Toxicity And Side Effect Management
Side effects are generally mild and resolve promptly upon decreasing the dosage or discontinuing the drug for short intervals.
Patients should be frequently monitored for side effects, more so in the early initiation phase of therapy when they are much frequent. Side effects are usually self-limited and include hypotension and ACEi/ ARBs), electrolyte imbalances, pedal edema and renal dysfunction. Renal dysfunction and electrolyte imbalance especially hyponatremia and hyperkalemia are frequent with ACEi and ARBs and need to be monitored periodically until the achievement of static levels of Cr, K, and Na.
For patients with severe side effects like symptomatic hyperkalemia or hyponatremia, syncope and acute kidney injury , treatment needs to be discontinued, and in-patient management is advised. Nephrologist and cardiologist opinions also need to be sought in such cases. Once the issues settle, treatment needs to be re-instituted gradually and cautiously with careful monitoring and frequent follow-ups.
Angioedema has been a potentially life-threatening side effect of ACEi and ARBs in susceptible individuals and warrants prompt discontinuation and is also a lifelong contra-indication for ACEi/ ARB usage.
Seizures And Loss Of Consciousness
High blood pressure affects the brain in several ways. With the brain tissue being so sensitive to changes, particularly changes in the blood oxygen levels, a person may experience seizures. Sometimes there may even be loss of consciousness although this is uncommon. Both instances are more likely to occur with a hypertensive crisis. The impact on the central nervous system may also result in anxiety or even nausea.
References:
Frequently Asked Questions About Hypertension
Q: If left untreated, does hypertension get worse?
A: Its hard to say. Researchers are starting to see that kids and adolescents with pre-hypertension are more likely to develop stage 1 hypertension, but we dont know if or when stage 1 hypertension will progress to stage 2.
Q: Can hypertension be cured?
A: In some cases, secondary hypertension can be fixed. For example, if:
- its caused by a narrowing in a blood vessel that the doctors are able to widen
- its caused by a rare endocrine tumor that doctors are able to treat successfully
There are also cases in which hypertension might be transient for example, if its caused by a temporary inflammation of the filters in the kidney.
Even when hypertension cant be fixed, it can almost always be well-controlled, with diet and exercise and/or medication.
Q: If my child is being treated for hypertension, what should I watch out for?
A: Keep an eye out for:
- chest pains
- severe headaches that dont seem to respond to at-home treatment
- changes in vision
- swelling of hands and feet
- shortness of breath with limited exertion
- changes in her urine
Q: Will my child need to go on medication?
A: Only a fraction of kids with hypertension require medication. Frequently, its treated with diet and exercise modification first. And if the child is overweight, every kilogram of weight she loses, her blood pressure could bring her blood pressure down by about a point.
Q: Will my child have hypertension as an adult?
Don’t Miss: Reverse Pulmonary Hypertension
Which Number Is More Important
Typically, more attention is given to systolic blood pressure as a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease for people over 50. In most people, systolic blood pressure rises steadily with age due to the increasing stiffness of large arteries, long-term buildup of plaque and an increased incidence of cardiac and vascular disease.
However, either an elevated systolic or an elevated diastolic blood pressure reading may be used to make a diagnosis of high blood pressure. According to recent studies, the risk of death from ischemic heart disease and stroke doubles with every 20 mm Hg systolic or 10 mm Hg diastolic increase among people from age 40 to 89.
What Medications Are Used To Treat High Blood Pressure
Four classes of high blood pressure medications are considered first line when starting treatment. Sometimes other medications are coupled with these first-line drugs to better control your high blood pressure. First-line, pressure-lowering medications are:
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors block the production of the angiotensin II hormone, which the body naturally uses to control blood pressure. When angiotensin II is blocked, your blood vessels dont narrow. Examples: lisinopril , enalapril or captopril.
- Angiotensin II receptor blockers block this same hormone from binding with receptors in the blood vessels. ARBs work the same way as ACE inhibitors to keep blood vessels from narrowing. Examples: metoprolol , valsartan or losartan.
