I Quit Drinking Alcohol
I used to drink a lot as I had a good head for alcoholic beverages. However, my doctor friend suggested I quit taking alcoholic beverages or drinks. It was quite a difficult decision for me, but I was able to stay off alcohol for 30 days straight. Since then, I only take a sip or two of red wine occasionally. Red wine is good for the heart.
However, I still had to fall back to those blood pressure medications once in a while due to the nature of my work. I wanted a lasting solution to this common disorder.
What Is Diastolic Hypertension
Your heart is a muscular pump that works in cycles, each consisting of two phases.
The lower chambers of your heart squeeze and push blood into the arteries and the rest of your body. This part is called systole, and the force that your blood exerts on the artery walls during this period is called systolic blood pressure. This is the upper value you see when measuring your blood pressure at home.
Diastole is also the phase when coronary blood vessels deliver blood to the heart muscle. High or low values of blood pressure are usually a sign of changes in your cardiovascular system that could cause problems in the future.
Hypertension can be combined, when both values are elevated, or it can be isolated when only systolic or diastolic blood pressure is elevated. In 2017, the American Heart Association issued new guidelines for hypertension, defining elevated blood pressure as anything above 130/80 mm Hg.
The new criteria defined isolated diastolic hypertension as systolic blood pressure less than 130 mm Hg with a diastolic blood pressure higher or equal to 80 mm Hg.
Medications For High Blood Pressure
Other names: Drug-Induced Hypertension
High blood pressure is a term that is used to acknowledge that a persons blood pressure is above what is considered normal. High blood pressure is also called hypertension.
Measuring somebody’s blood pressure gives us an indication of how effectively their heart is working to pump blood around their body. If their heart and blood vessels are working efficiently, then their blood pressure will be normal or slightly below normal. If their heart is having to work very hard to pump blood around their body, then their blood pressure will be high.
Blood pressure is composed of two measurements.
- The first recording is called the systolic pressure and it measures the force the heart must pump against to get blood to flow around the body. It can indicate how flexible or stiff the blood vessels are. During this measurement, the blood pressure cuff inflates to a certain extent and records what pressure around the arm stops blood flow.
- The second recording is called diastolic pressure. This measures the resting pressure when the heart relaxes between heartbeats. It is recorded while the blood pressure cuff is deflating.
Most experts consider a normal blood pressure to be 120/80 mm Hg. Ideally, everybodys blood pressure should be below 130/80 mm Hg. If the first number is above 130 or the second number is above 80 then a person is said to have high blood pressure.
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Is Diastolic Hypertension Dangerous
Diastolic hypertension was initially thought to be the most important predicament of cardiovascular disease, more so than systolic. However, studies done in the last decade have proven the opposite. While systolic hypertension was always associated with a higher risk of heart attack and stroke, this wasnt true for patients with elevated diastolic pressure whose systolic blood pressure was under 140 mm Hg.
The truth is that we are still unsure of the exact way in which diastolic hypertension affects the heart. The medical community is divided on this subject, with one part believing that diastolic hypertension is a risk factor for heart attack and stroke, and the other claiming otherwise. Studies done in the last few years support the idea that diastolic hypertension doesnt carry a direct risk of cardiovascular events.
Elevated diastolic blood pressure usually happens in people younger than 45, while systolic hypertension is more common in older adults. By managing diastolic hypertension, you could avoid developing systolic hypertension in your older years, and thereby also all the risk it carries. This is why it is important not to ignore diastolic hypertension.
How We Tested The Blood Pressure Monitors
The Verywell Health team tested 10 blood pressure monitors at The Verywell Testing Lab to see how they performed amongst a few key attributes, including setup, fit, accuracy, ease of use, data display, portability, and overall value. We chose these attributes because we believe that they are most aligned with the priorities of someone shopping for a blood pressure. All of the products we tested have been validated by the American Medical Association.
Verywell Health / Nick Kova
Our five testers, which included three Verywell Health editors and a nurse practitioner, tested 10 blood pressure monitors over the course of eight hours. Following the American Heart Associations guidelines for blood pressure monitor use, we asked our testers to fast for 30 minutes before both the morning and afternoon tests. These are the recommended times to take blood pressure readings, so we scheduled our day accordingly. Additionally, each tester sat with both feet on the ground and fit the cuff around their bare upper arm for every test.
Verywell Health / Nick Kova
Verywell Health / Nick Kova
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Blood Pressure Medications Causing Coughing: What To Do
If youre taking blood pressure medicine and have developed a cough, you dont have to live with it 6. It is recommended to talk to your physician or health care provider about your problem. They may re-evaluate your treatment, change medication or give you something to stop a cough.
In addition, theres always a possibility a cough is being caused by another issue and not the medication. As with any issue related to your health, always consult with your physician.
Which Medications Can Lower Blood Pressure
There are several classes of drugs designed to reduce blood pressure . The following are the most commonly used antihypertensives:
- ACE inhibitors
- Calcium channel blockers
- Sartans
All of these medications can prevent long-term effects of high blood pressure. The suitability of a medication will depend on various factors. It is best to talk to your doctor about which of the medications is suitable for you. The most important issue is whether you have any other medical conditions.
