Sunday, March 24, 2024
HomePopularHow To Stop High Blood Pressure

How To Stop High Blood Pressure

Can I Stop My Hypertension Medication

How To Prevent High Blood Pressure

To make an informed choice about your need for ongoing treatment, you and your healthcare provider will first need to review the cause of your high blood pressure.

  • Family history of high blood pressure
  • Lack of exercise
  • Too much salt in your diet

The factors that contribute to high blood pressure generally fall into two categories: modifiable and unmodifiable.

Modifiable factors are those you can make changes to, such as your diet and activity level. Others, like genetics and age, are not factors you can control.

In 90-95% of cases, the exact cause of hypertension is never found. This type of high blood pressure is called “essential hypertension” or “primary hypertension.”

If your healthcare provider determines that your high blood pressure is primarily related to modifiable factors and your blood pressure readings normalize after you make changes, it may be time to discuss whether you need to continue taking medication.

Research has yet to establish exactly how long patients need to have normal blood pressure after making lifestyle changes before stopping meds, but several studies have suggested waiting anywhere from six months to two years.

Ultimately, the decision is subjective, and each person’s needs must be assessed individually. However, if you’ve lost weight, sustained a healthy diet and exercise program, and quit smoking, your healthcare provider may decide to have you try a trial period without medication.

What Causes High Blood Pressure

Risk factors for developing high blood pressure include:

  • Family history
  • Gender
  • Up to age 64, men are more likely to develop high blood pressure than women
  • At age 65 and older, women are more likely to develop high blood pressure than men
  • Race: African-Americans tend to develop high blood pressure more frequently than people of other races in the U.S.
  • Risk factors for developing high blood pressure that can be prevented or managed include:

    What Causes Resistant Hypertension

    The following can all contribute to the development of both hypertension and resistant hypertension:

    • Obesity.
    • A diet high in salt.
    • Heavy alcohol intake.

    Drugs and medications

    A variety of medications including prescription and over-the-counter drugs, can contribute to poor blood pressure control.

    Examples include:

    • Ginseng, licorice or other herbal products.

    Secondary causes

    Sometimes treatable secondary causes may be the source of your resistant hypertension. These conditions may be raising your blood pressure.

    Examples of such secondary causes include:

    • Primary hyperaldosteronism, an excessive production of certain hormones from the adrenal glands.
    • Renal artery stenosis, a narrowing of the arteries of the kidneys.
    • Chronic kidney disease.
    • Sleep apnea.
    • Less common causes include pheochromocytoma, a tumor in the adrenal gland aortic narrowing and Cushing syndrome, an overproduction of some steroid hormones.

    Don’t Miss: Low To Lower Blood Pressure

    What To Do For Mild Covid

    Theres currently no specific treatment for COVID-19. But for mild cases, there are some things you can do to help with your recovery:

    • Get plenty of rest to aid your body in fighting the infection.
    • Be sure to drink fluids to prevent dehydration.
    • Take over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen to help ease symptoms like fever and any aches and pains.

    Remember that these tips are only for cases of mild COVID-19 that can be treated at home. If you have worsening symptoms, seek emergency care.

    Why Lowering Your Bp Matters

    Blood Pressure: Top 6 Foods To Avoid With High Blood Pressure

    Over time, high blood pressure can lead to an array of health complications. HBP does not have symptoms, so its especially important to visit your primary physician on a regular basis. They will be able to determine if your blood pressure is abnormal and prescribe a treatment plan for you.

    HPB can lead to:

    • Damage to your heart and arteries
    • Memory loss
    • Vision loss

    Read Also: Does Iwatch Do Blood Pressure

    Consider Cutting Back On Caffeine

    Caffeine raises your blood pressure, but the effect is temporary.

    In a 2017 study, the systolic blood pressure of 18 participants was elevated for 2 hours after they drank 32 ounces of either a caffeinated drink or an energy drink. Blood pressure then dropped more quickly for the participants who drank a caffeinated drink .

