When To Seek Medical Attention
Hypertension has no early symptoms thus, it is harder to detect than other types of diseases. It is best caught in the early stages before it causes damage to other organs of the body.
If left undetected and untreated, high blood pressure can lead to heart diseases such as heart attack and congestive heart failure, stroke, and kidney problems. Thus, a regular physical examination is essential to keep track of your blood pressure and ensure that it is within the normal range.
If you have hypertension in your family or if you are gaining weight, you have to check your blood pressure level regularly. Likewise, if you are being treated for the condition, you can raise your issues each time you visit your physician. On the other hand, there could be situations that warrant a call to your doctor. These instances include:
- If the treatment your doctor gave you is not working and your blood pressure level is still high.
- You are having other symptoms like lightheadedness, palpitations, confusion, fatigue, and shortness of breath. They may be severe and require immediate medical attention.
Thus, if you have concerns about your blood pressure condition, dont hesitate to contact your doctor.
What Causes A Hypertension
Blood pressure is given as a reading of two numbers, such as 110/70. The higher number is the pressure when the heart beats. The diastolic, or lower number shows the pressure between the heartbeats, while the relaxed heart is refilling with blood. Normal blood pressure readings are lower than 120/80. The cause of most hypertension is unknown. Occasionally, conditions of the kidney or adrenal gland are the cause of high blood pressure.
There are several factors that may cause high blood pressure, but the exact cause is unknown. The following factors may increase oneâs risk for high blood pressure:
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Do Pristiq Side Effects Go Away
If your doctor prescribes Pristiq for you, you may wonder how long Pristiq side effects last.
Most mild side effects caused by Pristiq usually go away on their own after a few days to weeks. Although the medication can also cause serious side effects, most of these can be treated and go away if you stop taking Pristiq.
But in rare cases, Pristiq may cause long-term side effects that dont go away. For more information, see Long-term side effects in the Serious side effects section above.
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Medications Used To Treat High Blood Pressure
Diuretics
These high blood pressure medications flush extra water and sodium from your body. Diuretics may cause these side effects:
- Extra urination. Extra water out means more time in the bathroom. Take these medications earlier in the day and when you’re not far away from a bathroom.
- Erection problems in some men
- Weakness, leg cramps, or fatigue. Diuretics may decrease the body’s levels of the mineral potassium, which can lead to these side effects. Certain potassium-sparing diuretics do not have this effect, however.
- Intense and sudden foot pain, which is a symptom of gout this is rare.
Beta-Blockers
Beta-blockers make your heart beat less forcefully and more slowly. These medications may cause side effects such as:
- Insomnia and sleep problems
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
These high blood pressure medications block formation of a hormone that causes blood vessels to narrow, so vessels relax. ACE inhibitors may cause these side effects:
- A dry, hacking cough that doesn’t go away. If you have this side effect, the doctor may prescribe another type of medication.
- Skin rash and a loss of taste are two other possible side effects of ACE inhibitors.
Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers
These high blood pressure medications shield blood vessels from a hormone that causes blood vessels to narrow. This allows blood vessels to stay open. One of the more common side effects of ARBs is dizziness.
Calcium Channel Blockers
Alpha-Blockers
Alpha-2 Receptor Agonist
Check With Your Doctor
Of course, people can use a pill splitter to divide most of these pills into halves or quarters. But don’t do this on your own, cautions Dr. Gibson. This is especially important for people who have heart disease, because blood pressure medications are the cornerstone therapy for treating many heart conditions, including heart rhythm disorders and heart failure.
But if you don’t have heart disease, it’s worth asking your doctor about the possibility of lowering your blood pressure medication dose. “Ideally, people should be prescribed the lowest effective dose of any medication they take,” says Dr. Gibson. During any routine office visit, be sure to review all your current medications with your physician and discuss any side effects you are experiencing.