- Calcium channel blockers prevent calcium from entering the muscle cells of your heart and blood vessels, allowing these vessels to relax. Examples: amlodipine , nifedipine , diltiazem .
- Diuretics flush excess sodium from your body, reducing the amount of fluid in your blood. Diuretics are often used with other high blood pressure medicines, sometimes in one combined pill. Examples: indapamide, hydrochlorothiazide or chlorothiazide.
Don’t Miss: High Blood Pressure Side Effect
Understanding The Stages Of Hypertension
High blood pressure is classified in one of several categories and those designations can influence treatment.
Doctors classify blood pressure into four categories: normal, prehypertension , stage 1 and stage 2 . Treatment depends on which category your pressure consistently falls in when readings are taken. The stages are based on the Joint National Committee 7 report done by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, which is a part of the National Institutes of Health.
Are you doing everything you can to manage your heart condition? Find out with our interactive checkup.
Managing High Blood Pressure
Not drinking alcohol, or limiting the amount of alcohol that you drink, can help control high blood pressure.
Regular physical activity is important for your overall health, and it is an effective way to lower your blood pressure.
A diet high in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, and low in sodium, saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesterol can help manage high blood pressure.
Maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise can also help keep blood pressure in check.
Lifestyle choices are important to managing blood pressure, but sometimes healthy choices are not enough. Your doctor may prescribe medication to lower your blood pressure.
Recommended Reading: Does Claritin D Raise Blood Pressure
Rates Of High Blood Pressure Vary By Geography
High blood pressure is more common in some areas of the United States than in others. Below is a map showing the self-reported rate of hypertension by state in 2011 . However, this map likely underreports the true effect of hypertension in each state, because about 1 in 5 adults with high blood pressure is unaware of it and would not report having it.5
How Is Pulmonary Hypertension Diagnosed
Signs of pulmonary hypertension can be similar to the signs of many other health problems. This makes it hard to diagnose. Your doctor will probably run tests to estimate the blood pressure in your pulmonary arteries. He or she will also want to find out how well your heart and lungs are working. These tests may include:
- A chest X-ray
- A breathing test called a lung function test
- An echocardiogram
Your doctor may also need to do other tests to find out whether another medical condition is causing your pulmonary hypertension. These could include:
- Blood tests
- A chest CT scan
- A chest MRI
If your doctor determines that you have pulmonary hypertension, he or she will want to see how severe it is. For this, they may order an exercise test. These tests measure your activity level and how well your lungs and heart work while you are exercising. These tests can also be done during treatment to see how well the treatment is working.
PAH and your diet
Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a condition in which the arteries that carry oxygen-rich blood to your lungs are constricted. If you have PAH, you might experience:
- dizziness
- nausea
- difficulty breathing
You can take control of your PAH by making healthy choices and by staying dedicated to your new routine. What you eat is especially important. Some foods raise blood pressure, while others can cause weight gain.
You May Like: Does Claritin D Raise Blood Pressure
Read Also: Best Medicine To Lower Blood Pressure
Some Of The Symptoms Noticed Include The Following
Chest pain, nose bleed, shortness of breath, visual changes, and blood in the urine.
Your doctor may recommend more frequent monitoring of blood pressure levels considering the risk factors. If you have had cardiovascular problems or high blood pressure in your youth, it is necessary to monitor your blood pressure levels regularly. As your age increases, the risk of hypertension also increases. Other risk factors associated with high blood pressure include your family history, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, stress, and high dependence on tobacco or alcohol.
If Your Hypertension Is Resistant
It may take time for you and your doctor to work out a successful lifestyle and medication plan to lower your blood pressure.
Its very likely that youll find a combination of drugs that works, especially since new medications are always under development.
If your hypertension is resistant, its important that you keep working with your doctor and stick with your medication plan.