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High Blood Pressure Drug Treatment Plans
For most people, the first-choice medication for high blood pressure is a thiazide diuretic. For other people, a diuretic alone is not enough to control blood pressure. In these cases, a diuretic may be combined with a beta-blocker, ACE inhibitor, angiotensin II receptor blocker, or calcium channel blocker. Adding a second medication may lower your blood pressure more quickly than using a diuretic alone. Also, it allows you to take less of each medication, which may reduce side effects.
The Switch To Foods That Normalized Blood Pressure
I was lucky to escape having a stroke by the whiskers, and I wasnt willing to take that risk again. So, I went online to research foods that can help lower high blood pressure. I had medications to take, but since I dont really like taking pills or capsules, I was determined to see if there was a natural way to beat this ailment.
Fortunately for me, there was. I discovered the following foods do wonders for blood pressure, and I introduced them into my daily diet almost immediately:
- Bananas
- Berries
- Dark chocolate
- Watermelon
- Kiwis
This was how I lowered or managed blood pressure naturally, and I could ditch my medications. I also did my best to cut back drastically on sugar and fatty foods. You should do the same, or you could be risking a serious health condition.
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How Can I Lower My High Blood Pressure
Managing high blood pressure is critical for maintaining your health. Some people are more likely to develop high blood pressure than others, but there are steps you can take to help lower your risk. There are many things you can do to help manage high blood pressure, including lifestyle changes and medications.
Why Trust Verywell Health
Christina Oehler is the commerce editor for Verywell Health and has an RYT-200 Certification. She previously worked as an assistant editor for Health magazine. While testing blood pressure monitors at The Lab, she focused on the integrity of the test and created a methodology that helped thoroughly review the products through the eyes of a buyer. Christina conducted side-by-side comparisons of each blood pressure monitor and consulted a neurologist for the best techniques to get the most thorough insights to provide to buyers.
Additional reporting to this story by Danielle Zoellner
As a seasoned health writer, Danielle Zoellner knows the importance of finding just the right product to fit your medical needs. Throughout her career, Danielle has interviewed a variety of experts in the medical and health fields while reviewing dozens of products. Her experience and knowledge in the field work together to help readers like yourself find the best products for your daily life.
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How Is High Blood Pressure Diagnosed
It is not uncommon for your blood pressure to go high occasionally however, it is persistently high blood pressure that is a concern. For this reason, if a doctor or nurse takes your blood pressure and it is high but you dont have any risk factors or symptoms, then at least two other separate measurements should be taken before you are diagnosed with high blood pressure.
Before getting your blood pressure taken you should avoid the following for at least an hour before the measurement:
- Strenuous exercise
- Eating
- Stressful situations.
Sit down for at least five minutes before the reading is taken and dont talk while it is being measured.
Other tests may be ordered if your doctor concludes you have high blood pressure. These may include blood tests, an electrocardiogram, and sometimes a chest x-ray.
What Causes High Blood Pressure
The factors that cause hypertension can be divided into two different categories secondary and essential high blood pressure. While there are no definite causes of essential high blood pressure, there is always an underlying cause for secondary high blood pressure.
While no cause has been linked to essential high blood pressure yet, the following risk factors can contribute to developing the condition:
As you grow older, the risk of becoming a victim of hypertension increases.
Family History
You might experience high blood pressure if your family is known to have a history of hypertension. If family members close to you have hypertension, then your chances of developing it dramatically increase.
Obesity
As compared to people with an average weight, obese and overweight people have a higher chance of developing hypertension.
Smoking
Due to smoking, the blood vessels become narrow which eventually leads to higher blood pressure. Moreover, smoking reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood. As a result, to compensate for the loss of oxygen, the heart pumps blood much faster leading to an increase in blood pressure.
Intake of Alcohol
Research suggests that those that tend to drink on a regular basis are known to have higher blood pressure as compared to people that dont.
A greater amount of salt
Diets rich in fat
Stress
Numerous studies suggest that mental stress, particularly one that persists over a long term can severely impact the blood pressure.
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When Is Blood Pressure Highest
Blood pressure rises and falls in a fairly predictable pattern. When you wake up in the morning, it surges. It then increases throughout the day. At night, during sleep, it tends to drop again.
However, this isn’t always the case for people with high blood pressure. In fact, there are four distinct patterns of nighttime blood pressure shifts. They are:
- A normal drop in blood pressure of 10% to 20%
- Extreme dipping, which is a drop of more than 20%
- Nondipping, which is a drop of less than 10%
- Reverse dipping, in which blood pressure is higher during sleep than during waking hours
All three types of abnormal dips in blood pressure are associated with various health risks. They can affect the arteries and heart, kidneys, blood sugar levels, and more.
The only way to know how your blood pressure changes is to measure it regularly at different times across the day and night. One way to do this is with ambulatory blood pressure monitoring .