But reaching that lower goal leaves people more prone to side effects especially fatigue, dizziness, and fainting, which can occur when blood pressure dips too low, says Dr. Gibson. Also, each class of blood pressure medication has its own side effects. For instance, some diuretics can cause excessive urination, although this usually improves after a few weeks. However, other side effects such as erectile dysfunction from beta blockers, leg swelling from certain calcium-channel blockers, and cough from ACE inhibitors tend to persist. When these occur, doctors often switch the person to a different class of blood pressure drug.
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What Are The Side Effects Of Aldactone
This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may occur. A healthcare provider can advise you on side effects. If you experience other effects, contact your healthcare provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at fda.gov/medwatch or 1-800-FDA-1088.
Like most medications, spironolactone can cause mild or serious side effects.
Dosage: How Much Spironolactone Should I Take
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor’s orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
- For oral dosage form :
- AdultsAt first, 75 milligrams per day, taken in either single or divided doses. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed.
- ChildrenUse and dose must be determined by your doctor.
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You Shouldn’t Ignore White Coat Hypertension
Some people experience white coat hypertension, when blood pressure is elevated in the doctor’s office but not in other settings. These patients need to monitor their blood pressure at home or wear an ambulatory blood pressure monitor that takes your blood pressure every 30 minutes for 24 hours.
While white coat hypertension was formerly considered simple nervousness, recent research suggests otherwise.
A study published in the journal Hypertension found that people with white coat hypertension are at a significantly greater risk for developing sustained high blood pressure than people who have normal blood pressure. One possible explanation is that people with white coat hypertension have a harder time managing stress and anxiety.
You’ll Be More Hydrated
Thinking about investing in a 64-ounce water bottle? Forget about it. All you need to be more hydrated is to snack on some cucumber slices and you’re set. Well, maybe you should still get the water bottle, and continue to drink water, but that doesn’t take away from cucumbers being a source of hydration.
According to a French and British population survey published by Nutrients, cucumbers are more than 95% waterwhich means that in addition to a crunchy snack, you’re also getting hydrated in the process of eating cucumbers.
“They can help contribute to your overall daily fluid intake and keep you feeling hydrated and your body functioning optimally,” says Registered Dietitian and Certified Nutrition Support Clinician Kristin Gillespie.
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What Arev Two Adhd Blood Pressure Meds Given To Children
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Can High Blood Pressure Affect Pregnancy
High blood pressure complicates about 10% of all pregnancies. There are several different types of high blood pressure during pregnancy and they range from mild to serious. The forms of high blood pressure during pregnancy include:
Chronic hypertension: High blood pressure which is present before pregnancy.
Gestational hypertension: High blood pressure in the latter part of pregnancy.
Preeclampsia: This is a dangerous condition that typically develops in the latter half of pregnancy and results in hypertension, protein in the urine and generalized swelling in the pregnant person. It can affect other organs in the body and cause seizures .
Chronic hypertension with superimposed preeclampsia: Pregnant people who have chronic hypertension are at increased risk for developing preeclampsia.
Your provider will check your blood pressure regularly during prenatal appointments, but if you have concerns about your blood pressure, be sure to talk with your provider.
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Stroke And Brain Problems
High blood pressure can cause the arteries that supply blood and oxygen to the brain to burst or be blocked, causing a stroke. Brain cells die during a stroke because they do not get enough oxygen. Stroke can cause serious disabilities in speech, movement, and other basic activities. A stroke can also kill you.
Having high blood pressure, especially in midlife, is linked to having poorer cognitive function and dementia later in life. Learn more about the link between high blood pressure and dementia from the National Institutes of Healths Mind Your Risks®external icon campaign.
When Should You Call A Doctor For High Blood Pressure
Many symptoms present gradually after years of poorly blood pressure control. Often, the first knowledge of hypertension occurs when a person complains of chest pain or has stroke-like symptoms. Should these occur, it is appropriate to call 911 immediately to activate emergency medical services and seek care.
You may be directed to seek medical care if blood pressure readings are elevated if done as part of a community health screening. Isolated elevated blood pressure readings do not necessarily make the diagnosis of hypertension. Blood pressure readings vary throughout the day, and your primary care provider may record a different reading than the one that was measured in a screening that sent you in for care.