Read Also: Long Term Effects Of High Blood Pressure
Stage Two Of Hypertension
This stage is referred to as prehypertension. Systolic will be between 130 and 139 mm Hg and diastolic will be between 80 and 89 mm Hg. Prehypertension is exactly what it sounds like, the stage before someone crosses into hypertension. A person who is at stage two of hypertension is at risk for developing high blood pressure, but still has a chance to avoid it.
At this stage, a person has some risk of experiencing heart disease or a stroke. Medication is typically not used at this point because it hasnât been proven to help against potential strokes or heart disease at this stage. However, a person should still try to make lifestyle changes to avoid hypertension. This could mean quitting smoking or changing the way you eat. Exercise is a great way of lowering your blood pressure, as is trying the DASH diet.
How Blood Pressure Is Measured
Blood pressure is measured with an instrument called a sphygmomanometer, through which the user listens for the sound of the force of blood in the patients arteries when the heart beats . Measured in millimeters of mercury , systolic pressure is the top number in your blood pressure reading. The second, or bottom number, is the pressure in the arteries of the heart at rest the diastolic pressure. Generally, as an adult, you are considered to have high blood pressure if your systolic pressure reading is greater than or equal to 140 mm Hg or if your diastolic pressure is greater than or equal to 90 mm Hg. But for every 20 mm Hg your systolic pressure raises above 115, and for every 10 mm Hg your diastolic pressure rises over 75, your risk of cardiovascular disease doubles so lower pressures are generally better.
Read Also: Pain Increase Blood Pressure
Availability Of Data And Materials
The data were obtained from the National Health Insurance Sharing Service by National health insurance company in Korea. Due to legal restrictions, the database cannot be made publicly available. However, data are available from the authors upon reasonable request and with permission of the National Health Insurance Sharing Service.
Stage Four Of Hypertension
Stage four is known as âstage 2â hypertension. Systolic is at 160 mm Hg or higher and diastolic is at 100 mm Hg or higher. At this point, a personâs hypertension would be classified as severe. Due to this, they would most likely be recommended a two-drug therapy to try and bring their blood pressure down. A person at stage 2 hypertension is at high risk for coronary heart disease, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke. You will have to have your blood pressure checked regularly and follow a strict regimen that will likely include dietary changes, exercise, and lifestyle changes.
Are You At Risk With Hypertension?
Are you wondering if your blood pressure is high? Are you aware of your high blood pressure and looking to change it? BASS Urgent Care is here for you! With our services, we are not only able to check your blood pressure, but help you determine if you need to make lifestyle changes or consider medication to help lower it. If you are in the Walnut Creek area and looking for medical assistance, look to BASS Urgent Care for help.
You May Like: Does Apple Watch Detect Blood Pressure
Blood Pressure Measurements And Classification
Blood pressure was measured three times while the respondent seated using automated OMRON R6 Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor, HEM-6000-E, Health Care Europe, B.V., Hoofddorp, The Netherlands. Such digital monitors have been shown to have high degree of agreement with mercury sphygmomanometers for systolic blood pressure . Average blood pressure was calculated arithmetically for the 3 measurements of each systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Missing values were excluded from being included in the study. Blood pressure classification was done using JNC 7 algorithm . Prehypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure measurement of 120139mmHg or diastolic blood pressure of 8089mmHg. Stage 1 hypertension was defined as SBP of 140159mmHg or DBP of 9099mmHg and stage 2 as SBP of greater than or equal to 160mmHg or DBP of greater than or equal to 100mmHg. Accordingly normal pressure was defined as SBP of less than 120mmHg and DBP of less than 80mmHg.
Is Prehypertension A Result Of Aging
You may wonder if high blood pressure happens with aging, but experts say no.
Some populations across the globe have minimal rise in blood pressure with aging. In some parts of Mexico, the South Pacific, and other parts of the world, people have very low salt intake. In these areas, the age-related rise in blood pressure is small compared with the U.S.
You May Like: Claritin Raise Blood Pressure
Rates Of High Blood Pressure Control Vary By Sex And Race
Uncontrolled high blood pressure is common however, certain groups of people are more likely to have control over their high blood pressure than others.
