise your blood pressure will be higher and any change in your treatment schedule may be harmful.