Best Time Of Day To Take Blood Pressure Medications
Labels on prescription drugs often tell you to take a tablet “once a day” without specifying the best time of day to take themand in some cases timing doesn’t matter. With blood pressure medications, however, it can matter when you take them. The best time of day to take blood pressure drugs varies depending on which ones you take , as well on your reason for taking them and any other health issues you may have.
Can High Blood Pressure Make You Have Chills And Make You Cold
Though chills and heightened sensitivity to cold are not typical symptoms of hypertension, high blood pressure has many effects on the body, and it can even be completely asymptomatic. According to WebMD, hypertension and chills are both associated with 19 conditions, so they are sometimes found in the same patient.
WebMD gives a list of conditions that can cause both high blood pressure and either chills or increased sensitivity to the external temperature. They range from endocrine disorders affecting the thyroid and pituitary glands to adverse drug interactions. The general nature of these three symptoms makes them likely to be found together across a range of conditions.
One reason hypertension can sometimes be found co-occurring with chills and cold sensitivity is that some medications intended to control a patientâs blood pressure can induce chills and sensitivity to the temperature as side effects. According to About.com, ACE inhibitors are a class of hypertension drugs that work by gradually dilating small blood vessels called arterioles. This action is accomplished by blocking the functioning of a certain protein in the body that causes blood vessels to contract. The drugs in this group sometimes cause fever and chills, as well as headache, dry cough and an upset stomach.
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How To Self Monitor
Home blood pressure monitoring is different than taking it at your doctor’s office because youll be comparing one relatively steady measurement to another over time. When scheduling checks, there are some factors to keep in mind so that you get more accurate results. Follow these tips if you are testing at home:
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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 drug pressure lowering medications are:
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors block the production 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 , 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 , 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, chlorothiazide.
What Causes High Blood Pressure
Food, medicine, lifestyle, age, and genetics can cause high blood pressure. Your doctor can help you find out what might be causing yours. Common factors that can lead to high blood pressure include:
- A diet high in salt, fat, and/or cholesterol.
- Chronic conditions such as kidney and hormone problems, diabetes, and high cholesterol.
- Family history, especially if your parents or other close relatives have high blood pressure.
- Lack of physical activity.
- Tobacco use or drinking too much alcohol.
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Some Other Minerals And Vitamins For High Blood Pressure
They are the last but very important out of the best minerals and vitamins for high blood pressure that I would like to reveal and want all of my readers to take their supplements if they are trying to normalize blood pressure.
- Zinc: It regulates endothelin and angiotensin, which affect the blood pressure. Lacking this mineral can make blood vessels constrict.
- Copper: It keeps blood vessel dilation, low level of copper can cause hypertension.
- Calcium: The optimal calcium level reduces blood vessel vasoconstriction. It is helpful to those who are sensitive to salt as it can raise sodium excretion.
- Oleic acid: It is anti-inflammatory and useful to blood pressure.
- Cysteine: It reduces high blood pressure thanks to its role.
- Lipoic acid: It enhances vascular tone.
- Folate: It enhances endothelial function, which helps lower high blood pressure. Besides, it also helps the blood vessels properly dilate.
- Carnitine: It lowers high blood pressure by reducing substances causing constricted arteries.
- Vitamin C: It helps blood vessels relax and increases nitric oxide that aids blood vessels to dilate.
- Vitamin A: It supports to keep blood vessels wide and clear.
- Gluathione: It prevents oxidative stress, which can lead to hypertension.
In medicine, in order to help you deal with high blood pressure, your doctor often advise you to lose weight, cut down on your consumption of salt, take prescription drugs and follow a proper diet program. Eat more nuts, fruits and vegetables.
Preparing To Check Your Blood Pressure
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How Long Is Medication Needed For
In most cases, medication is needed for life. However, in some people whose blood pressure has been well controlled for three years or more, medication may be able to be stopped. In particular, this may be possible for people who have made significant changes to lifestyle . Your doctor can advise you.
If you stop medication, you should have regular blood pressure checks. In some cases the blood pressure remains normal. However, in others it starts to rise again. If this happens, medication can then be started again.
