Understanding and regulatinghypertension
What is high blood pressure?
High blood pressure occurs when the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries is constantly too high. This damages your arteries over time and can lead to serious complications like heart attack or stroke.
How is it measured?
Blood pressure is the measurement of the pressure or force of blood pushing against the walls of blood vessels. In the United States, healthcare providers define hypertension as: more than 130 mmHg in systolic blood pressure (pressure on the walls of the arteries when the heart contracts), and/or more than 80 mmHg in diastolic blood pressure (pressure on the walls of the arteries when the heart relaxes).If your blood pressure is above the normal range (readings can vary depending on whether you're in a hospital or at home), your doctor will recommend lifestyle changes and/or medications. If your blood pressure is 180/120 mmHg or higher, you may experience symptoms such as headache, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, leg pain, or nosebleeds.
What are the causes?
Common causes include: unhealthy eating habits (including a high sodium diet). Lack of physical activity. High consumption of drinks containing alcohol. Certain medications, including immunosuppressants, NSAIDs (anti-inflammatories), etc. »How to fix it?
It is possible to lower your blood pressure without medication. For example, your doctor may recommend that you start with lifestyle changes.1/ Adopt a healthy diet:
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✱ a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products.
✱ Reduce your salt intake
✱ Eat enough potassium: bananas, avocados, potatoes (with skin)... Potassium is the most important electrolyte in the human body. »
Most people don't get enough potassium. However, hypertension can be aggravated by insufficient potassium intake. »
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1/ There are two kinds of hypertension
Primitive: it has no specific cause (85% of cases).
Its treatment
▪ Weight loss and exercise
▪ Smoking cessation
▪ Adequate sleep duration (> 6 hours/night)
▪ Balanced diet: increased intake of fruits and vegetables, reduction of salt, limitation of alcohol. or Secondary: the cause is identified:
either another pathology (kidney problems, endocrine glands, etc.),
or taking certain medications (nasal decongestants containing ephedrine, anti-inflammatories, etc.).
Its treatment: medications, depending on blood pressure and the presence of cardiovascular diseases or risk factors.»
2/ The measurement must not be occasional
It can be paroxysmal