    Some people may be more sensitive to caffeine than others. If youre caffeine-sensitive, you may want to cut back on your coffee consumption, or try .

    Research on caffeine, including its health benefits, is in the news a lot. The choice of whether to cut back depends on many individual factors.

    One older study indicated that caffeines effect on raising blood pressure is greater if your blood pressure is already high. This same study, however, called for more research on the subject .

    If your blood pressure is very high or doesnt decrease after making these lifestyle changes, your doctor may recommend prescription drugs.

    They work and will improve your long-term outcome, especially if you have other risk factors (

    Regular Blood Pressure Checks For Over Over 40’s

    The only way to find out whether you have high blood pressure is to have your blood pressure checked regularly. Ask your GP when you are next due for yours to be checked.

    Blood pressure checks are usually available on request at most GP surgeries and health clinics. Some surgeries have home monitoring devices available, which you may be able to use at the time of blood pressure medication start up or change. Many also have a policy of arranging regular checks for you.

    Adults who are over 40 and have not been diagnosed with high blood pressure should have their blood pressure checked at least once every five years. However, your blood pressure should ideally be checked more frequently, particularly if you have any contributory risk factors.

    Recommended Reading: Prevention Of Low Blood Pressure

    How Do I Know If I Have High Blood Pressure

    High blood pressure, which is also called hypertension, doesnt usually cause symptoms. So you wont know if you have high blood pressure without it being measured by a health professional.

    Some people may experience headaches, nosebleeds or feel short of breath, but these symptoms usually only occur when blood pressure is dangerously high.

    Untreated high blood pressure raises your risk of heart disease, stroke and chronic kidney disease.

    Around 1 in 3 Australians have been diagnosed with hypertension.

    Limit Your Alcohol Intake

    How To Reduce High Blood Pressure Naturally | How To Prevent High Blood Pressure Naturally

    Regularly drinking too much alcohol can raise your blood pressure over time.

    Staying within the recommended levels is the best way to reduce your risk of developing high blood pressure:

    • men and women are advised not to regularly drink more than 14 units a week
    • spread your drinking over 3 days or more if you drink as much as 14 units a week

    Also Check: Best Medicine To Lower Blood Pressure

    Vitamin C Is A Good Natural Remedy For High Blood Pressure

    One of the best vitamins for treating hypertension is vitamin C because of its benefits to the health of your arteries.

    A systematic review of 29 trials found that taking 500 mg of vitamin C a day helped to quickly treat high blood pressure problems. Over an 8-week period, vitamin C supplementation was effective in lowering both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

    Find out more about the benefits of taking vitamin C to strengthen your immunity and prevent oxidative damage in your body.

    About High Blood Pressure

    High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is usually defined as having a sustained blood pressure of 140/90mmHg or above.

    The line between normal and raised blood pressure is not fixed and depends on your individual circumstances. However, most doctors agree that the ideal blood pressure for a physically healthy person is around 120/80mmHg.

    A normal blood pressure reading is classed as less than 130/80mmHg.

    Don’t Miss: Claritin D And High Blood Pressure

    Manage Stress To Help Control High Blood Pressure

    If stress is the cause of your hypertension, knowing how to control stress can help to lower blood pressure fast.

    Most doctors agree that chronic stress is a precursor for hypertension. Pressures at work, in the family, or in dealing with distressing situations can cause blood pressure to rise and become a chronic condition.

    Researchers have identified some scientifically-proven ways to lower blood pressure without medication.

    The results of a 2016 review on the effect of music in lowering hypertension found that regularly listening to music helped to lower systolic blood pressure.

    Other studies have shown that managing occupational stress can help to lower blood pressure in men and women and lowered the risk of cardiovascular disease.

    Learn more about the many ways that stress affects your body and what you can do to cope with stress better.

    Eat More Potassium And Less Sodium

    How To Prevent High Blood Pressure With Diet

    Increasing your potassium intake and cutting back on salt can also lower your blood pressure .

