Thiazide diuretics are often the first, but not the only, choice in high blood pressure medications. Thiazide diuretics include chlorthalidone, hydrochlorothiazide Microzide and others. If you're not taking a diuretic and your blood pressure remains high, talk to your doctor about adding one or replacing a drug you currently take with a diuretic. Diuretics or calcium channel blockers may work better for people of African heritage and older people than do angiotensin-converting enzyme ACE inhibitors alone. A common side effect of diuretics is increased urination.
These medications — including amlodipine Norvasc , diltiazem Cardizem, Tiazac, others and others — help relax the muscles of your blood vessels. Some slow your heart rate. Calcium channel blockers may work better for older people and people of African heritage than do ACE inhibitors alone. Grapefruit juice interacts with some calcium channel blockers, increasing blood levels of the medication and putting you at higher risk of side effects.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you're concerned about interactions.
If you're having trouble reaching your blood pressure goal with combinations of the above medications, your doctor may prescribe:. These medications reduce the workload on your heart and open your blood vessels, causing your heart to beat slower and with less force. Beta blockers include acebutolol Sectral , atenolol Tenormin and others.
Beta blockers aren't usually recommended as the only medication you're prescribed, but they may be effective when combined with other blood pressure medications. Aliskiren Tekturna slows down the production of renin, an enzyme produced by your kidneys that starts a chain of chemical steps that increases blood pressure. Aliskiren works by reducing the ability of renin to begin this process.
To reduce the number of daily medication doses you need, your doctor may prescribe a combination of low-dose medications rather than larger doses of one single drug. In fact, two or more blood pressure drugs often are more effective than one. Sometimes finding the most effective medication or combination of drugs is a matter of trial and error.
If your blood pressure remains stubbornly high despite taking at least three different types of high blood pressure drugs, one of which usually should be a diuretic, you may have resistant hypertension. People who have controlled high blood pressure but are taking four different types of medications at the same time to achieve that control also are considered to have resistant hypertension.
The possibility of a secondary cause of the high blood pressure generally should be reconsidered. Having resistant hypertension doesn't mean your blood pressure will never get lower. In fact, if you and your doctor can identify what's behind your persistently high blood pressure, there's a good chance you can meet your goal with the help of treatment that's more effective.
Some experimental therapies such as catheter-based radiofrequency ablation of renal sympathetic nerves renal denervation and electrical stimulation of carotid sinus baroreceptors are being studied. If you don't take your high blood pressure medications exactly as directed, your blood pressure can pay the price.
Everything You Need to Know About High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
If you skip doses because you can't afford the medications, because you have side effects or because you simply forget to take your medications, talk to your doctor about solutions. Don't change your treatment without your doctor's guidance. Explore Mayo Clinic studies testing new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this disease. Lifestyle changes can help you control and prevent high blood pressure, even if you're taking blood pressure medication. Here's what you can do:. Decrease the salt in your diet.
What is hypertension?
Aim to limit sodium to less than 2, milligrams mg a day or less. However, a lower sodium intake — 1, mg a day or less — is ideal for most adults. While you can reduce the amount of salt you eat by putting down the saltshaker, you generally should also pay attention to the amount of salt that's in the processed foods you eat, such as canned soups or frozen dinners. Regular physical activity can help lower your blood pressure, manage stress, reduce your risk of several health problems and keep your weight under control. Aim for at least minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes a week of vigorous aerobic activity, or a combination of moderate and vigorous activity.
For example, try brisk walking for about 30 minutes most days of the week.
Or try interval training, in which you alternate short bursts of intense activity with short recovery periods of lighter activity. Aim to do muscle-strengthening exercises at least two days a week.
High blood pressure (hypertension) - NHS
Monitor your blood pressure at home. Home blood pressure monitoring can help you keep closer tabs on your blood pressure, show if medication is working, and even alert you and your doctor to potential complications. Even if you get normal readings, don't stop or change your medications or alter your diet without talking to your doctor first. If your blood pressure is under control, check with your doctor about how often you need to check it.