There are non-specific symptoms associated with hypertension that may cause a person to seek care that includes
- lightheadedness,
There are many other reasons to develop these symptoms other than high blood pressure.
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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.
Blood Pressure And Ageing
With advancing years, the arteries tend to become more rigid . This may change a persons blood pressure pattern, with a higher systolic pressure and a lower diastolic pressure. The higher systolic pressure is important because it can further accelerate the rigidity of the arteries. This state is referred to as isolated systolic hypertension. Although these changes are due to ageing, this is not a normal state and may need medication to control the systolic pressures.
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Follow Up Your Blood Pressure
When making lifestyle changes, it is helpful to follow your blood pressure regularly. This can be done at your doctors office, or even better on your own. Just make sure you bring your home blood pressure monitor in to your doctors office on occasion to make sure it matches with their readings.
We should focus on lifestyle interventions that address some of the root causes of hypertension, reserving medications for blood pressure that is very high or isnt responsive to these interventions.
With good diet, exercise, and avoidance of substances that raise blood pressure, it is often possible to improve hypertension without medications.
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How Can I Lower My Blood Pressure Immediately
High blood pressure is a dangerous condition that impacts nearly half of adults in the United States according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . In 2018, close to half a million deaths in the country had high blood pressure as a primary or contributing cause. Occurring when the force of blood pressing against artery walls is consistently too high, high blood pressure requires a long-term care approach. However, there are several ways to temporarily lower your blood pressure in just a matter of minutesgive these methods a try if youd like to lower your blood pressure immediately:
- Take a warm bath or shower. Stay in your shower or bath for at least 15 minutes and enjoy the warm water. This can also help reduce muscle tension.
- Do a breathing exercise. Take a deep breath from your core, hold your breath for about two seconds, then slowly exhale. Pause for a few moments and repeat.
- Relax! Stress is a key contributor to high blood pressure, so do whatever you can to relax. This may be as simple as sitting in a quiet room for a few moments, doing a few stretching exercises, reading a good book, or meditating.
These techniques can provide a quick fix, but its important to implement a long-term care plan to successfully manage your high blood pressure. Some of the most effective ways to lower blood pressure include:
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Serious Side Effects Of Inderal La And Inderal Xl
Inderal may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to the prescribing information for Inderal LA and Inderal XL.
If you develop serious side effects while taking Inderal, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think youre having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:
- New or worsening heart failure. Symptoms can include:
- sudden weight gain
* To learn more about this side effect, see the Side effect specifics section below. An allergic reaction is possible after taking Inderal. However, its not clear whether this side effect occurred in clinical trials of Inderal LA or Inderal XL. To learn more, see the Side effect specifics section below.
Inderal may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drugs side effects and their answers.
Tips For Taking Blood Pressure Medication
Untreated high blood pressure can increase your risk of serious health problems. If your doctor prescribes medication to lower your blood pressure, remember:
- If you take blood pressure medication and your blood pressure goes down, it means medication and lifestyle changes are working. If another doctor asks if you have high blood pressure, the answer is, “Yes, but it is being treated.”
- Healthy lifestyle changes may help lower the dosage you need.
- Get up slowly from a seated or lying position and stand for a bit before walking. This lets your blood pressure adjust before walking to prevent lightheadedness and falls.
- Tell your doctor about all the drugs you take. Don’t forget to mention over-the-counter drugs, including vitamins and supplements. They may affect your blood pressure. They also can change how well your blood pressure medication works.
- Blood pressure medication should be taken at the same time each day as part of your daily routine. For example, take it in the morning with breakfast or in the evening before brushing your teeth. If you miss a dose, do not double the dose the next day.
- Remember to refill your medication before you run out and bring it with you when traveling. Its important to keep taking your medication unless your doctor tells you to stop.
- Before having surgery, ask your doctor if you should take your blood pressure medication on the day of your operation.
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