High blood pressure/ Hypertension
High blood pressure is described as blood pressure over 140/90 mm Hg consistently, on several occasions.
Most people do not feel unwell even when their blood pressure is high.
Blood pressure can be measured either at home or at a local pharmacy or clinic.
Occasionally, having a single reading of 160/110 mm Hg is sufficient for a diagnosis of high blood pressure, if your doctor finds you already have signs of damage to your organs from high blood pressure.
Causes of high blood pressure
Aging
Excess salt intake
Thyroid disease and other hormonal disorders
Smoking
Family history
Obesity
Use of excess alcohol
Lack of exercise
Medications like steroids, anti inflammatory medications, some cancer medications, flu medications, oral contraceptives, psychiatry medications
Other organ diseases like kidney disease, adrenal disease
Pregnancy - some people develop blood pressure problems in pregnancy
Managing high blood pressure
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Weight loss is associated with the highest reduction in blood pressure .
Loss of 1 kg of weight is estimated to bring the blood pressure down by about 2 mmHg .
Losing 5 kg of weight can lead to a drop in blood pressure of up to 10mmHg
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Regular exercise 3 to 4 times a week can bring blood pressure down by up to 6mmHg .
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Reducing the amount of salt to a half a teaspoon consumed in food helps to lower blood pressure .It is estimated that this can drop the blood pressure by as much as 5mmHg
Eating more fruits, white meat and vegetables while taking less dairy and red meat will help improve blood pressure .
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Smoking increases damage to our blood vessel walls and this can in turn lead to increased blood pressure.
Exposure to the chemicals in second hand smoke can also cause high blood pressure
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Keeping to the recommended amounts helps to reduce likelihood of high blood pressure.
It is recommended that men should not have more than 2 standard drinks a day and for women, not more than 1 standard drink a day.
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Use of Cocaine and Meth can lead to high blood pressure and even cause heart attacks and death
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Some medications can cause high blood pressure .These include steroids among others .
Medications also have a role in lowering blood pressure
There are different kinds of medications used to treat high blood pressure
Examples include
amlodipine, losartan, hydrochlorothiazide, prazosin, metoprolol among others
The medication your doctor chooses will depend on your other medical conditions. If you have kidney disease some medications will work better for you than others .
If you have diabetes or heart problems some medications will prove better for you than others.
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Some medical conditions cause high blood pressure
These include;
An overactive thyroid
Obesity related breathing problems - seen in people who snore at night
Other hormone producing conditions
Kidney disease/failure
What blood pressure should you aim for when you start treatment?
For most people with high blood pressure, a well controlled blood pressure is defined as equal to or less than 140/90 mmHg on most occasions.
The ideal target can be lowered to 135/85mmHg in those with diabetes or kidney disease depending on your doctor’s recommendation.
High blood pressure in children and young adults
High blood pressure in children and young adults should prompt investigations for other medical conditions causing high blood pressure.
When to stop blood pressure medication
Most people take blood pressure medication for the rest of their lives because their blood pressure is only normal while they are on the tablets.
Few people who experience signs of low blood pressure like dizziness, fainting among others and are confirmed to have low blood pressure (pressure below 120/80mmHg ) may be able to get off medication.
Self ceasing medication can be dangerous as some medications can cause side effects on sudden discontinuation and some side effects can be fatal .
Discuss with your doctor before stopping. Some medications may need gradual dose reduction.
How often should I have a check up to know if I have high blood pressure?
It is recommended that adults should check their blood pressure once a year at minimum.
If your blood pressure is approaching hypertension level(140/90) you may need to check more frequently - re- check after 3-6 months .
What is the proper way of checking/measuring blood pressure?
If you have been rushing to the clinic , allow 5 minutes of rest in a quiet place before checking
Sit upright on a chair with both feet on the ground
No talking
A blood pressure cuff of the right size should be placed on your left arm (preferably )slightly above the elbow.
Your arm should be well supported on a table .
The cuff should be inflated gradually till a reading is established.
2 or 3 readings can be taken to confirm the blood pressure in case of any doubts.
The most accurate way of checking blood pressure is by self measuring at home however, many people do not have their own blood pressure machines.