What Men Should Know About High Blood Pressure And Viagra
High blood pressure is a known cause of erectile dysfunction and 80 are considered high). Erection problems are also a common side effect of many drugs, including those used to treat high blood pressure. So, high blood pressure itself, as well as the medicines used to treat it, can cause erectile dysfunction.
The first choice for treating erectile dysfunction is usually a class of drugs with an active ingredient called PDE5 inhibitors. These medications block the enzyme that prevents relaxation of smooth muscles in the penis. By allowing the smooth muscles to relax, sildenafil and other PDE5 inhibitors make it physically possible for a man to achieve an erection in the presence of sexual arousal. However, there are several side effects of Viagra, many of which affect the cardiovascular system. Does Viagra lower blood pressure? And is it dangerous to use Viagra with high blood pressure treatments?
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Do I Have High Blood Pressure
One reason to visit your doctor regularly is to have your blood pressure checked. Routine checks of your blood pressure will help pick up an early rise in blood pressure, even though you might feel fine. If theres an indication that your blood pressure is high at two or more checkups, the doctor may ask you to check your blood pressure at home at different times of the day. If the pressure stays high, even when you are relaxed, the doctor may suggest exercise, changes in your diet, and, most likely, medications.
How Do I Know If I Have High Blood Pressure
Theres only one way to know if you have high blood pressure: Have a doctor or other health professional measure it. Measuring your blood pressure is quick and painless.
Talk with your health care team about regularly measuring your blood pressure at home, also called self-measured blood pressure monitoring.
High blood pressure is called the silent killer because it usually has no warning signs or symptoms, and many people do not know they have it.
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How Is High Blood Pressure Treated
If high blood pressure is due to a condition like kidney disease or lung disease, treating it might be enough to get the blood pressure back to normal.
Doctors also might recommend lifestyle changes. If you have hypertension, your doctor might want you to:
Eat a healthy diet:
- Eat more fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy.
- Limit salt.
- Avoid alcohol.
Get regular exercise:
- Try to exercise for 3060 minutes at least 3 times a week. But teens with severe hypertension should not do any weightlifting or power-lifting, bodybuilding, or strength training until their blood pressure is under control and a doctor says it’s OK.
Not smoke. Or if you do smoke, quit:
- People with high blood pressure should not smoke, and their home and car should be smoke-free.
If diet and exercise changes do not improve the blood pressure, doctors may prescribe medicine.
Consider Cutting Back On Caffeine
Caffeine raises your blood pressure, but the effect is temporary. It lasts 45 to 60 minutes and the reaction varies from individual to individual .
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 .
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What Is The Correct Way To Measure Blood Pressure
Learn the correct way to have your blood pressure taken, whether youre getting it checked at the doctors office or checking it yourself at home. Use this checklist:
- Dont eat or drink anything 30 minutes before you take your blood pressure.
- Empty your bladder before your reading.
- Sit in a comfortable chair with your back supported for at least 5 minutes before your reading.
- Put both feet flat on the ground and keep your legs uncrossed.
- Rest your arm with the cuff on a table at chest height.
- Make sure the blood pressure cuff is snug but not too tight. The cuff should be against your bare skin, not over clothing.
- Do not talk while your blood pressure is being measured.
If you are keeping track of your blood pressure at home, use these additional tips.
What Are The Symptoms
One of the sneaky things about high blood pressure is that you can have it for a long time without symptoms. That’s why it is important for you have your blood pressure checked at least once a year.
If you do have symptoms, they may be:
- headaches
Although it happens rarely, the first symptom may be a stroke.
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Weight Loss Drugs Can Also Raise Blood Pressure
Some weight loss drugs may make heart disease worse. Appetite suppressants tend to ârevâ up the body, increasing both the heart rate and the blood pressure. When the blood pressure rises, it can put more stress on your heart.
Before using any weight loss drug, whether prescription or over-the-counter, be sure to check with your doctor. These medications may do you more harm than good.
Cut Added Sugar And Refined Carbs
Theres a growing body of research showing a link between added sugar and high blood pressure 00649-8/fulltext” rel=”nofollow”> 30, 31).
