Hypertension is a common chronic disease. In the United States, the treatment methods for managing hypertension are quite mature, and scientific methods can help hypertensive patients maintain good health.
1. Understand the basic knowledge and risks of hypertensionHypertension refers to a long-term increase in arterial blood pressure that exceeds the normal range. The American Heart Association defines hypertension as: systolic blood pressure (high pressure) ≥ 130 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure (low pressure) ≥ 80 mmHg. Depending on the blood pressure level, blood pressure can be divided into the following levels:
Normal blood pressure: systolic blood pressure less than 120 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure less than 80 mmHg.
Elevated blood pressure: systolic blood pressure 120-129 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure less than 80 mmHg.
Hypertension stage 1: systolic blood pressure 130-139 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure 80-89 mmHg.
Hypertension stage 2: systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mmHg.
High blood pressure does not occur "independently" and many lifestyles and health conditions may affect blood pressure. Common risk factors for high blood pressure include:
Age: As you age, your blood vessels gradually harden, which can easily cause high blood pressure.
Obesity and overweight: Being overweight increases the burden on the heart and causes high blood pressure.
Family history: If there is a high blood pressure patient in your family, the individual is at a higher risk of developing the disease.
Unhealthy diet: Excessive intake of salt, sugar, fat and processed foods increases the risk of high blood pressure.
Lack of exercise: Sitting for a long time or lack of regular exercise can cause high blood pressure.
Smoking and drinking: Both nicotine and alcohol in tobacco can cause blood vessels to constrict, leading to high blood pressure.
Long-term uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to many complications, including:
Heart disease: Long-term high blood pressure increases the burden on the heart and increases the risk of heart disease.
Stroke: High blood pressure is one of the most important risk factors for stroke.
Kidney disease: Damage to the blood vessels in the kidneys can affect kidney function and even lead to kidney failure.
Retinopathy: High blood pressure in blood vessels can affect the microvessels of the eye and increase the risk of blindness.
Drug treatment is an important means of controlling high blood pressure. The US Hypertension Treatment Guidelines point out that when blood pressure exceeds a certain value, patients should start drug treatment. Choosing appropriate drugs and reasonable drug combinations can help patients control blood pressure safely and effectively.
Common antihypertensive drugs mainly include the following categories, each of which lowers blood pressure through different mechanisms:
Diuretics: Diuretics reduce the amount of fluid in the body and lower blood pressure by increasing urine excretion. For example, hydrochlorothiazide is a commonly used diuretic.
ACE inhibitors: ACE inhibitors dilate blood vessels and lower blood pressure by blocking the synthesis of angiotensin II. Commonly used drugs include Lisinopril and Captopril.
ARBs (Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers): Similar to ACE inhibitors, ARBs block the effects of angiotensin II, helping blood vessels relax and lowering blood pressure. Common drugs include valsartan and losartan.
Calcium Channel Blockers: This drug relaxes blood vessels and lowers blood pressure by inhibiting the entry of calcium ions into vascular smooth muscle cells. Common drugs include amlodipine and diltiazem.
Beta-Blockers: This drug lowers blood pressure by slowing the heart rate and reducing the workload on the heart. Common drugs include metoprolol and atenolol.
The choice of drug should be based on the patient's specific situation. The doctor will decide the most suitable treatment plan based on the patient's age, symptoms, complications, and other health conditions. For many patients, a single type of drug is used for initial treatment. If blood pressure is not effectively controlled, two or more drugs may be used in combination.
Taking medication on time: Taking medication on time is the key to controlling blood pressure. Patients should not stop medication or change the dosage of medication at will.
Monitor blood pressure regularly: During medication treatment, patients should check their blood pressure regularly to ensure the effectiveness of treatment.
Avoid self-adjustment of medication: Some medications may interact with other medications, and patients should avoid changing the type and dosage of medication on their own.
In addition to drug treatment, lifestyle adjustments are also crucial to controlling high blood pressure. Through healthy diet and regular exercise, patients can significantly improve blood pressure levels and reduce dependence on medication.
Reasonable eating habits are the basis for controlling blood pressure. The following dietary recommendations can help lower blood pressure:
Reduce salt intake: Excessive salt intake can cause water retention in the body, increase blood volume, and thus increase blood pressure. The American Heart Association recommends that sodium intake should not exceed 2,300 mg per day, and ideally should be limited to less than 1,500 mg.
Increase potassium intake: Potassium helps balance the effects of sodium and helps lower blood pressure. Foods rich in potassium include bananas, oranges, potatoes, spinach, etc.
Reduce saturated fat and trans fat intake: A high-fat diet increases the risk of heart disease, which in turn affects blood pressure. Try to choose healthy sources of fat, such as olive oil, nuts, and fish.
Increase fiber intake: Whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and beans are rich in dietary fiber, which can help lower cholesterol, control weight, and thus lower blood pressure.
Moderate drinking: Excessive drinking can increase blood pressure. Men should not drink more than two glasses of alcohol per day, and women should not drink more than one glass per day.
Exercise is an effective way to lower blood pressure. Regular exercise helps strengthen the function of the heart and blood vessels, improve blood circulation, and lower blood pressure. The following exercise methods are particularly suitable for patients with hypertension:
Aerobic exercise: such as brisk walking, jogging, swimming, cycling, etc., at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic exercise per week.
Strength training: Increase muscle strength through equipment or bodyweight training. Strength training 2-3 times a week can help improve metabolism and control blood pressure.
Yoga and meditation: Yoga and meditation can help relieve stress, relax the mood, and thus lower blood pressure.
Overweight and obesity are important risk factors for hypertension. Weight loss can effectively lower blood pressure. For every 5-10 kg of weight loss, blood pressure may drop by 5-10 mmHg. Therefore, weight control and maintaining an ideal weight are essential for hypertension management.
Stress is one of the common factors that lead to high blood pressure. Long-term psychological stress, anxiety and tension can stimulate the sympathetic nerves, causing vasoconstriction, which in turn causes high blood pressure.
The following methods can help relieve stress and thus control blood pressure:
Deep Breathing: Relax your body, slow your heart rate, and lower your blood pressure by taking deep breaths.
Meditation and Mindfulness: Meditation and mindfulness training can help reduce psychological stress, stabilize emotions, and lower blood pressure.
Exercise and Outdoor Activities: Outdoor walking, yoga and other activities can help relieve stress and improve mental health.
Lack of sleep can lead to an increase in high blood pressure, so ensuring 7-9 hours of high-quality sleep per day is essential for controlling blood pressure. Patients with poor sleep quality or sleep apnea syndrome should consider seeking medical treatment.
Regular monitoring of blood pressure is essential for managing high blood pressure. In the United States, many patients use home blood pressure monitors to measure their blood pressure regularly, record the results and share them with their doctors.
Home blood pressure monitoring can help patients understand their blood pressure changes and adjust their lifestyle or medication in a timely manner. Use a certified blood pressure monitor and measure blood pressure in a quiet environment to ensure the accuracy of the results.
People with hypertension should see their doctor regularly for evaluation and guidance. Depending on the blood pressure level, the doctor will adjust medication or further check the health of the heart, kidneys and other organs.
Hypertension management is a comprehensive process that requires scientific medication, a healthy diet, exercise, stress management, and long-term monitoring and medical support. In the United States, patients can effectively control their blood pressure and reduce the risk of complications through reasonable treatment methods, a safe lifestyle, and regular medical checkups, thereby improving their quality of life. Staying in close contact with your doctor and following a personalized treatment plan are the keys to successfully managing hypertension.