Although diet and exercise are the most appropriate tactics to lower your blood pressure, some supplements also may help lower it. However, more research is needed to determine the potential benefits. Some research is studying whether vitamin D can reduce blood pressure, but more research is needed. While it's best to include these supplements in your diet as foods, you can also take supplement pills or capsules. Talk to your doctor before adding any of these supplements to your blood pressure treatment.
Some supplements can interact with medications, causing harmful side effects, such as an increased bleeding risk that could be fatal. You can also practice relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or meditation, to help you relax and reduce your stress level. These practices may temporarily reduce your blood pressure. High blood pressure isn't a problem that you can treat and then ignore. It's a condition you need to manage for the rest of your life. To keep your blood pressure under control:. Sticking to lifestyle changes can be difficult, especially if you don't see or feel any symptoms of high blood pressure.
If you need motivation, remember the risks associated with uncontrolled high blood pressure. It may help to enlist the support of your family and friends as well. If you think you may have high blood pressure, make an appointment with your family doctor to have your blood pressure checked. No special preparations are necessary to have your blood pressure checked. You might want to wear a short-sleeved shirt to your appointment so that the blood pressure cuff can fit around your arm properly.
Avoid eating, drinking caffeinated beverages and smoking right before your test. Plan to use the toilet before having your blood pressure measured. Because some medications, such as over-the-counter cold medicines, pain medications, antidepressants, birth control pills and others, can raise your blood pressure, it might be a good idea to bring a list of medications and supplements you take to your doctor's appointment. Don't stop taking any prescription medications that you think may affect your blood pressure without your doctor's advice.
Because appointments can be brief, and because there's often a lot to discuss, it's a good idea to be prepared for your appointment. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and what to expect from your doctor. Your time with your doctor is limited, so preparing a list of questions will help you make the most of your time together.
List your questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. For high blood pressure, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:. In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask questions during your appointment at any time that you don't understand something. Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may reserve time to go over any points you want to spend more time on. Your doctor may ask:. It's never too early to make healthy lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, eating healthy foods and becoming more physically active.
These are primary lines of defense against high blood pressure and its complications, including heart attack and stroke.
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- The Choice.
Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Blood pressure measurement To measure your blood pressure, a specialist places an inflatable cuff around your arm and measures your blood pressure using a pressure-measuring gauge.
Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. References High blood pressure. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Accessed March 9, What is high blood pressure? When you should call for high blood pressure. Screening and home monitoring. Preventive Services Task Force. Accessed March 27, Thomas G, et al. Blood pressure measurement in the diagnosis and treatment of hypertension in adults. Blood pressure monitoring kiosks aren't for everyone. Food and Drug Administration. Basile J, et al. Overview of hypertension in adults.
Hypertension
Know your risk factors for high blood pressure. Accessed March 12, Limiting alcohol to manage high blood pressure. High blood pressure and African Americans. Douglas PS, et al. Definition and pathogenesis of left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertension. Understanding blood pressure readings. In fact, the panic of not knowing what to buy accounts for 16 per cent of Christmas-related stresses, it said. Getting ahead of the game can save you both time and effort, and will prevent and rapid rises in blood pressure.
If you have left your shopping until the final week, avoid heading onto the high-street during peak hours, as the large crowds of people could be triggering blood pressure spikes. Between buying presents for loved ones and friends, and paying for your Christmas dinner and treats, your December finances may be leading to a rise in blood pressure, said the charity.
To avoid hypertension symptoms , look around for the best deals before instinctively spending your money, it said. But, a lack of exercise could be raising your chances of high blood pressure. All adults should aim for minutes of moderate-intensity activity every week, said Blood Pressure UK. Many of the ingredients of a Christmas dinner - bacon, sausages, gravy and stuffing - are already salty Blood Pressure UK. Christmas dinner When choosing your Christmas dinner this year, aim to eat more fruit and vegetables to control your blood pressure, said the charity.
Diet and lifestyle swaps to prevent hypertension symptoms at Christmas Image: Christmas shopping Leaving your shopping until the last minute can cause blood pressure to rise, warned Blood Pressure UK. Christmas costs Between buying presents for loved ones and friends, and paying for your Christmas dinner and treats, your December finances may be leading to a rise in blood pressure, said the charity.