Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is known as the “silent killer” because you may have high blood pressure but not even know it. It can creep up without any symptoms or warning signs. Many people find out they have hypertension only after their doctor checks their blood pressure. They are the lucky ones. Others learn only after they have suffered a heart attack.
Early Detection is Key
It’s a vicious cycle: diabetics tend to have hypertension more so than those who do not have diabetes. High blood pressure can lead to heart disease, which is the number one cause of death in diabetics. That’s why it’s so important for those with diabetes to visit the doctor regularly and monitor their blood pressure.
Normal blood pressure is 120/80. A reading between this number and 140/90 is an early sign of hypertension. Anything over 140/90 is considered high blood pressure. The sooner you are diagnosed with pre-hypertension or hypertension, the better. If your doctor detects high blood pressure before it leads to complications, he can start you on a program to lower your blood pressure back to a healthy range.
Lowering Your Blood Pressure
Your doctor might first want you to try lowering your blood pressure without medication. This means implementing lifestyle changes such as losing weight if you are overweight or obese, exercising daily, and quitting smoking. One common culprit of hypertension is salt. Eating foods high in sodium on a daily basis has a major negative impact on your blood pressure. By simply lowering the amount of salt in your diet, you can significantly decrease your blood pressure.
If modifying your eating habits doesn’t decrease your blood pressure or have an effect in a timely enough manner, your doctor may prescribe one or a combination of oral medications to lower and manage your blood pressure.
Types of Blood Pressure Medications
ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) Inhibitors:Angiotensin is a type of protein that causes arteries throughout the body to become narrow. ACE inhibitors decrease the body’s production of angiotensin, which relaxes the blood vessels and increases the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart muscle. The increased flow of blood and oxygen to the heartlowers blood pressure.
Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs):Instead of lowering levels of angiotensin, ARBs prevent angiotensin from having any effects on the heart and blood vessels and relax arteries in the same way as ACE inhibitors. ARBs are most often prescribed for people who experience side effects with ACE inhibitors.
Beta Blockers: These drugshelp your heart relax by slowing the heart rate and decreasing the workload on the heart. They do this by blocking beta-adrenergic receptors in the body, which prevents adrenaline (epinephrine) from stimulating these receptors. Besides being used to treat high blood pressure, beta blockers are also commonly prescribed for those who have had a heart attack.
Calcium Channel Blockers: These drugs prevent calcium from entering the muscle cells in the heart and blood vessels. Calcium causes the heart to work harder, so calcium channel blockers relax the arteries and allow more blood to flow through to the heart, which lowers blood pressure.
Diuretics:These drugs help the body eliminate excess water and salt through urination. Excess fluid in the body increases the workload on the heart, so decreasing fluid helps relieve pressure on blood vessels and lowers blood pressure. Diuretics are often used in combination with other blood pressure medications.
Work with your doctor to lower and control your blood pressure. Follow her recommendations regarding lifestyle changes, and be sure to take any medications as prescribed. Hypertension is a serious condition that requires attention on a daily basis to avoid complications and help you live a longer, healthier life.
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