Overcoming Hypertension To Prevent Early Death With These 3 Ways

Overcoming Hypertension To Prevent Early Death With These 3 Ways Hypertension or high blood pressure is often said to be a silent killer. Because, often high blood pressure does not show signs.

Even though it doesn't show signs, hypertension can cause health complications, such as stroke, heart disease, kidney failure, and even death.

But the truth is, most of the death, disease, and disability caused by high blood pressure can be avoided.

The Surgeon General's Call To Action To Control Hypertension writes, only 1 in four people with high blood pressure can manage it. According to R. Todd Hurst, MD, FACC, FASE, a heart specialist from the Banner Heart Health Center - University Medicine Heart Institute, there are three most important things that are important to understand in order to lower blood pressure, which in turn can save lives.

Know your blood pressure

If possible, check your blood pressure regularly at home. Many blood pressure measuring devices or tension meters at affordable prices.
Regularly check your blood pressure at home. It is very important to sit quietly for 5 minutes before doing it.
"If you get used to it, this will make you an expert on measuring your own blood pressure, which in turn records your blood pressure can help guide your doctor in the best treatment options," said Hurst.
Talk with your doctor about how often to check your blood pressure and when is the best time to have it.

Treat the cause of hypertension

If your kitchen faucet keeps running and causes water to pool, then the first thing to do is turn off the faucet. The same logic applies to hypertension treatment. If you know the cause, the best treatment is to remove the cause.
Hurst mentions six common causes of hypertension, namely:

1. Too much sitting, minimal activity. When in fact, a modest level of activity can lower your blood pressure while minimizing medication.
2. Eating too much processed food. Especially processed foods that are high in sodium.
3. Being at an unhealthy weight Losing 5% -10% of your body weight can lower your blood pressure more than any drug.
4. Excess alcohol. Drinking more than a glass of alcohol a day can raise your blood pressure.
5. Untreated sleep disorder or sleep apnea. Experts estimate that 30% -50% of people with high blood pressure have sleep apnea and most go untreated. If you snore, wake up feeling tired, or your partner notices that you stop breathing periodically during sleep, ask your doctor immediately if you should have sleep apnea checked.
6. Primary aldosteronism – This is a hormone problem that used to be thought to be very rare, but recent studies have shown it to be relatively common. If your blood pressure is not well controlled on some medications, ask your doctor if high aldosterone levels could be the cause. Talk to your doctor about what might be causing your high blood pressure. Genetics does play a big role in hypertension, but experts estimate that half or more of high blood pressure is caused by factors we can control.

Obediently take medication

“No one wants to take medicine. I understand that. And I firmly believe that we all need to be selective about any drug we take – including supplements, and be aware of the benefits and risks,” said Hurst.
However, if you find your blood pressure is consistently above 130/80 – even after doing everything you can to treat the cause of high blood pressure, not taking blood pressure medication will actually put you at higher risk of heart attack, stroke and death early. First-line high blood pressure medications are proven to be effective, inexpensive, and have a low risk of side effects.
"It's important to work with your doctor to come up with a high blood pressure treatment strategy that makes sense for you and effectively controls your blood pressure," said Hurst, who is also an assistant professor of medicine at the University of Arizona.
Hurst cautioned that although hypertension or high blood pressure often causes no symptoms, its effects on our health are potentially damaging.
But you have more control than you may realize to lower your risk of heart attack, stroke and premature death. By following the three steps above, you'll be well on your way to controlling your blood pressure – and not becoming a statistic.

Source : kompas.com