    Potassium is a double winner: It lessens the effects of salt in your system and eases tension in your blood vessels. However, diets rich in potassium may be harmful to people with kidney disease, so talk with your doctor before increasing your potassium intake.

    Its easy to eat more potassium. So many foods are naturally high in potassium. Here are a few:

    • chips
    • other processed snacks

    Foods labeled low fat are usually high in salt and sugar to compensate for the loss of fat. Fat is what gives food taste and makes you feel full.

    Cutting down on or even better, cutting out processed food will help you eat less salt, less sugar, and fewer refined carbohydrates. All of this can result in lower blood pressure.

    Make it a practice to check nutrition labels. According to the Food and Drug Administration , a sodium listing of 5 percent or less on a food label is considered low, while 20 percent or more is considered high (

    Recommended Reading: Claritin D High Blood Pressure

    How Can I Prevent High Blood Pressure

    You can help prevent high blood pressure by having a healthy lifestyle. This means:

    If you already have high blood pressure, it is important to prevent it from getting worse or causing complications. You should get regular medical care and follow your prescribed treatment plan. Your plan will include healthy lifestyle habit recommendations and possibly medicines.

    NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

    Nix Your Nicotine Addiction

    Each cigarette you smoke temporarily raises blood pressure for several minutes after you finish. If youre a heavy smoker, your blood pressure can stay elevated for extended periods of time.

    People with high blood pressure who smoke are at greater risk for developing dangerously high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke.

    Even secondhand smoke can put you at increased risk for high blood pressure and heart disease.

    Aside from providing numerous other health benefits, quitting smoking can help your blood pressure return to normal. Visit our smoking cessation center to take steps to quit today.

    Drinking a glass of red wine with your dinner is perfectly fine. It might even offer heart-health benefits when done in moderation.

    But drinking excessive amounts of alcohol can lead to lots of health issues, including high blood pressure.

    Excessive drinking can also reduce the effectiveness of certain blood pressure medications.

    What does drinking in moderation mean? The AHA recommends that men limit their consumption to two alcoholic drinks per day. Women should limit their intake to one alcoholic drink per day.

    One drink equals:

    Don’t Miss: Blood Pressure Mayo Clinic

    Try These Medicinal Herbs

    Herbal medicines have long been used in many cultures to treat a variety of ailments.

    Some herbs have even been shown to possibly lower blood pressure. However, more research is needed to identify the doses and components in the herbs that are most useful.

    Always check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking herbal supplements. They may interfere with your prescription medications.

    Heres a partial list of plants and herbs that are used by cultures throughout the world to lower blood pressure:

    • black bean
    • river lily
    • Avoid daytime naps.
    • Make your bedroom comfortable.

    The 2010 national Sleep Heart Health Study found that regularly sleeping fewer than 7 hours a night and more than 9 hours a night was associated with an increased rate of high blood pressure.

    Regularly sleeping fewer than 5 hours a night was linked to a significant risk of high blood pressure long term .

    Olive Oil Helps Manage Hypertension In Men

    Blood Pressure: How High is Too High and How Do I Lower it Safely?

    Olive oil is one of the best foods to take to help lower blood pressure naturally and improve your cardio health.

    One study found that people who regularly consumed olive oil in their diet had a lower risk of hypertension. Interestingly, scientists noted that olive oil helped treat hypertension in men, not in women. However, this may be because women, in general, suffer from high blood pressure less than men.

    Other studies have shown that consuming olive oil daily can help treat high blood pressure in elderly people. Researchers also noted that olive oil consumption helped lower high cholesterol at the same time.

    Learn more about the benefits to your heart from consuming olive oil every day.

    Recommended Reading: Pain Increase Blood Pressure

    How To Lower Blood Pressure In Minutes

    Disclaimer: Results are not guaranteed*** and may vary from person to person***.

    High blood pressure can hit at any time, and the results can be devastating. When an acute jump occurs, knowing how to lower blood pressure in minutes can be the difference between life and death.