- A greater percentage of men have high blood pressure than women .3
- High blood pressure is more common in non-Hispanic black adults than in non-Hispanic white adults , non-Hispanic Asian adults , or Hispanic adults .3
- Among those recommended to take blood pressure medication, blood pressure control is higher among non-Hispanic white adults than in non-Hispanic black adults , non-Hispanic Asian adults , or Hispanic adults .3
Can Primary Hypertension Be Prevented
Pediatricians are making great efforts to prevent obesity and stem the tide of problems that accompany it. We believe that promoting healthy lifestyle choices will help combat this trend and will go a long way towards preventing primary hypertension in children .
Some things are being donenutritional information is being made more readily available, theres one push to provide healthy options in schools and another to remove soft drinks from thembut still, it often comes down to families making the right decisions. We are dedicated to educating families to assist with appropriate dietary and activity choices to improve overall health and reduce the risk of hypertension.
Also Check: High Blood Pressure Heart Pain
The Different Stages Of Hypertension
High blood pressure is a common, yet serious, health problem in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that one-third of U.S. adults have high blood pressure, and only half of those who have hypertension are managing it properly. Many dont even realize that they have high blood pressure.
Having high blood pressure increases your risk of death from heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular disease. Checking your blood pressure on a regular basis can help you avoid the dangers associated with hypertension. What is high blood pressure, what are the different stages of hypertension, and when should you see a doctor for your blood pressure?
What Is Normal Blood Pressure
A blood pressure reading is written like this: 120/80. It’s read as “120 over 80.” The top number is called the systolic, and bottom number is called the diastolic. The ranges are:
- Normal: Less than 120 over 80
- Elevated: 120-129/less than 80
- Stage 1 high blood pressure: 130-139/80-89
- Stage 2 high blood pressure: 140 and above/90 and above
- Hypertension crisis: higher than 180/higher than 120 — See a doctor right away
If your blood pressure is above the normal range, talk to your doctor about how to lower it.
Read Also: High Blood Pressure Shaking
What Causes Pulmonary Hypertension
Many things can cause pulmonary hypertension. This can make finding the exact cause difficult. Sometimes the disease is inherited. This means it is passed down from a parent to a child in their genes. Other times the cause isnt known. This is called idiopathic pulmonary hypertension.
When pulmonary hypertension develops because of another medical condition, it is called secondary pulmonary hypertension. Breathing problems such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis, as well as sleep apnea, are common causes of secondary pulmonary hypertension. Other causes include:
- Congestive heart failure
- Certain medicines or street drugs
Some people have a higher risk of developing pulmonary hypertension. These include people who:
- Have a family history of the condition
- Have certain conditions, such as heart disease, lung disease, liver disease, HIV infection, or blood clots in the pulmonary arteries
- Use street drugs or certain diet medicines
- Live at high altitudes
Effects Of Hypertension And The Applicable Treatment
The most notable effect of hypertension is that it causes damage to the heart. High blood pressure results in cardiac problems such as heart failure, coronary heart disease, and enlargement. Apart from the heart, hypertension can cause serious damage to other organs like the brain, kidneys, arteries, and eyes. These can lead to life-threatening complications such as dementia, kidney failure, and retinal damage if not controlled properly. Thankfully, hypertension is manageable, even if you have a history of heart problems.
Consistent monitoring and keeping track of your blood pressure is the first step. Next, you will need to put a few lifestyle-related changes in place. These, paired with proper exercise and stress management, can do wonders for keeping pressure levels under control.
Stress is a major cause of hypertension. Activities like meditation, yoga, massages, and deep breathing techniques can help control hypertension. Reducing unhealthy practices like alcohol consumption and smoking will also help a great deal.
Lastly, you must follow a healthy diet. Limit unnecessary carbohydrate and sugar intakes while maintaining a low sodium diet. Excess salt in food causes an increase in blood pressure. Besides these, medications also help. Common blood pressure medications prescribed by doctors include beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, and diuretics, to name a few.
References
Also Check: Can You Have Heart Problems With Good Blood Pressure