This technique involves wearing a blood pressure cuff like the one your healthcare provider uses in their office. You use it for a specified period of time, usually 24 or 48 hours. The cuff is linked to a small monitor that can be attached to a belt or an item of clothing. The device automatically takes your blood pressure every 15 or 30 minutes.
ABPM measures blood pressure during sleep as well as during waking hours. For this reason, it can be a useful way to find out what kind of dip, if any, someone tends to have at night.
Pressure Medications That Dont Cause Coughing
If ACE inhibitors or Angiotensin ll Receptor Blockers 9 can cause a cough, you may be wondering which blood pressure medications dont cause coughing?
The following blood pressure medications dont cause coughing as a side effect:
Diuretics:
- Verapamil
- Isradipine
- Prazosin Hydrochloride
- Terazosin Hydrochloride
As mentioned earlier, always consult with your physician about which medications are best for you and their side effects. All blood pressure medications come with some side effects 10.
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Stiffening Of The Arteries
Some physicians consider the most authentic form of pseudo-resistant hypertension to be caused by stiffened brachial arteries that prevent the blood pressure cuff from obtaining a true reading. If your doctor suspects this form of pseudo-resistant hypertension, they might consider other ways to measure your blood pressure.
Healthcare For 80% Less
There are several side effects associated with vasodilators. You may have to take other medications to counteract the effects of the blood pressure medicine. You may experience flushing, heart palpitations, and chest pain. Some doctors will recommend going on a special diet when taking vasodilators.
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Best Types Of Medications For High Blood Pressure In 2021
High blood pressure is when the force that your blood travels through your arteries is constantly high. Prescription medications are often used as a treatment for HBP when lifestyle changes arenât helping. There are many different classifications of medications, including beta-blockers, diuretics, and ACE inhibitors.
If you are struggling with the cost of your medications, Mira may be a great solution. For only $45/month, youâll have access to up to 80% off on over 1000 different prescription medications. Keep yourself healthy without stressing over the bill.
When Treatment Is Recommended
Everyone with high blood pressure is advised to make healthy lifestyle changes.
Whether medicine is also recommended depends on your blood pressure reading and your risk of developing problems such as heart attacks or strokes.
Your doctor will carry out some blood and urine tests, and ask questions about your health to determine your risk of other problems:
- if your blood pressure is consistently above 140/90mmHg , but your risk of other problems is low you’ll be advised to make some changes to your lifestyle
- if your blood pressure is consistently above 140/90mmHg and your risk of other problems is high you’ll be offered medicine to lower your blood pressure, in addition to lifestyle changes
- if your blood pressure is consistently above 160/100mmHg you’ll be offered medicine to lower your blood pressure, in addition to lifestyle changes
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Side Effects Of Blood Pressure Medications
Occasionally, side effects only happen when you first start taking a new medication or a higher dose. As your body gets used to the medicines the side effects improve or go away.
If you have side effects which dont go awaySometimes side effects dont go away and can affect your day to day life. If this happens, its important that you dont simply stop taking them because your blood pressure will go back up.
Instead, talk to your doctor because they will be able to try a lower dose of your medication, a different medication, or a different combination of medications. Often this will lower your blood pressure with no problems at all.
If you have tried different options and youre still experiencing side effects, your GP can refer you to a . They can often help you get the right balance between controlling your blood pressure and keeping the side effects to a minimum, and might be able to try different treatments.
What are the possible side effects?The side effects vary with . They also vary from person to person. For example, can cause a dry cough in some people, but dizziness or an upset stomach in others. The leaflet that comes with your medication will include a list of possible side effects.
A common side effect is feeling faint or dizzy when you go from sitting or lying down to standing up, especially at night. This is called postural hypotension, and can happen with any blood pressure medication.
Types Of Blood Pressure Medicines
There are four main types of medicine to lower blood pressure.
- . ACE inhibitors help to control hormones that play a role in blood pressure control. They help the blood vessels to relax and widen, lowering blood pressure. Most have names that end in pril, for example, enalapril, lisinopril, perindopril and Ramipril.
- . These work in a similar way to ACE inhibitors, controlling the hormones that affect blood pressure, so you probably wont take ACE inhibitors and ARBs at the same time. Theyre usually used if ACE inhibitors are causing side effects. Most have names that end in artan, for example, candesartan, irbesartan, losartan, valsartan and olmesartan.
- . These allow the artery walls to relax, making them wider. This allows more blood to pass through, lowering blood pressure. Most have names that end in pine , for example, amlodipine, felodipine and nifedipine.
- . These are sometimes known as water pills because they remove excess fluid from the body, including from the blood. This means there is less pressure on the blood vessel walls. Most have names that end in ide, for example, indapamide and bendroflumethiazide.
Sometimes these medications wont be suitable, for example if youre pregnant or breastfeeding, if you have certain other health problems, or youre taking other medications which could react with them.
Alternatively, you might need to take another type of medication as well to lower your blood pressure enough.
The other medications available include:
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