In the Framingham Womens Health Study, women who drank even one soda per day had higher levels than those who drank less than one soda per day .
Another study found that having one less sugar-sweetened beverage per day was linked to lower blood pressure .
And its not just sugar all refined carbs, such as the kind found in white flour convert rapidly to sugar in your bloodstream and may cause problems.
Some studies have shown that low carb diets may also help reduce blood pressure.
One study on people undergoing statin therapy found that those who went on a 6-week, carb-restricted diet saw a greater improvement in blood pressure and other heart disease markers than people who did not restrict carbs .
Bottom line: Refined carbs, especially sugar, may raise blood pressure. Some studies have shown that low carb diets may help reduce your levels.
Berries are full of more than just juicy flavor.
Theyre also packed with polyphenols, natural plant compounds that are good for your heart.
Polyphenols can reduce the risk of stroke, heart conditions, and diabetes, as well as improving blood pressure, insulin resistance, and systemic inflammation .
One study assigned people with high blood pressure to a low-polyphenol diet or a high-polyphenol diet containing berries, chocolate, fruits, and vegetables .
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Cut Back On Sugar And Refined Carbohydrates
Many scientific studies show that restricting sugar and refined carbohydrates can help you lose weight and lower your blood pressure.
A 2010 study compared a low-carb diet to a low-fat diet. The low-fat diet included a diet drug. Both diets produced weight loss, but the low-carb diet was much more effective in lowering blood pressure.
The low-carb diet lowered blood pressure by 4.5 mm Hg diastolic and 5.9 mm Hg systolic. The diet of low-fat plus the diet drug lowered blood pressure by only 0.4 mm Hg diastolic and 1.5 mm Hg systolic .
A 2012 analysis of low-carb diets and heart disease risk found that these diets lowered blood pressure by an average of 3.10 mm Hg diastolic and 4.81 mm Hg systolic .
Another side effect of a low-carb, low-sugar diet is that you feel fuller longer, because youre consuming more protein and fat.
Benefits Of Aerobic Exercise
One of the best types of exercise for your heart regardless of your sex, age, or weight is aerobic exercise. Aerobic activity affects your heart, lungs, and blood flow in the following ways:
- You breathe faster and more deeply, maximizing the amount of oxygen in your blood.
- Your heart beats faster, increasing blood flow to your muscles and back to your lungs.
- Your capillaries widen to deliver more oxygen to your muscles.
How does this help your heart? For one thing, it strengthens your heart and causes adaptations in your muscles. When your heart is stronger and your muscles are more fit, your heart doesnt need to beat as fast at rest. It also pumps blood more efficiently, improving blood flow throughout your entire body.
Aerobic exercise can also help you lose and maintain weight, as well as reduce your blood pressure. It can help keep your arteries clear by reducing levels of bad cholesterol , or low-density lipoprotein, in your blood. It also helps elevate levels of good cholesterol, or high-density lipoprotein. This can lead to less plaque buildup in your arteries.
In total, the effect of regular moderate exercise on your overall cardiovascular risk can be dramatic.
AHA encourages men to get at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise per week. You can break this activity into five 30-minute sessions. Or you can exercise more frequently in shorter sessions of 10 to 15 minutes.
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What Diet Helps Control High Blood Pressure
- Eat foods that are lower in fat, salt and calories, such as skim or 1% milk, fresh vegetables and fruits, and whole grain rice, and pasta.
- Use flavorings, spices and herbs to make foods tasty without using salt. The optimal recommendation for salt in your diet is to have less than 1500 milligrams of sodium a day. Don’t forget that most restaurant foods and many processed and frozen foods contain high levels of salt. Use herbs and spices that do not contain salt in recipes to flavor your food do not add salt at the table.
- Avoid or cut down on butter and margarine, regular salad dressings, fatty meats, whole milk dairy products, fried foods, processed foods or fast foods, and salted snacks.
- Ask your provider if you should increase potassium in your diet Discuss the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet with your provider. The DASH diet emphasizes adding fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to your diet while reducing the amount of sodium. Since it is rich in fruits and vegetables, which are naturally lower in sodium than many other foods, the DASH diet makes it easier to eat less salt and sodium.