    This is especially true if youre one of the 75 million American adults suffering from hypertension , or one of the other 75 million with prehypertension. When a boost hits, its good to know how to make blood pressure go down quickly.

    Your blood pressure rises and falls throughout the day, and this is completely normal. Stress, anxiety, exercise, and activity can all lead to increases, while relaxation, getting ready for bed, and sleep can all bring it back down.

    But not all high blood pressure is safe, and the longer it stays at a high rate, the more health risks you assume. Risks include acute responses like sweating, fainting or shortness of breath, and more severe issues like heart disease and heart attack can arise. So when stress hits, knowing how to lower blood pressure quickly can be a great health benefit.

    Reducing Your Salt Intake

    The American Heart Association recommends no more than a teaspoon of salt a day for adults. That may sound alarmingly small, but there are many painless ways to reduce your sodium intake.

    Reduce canned and processed foods. Much of the salt you eat comes from canned or processed foods like soups, convenience meals, and fast food.

    Cook more meals at home. Preparing your own meals gives you more control over your sodium intake. Use fresh ingredients whenever possible and cook without salt.

    Use spices as alternatives to salt. Try fresh herbs like basil, thyme, or chives, or dried spices such as allspice, bay leaves, or cumin to flavor your meal without sodium.

    Substitute reduced sodium versions. Choose your condiments and packaged foods carefully, looking for foods labeled sodium free, low sodium, or unsalted.

    See Heart-Healthy Diet Tips to learn more.

    The effects on your blood pressure

    • Adopting the DASH diet, eating plenty of fruit and vegetables, and reducing your consumption of unhealthy fats can lower your blood pressure by about 11 mm Hg.
    • Cutting back on sodium by about 1,000 mg per day can reduce your blood pressure by 5 to 6 mm Hg.
    • Increasing your potassium intake from food to 3,500-5,000 mg can knock 4 to 5 mm Hg off your reading.
    • Limiting your alcohol intake to two drinks per day if youre male, or one drink per day if youre female can lower your reading by about 4 mm Hg.

    Don’t Miss: Claritin D Blood Pressure

    Apple Cider Vinegar Can Help Lower Blood Pressure Naturally

    Although apple cider may not lower blood pressure immediately, it could help treat some types of hypertension.

    Most of the medicinal properties of apple cider vinegar come from its content of acetic acid. One study found that acetic acid helps to inhibit certain enzymes that can cause high blood pressure. Scientists found that acetic acid solutions had a positive effect on blood pressure levels.

    You can learn more about the therapeutic effects of apple cider vinegar to help cure hypertension without medication.

    Diagnosing High Blood Pressure

    You CAN Prevent High Blood Pressure â John Hobbs

    The only way to find out whether you have high blood pressure is to have your blood pressure checked regularly. Ask your GP when you are next due for yours to be checked.

    Before having your blood pressure taken, you should rest for at least five minutes and empty your bladder. To get an accurate blood pressure reading, you should be sitting down and not talking when the reading is taken.

    Having one high blood pressure reading does not necessarily mean that you have high blood pressure. Your blood pressure can change throughout the day. Feeling anxious or stressed when you visit your GP can raise your blood pressure .

    Therefore, your GP will need to take several readings over a set period of time, usually every month, to see whether your blood pressure level is consistently high.

    Blood and urine tests may also be carried out in order to check for conditions that are known to cause an increase in blood pressure, such as kidney infections.

    You may also be given a blood pressure device to take home so that you can record your blood pressure level throughout the day. This also helps to identify white coat syndrome and therefore helps to identify the best treatment options for you.

    Recommended Reading: Calibrate Omron

    Cacao Powder To Bring Down Blood Pressure Naturally

    One of the best drinks for high blood pressure to enjoy is hot chocolate made from cacao powder.

    One study into the effect of cacao drinks on hypertension found that they can help reduce blood pressure by around 4 mmHg.

    Other studies have found that the rich antioxidant content in cacao drinks is good for helping to manage high blood pressure in elderly people.

    RELATED ARTICLES

    Popular Articles