Chronic hypertension (or high blood pressure) is very common among middle-aged and older adults. This condition often sneaks up quietly, developing slowly over years. Most people don’t have warning signs or symptoms in the early stages but when blood pressure climbs very high someone may start to notice headaches, dizziness, or sometimes nosebleeds.
Most of the time, hypertension is identified during a routine physical. Thus, monitoring blood pressure is important, especially if someone is over forty or has a family history.
If ignored, hypertension can lead to heart attack or failure, kidney damage, stroke, and vision loss. High blood pressure affects daily life mainly through long-term risks, rather than immediate discomfort.
Blood pressure measure
Blood pressure measures how hard blood pushes against the walls of arteries to pump blood through the body. When this pressure stays high for a long time, it makes heart and blood vessels work overtime – similar to forcing water through a garden hose that’s squeezed too tight. Over time, that pressure can wear out the hose, and in the body, it can strain the heart, damage blood vessels, and hurt organs like the brain, eyes, and kidneys.
Treating hypertension
Treating hypertension starts with lowering risks and protecting heart, blood vessels, and organs via positive lifestyle changes. Many doctors recommend changing the diet to include more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy and less salty and processed foods. Such diets are called Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) and commonly referred to as Mediterranean diets.
Physical activity
Mild physical activity (e.g., brisk walks for thirty minutes most days) can also have a dramatic positive impact especially since over time, positive effect compound. Keeping a healthy weight, avoiding smoking, limiting alcohol, and practicing stress management also help lower blood pressure.
When lifestyle changes alone are not enough, doctors start prescribing medications. Common medicines include:
- Microzide (generic: hydrochlorothiazide) or chlorthalidone, known as “water pills,” – help your body get rid of extra salt and water. Getting rid of excess salt and water is key because too much salt (sodium) and fluid in the body can increase the amount of blood your heart has to pump. Salt act like a magnet for water pulling more water into your bloodstream increasing the volume of blood and fluids that your heart has to move (or pump) increasing the workload
- Norvasc (generic: amlodipine) and other calcium channel blockers (aka antagonist) – relax and widen your blood vessels for smoother flow. Calcium helps muscles of the body (including the heart, or cardiac, muscle) to squeeze. Blocking calcium lowers the strength of the contraction, making it easier for the heart to pump blood
- Zestril (generic: lisinopril) – is an ACE inhibitor, and Cozaar (losartan), an Angiotensin Receptor Blocker (ARB). Both work by helping your blood vessels relax and open up more easily. ACE, or Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme, among other things, helps regulate blood pressure by telling your body how hard to constrict your blood vessels. The looser the blood vessel, the easier it is to pump blood through them
- Toprol-XL (generic: metoprolol) or Coreg (generic: carvedilol) – are beta-blockers that slow the heart and lower its workload, sometimes used especially in people with a history of heart problems or arrhythmias (aka irregular heartbeat). Beta receptors (also called beta-adrenergic receptor or beta-adrenoceptor) help regulate heart rate, blood pressure, and airway relaxation
Doctors may also recommend cholesterol-lowering drugs, like Lipitor (atorvastatin), since high blood pressure and high cholesterol often run together. Some people may need aspirin to help protect their heart.
Good results
Getting good results from treatment means sticking to the medication schedule and not skipping doses, even when you feel fine. It is like maintaining a car; just because the engine sounds good doesn’t mean it can go without oil changes. Home blood pressure monitors are a smart tool, letting the person and their care team keep an eye on things.
Lifestyle changes
Lifestyle changes are lifelong partners in managing hypertension. Cooking more meals at home, reducing salt, staying active and social, and finding healthy outlets for stress (e.g., gardening, joining a walking group, unwinding with music) help especially if incorporated into a daily regimen.
Chronic hypertension
Remember, chronic hypertension is serious, but you can manage it and keep enjoying the things you love. RxVitaPharm is here to provide specialty pharmacy support, including expert guidance on medications, insurance navigation, and convenient home delivery, so you can focus on living your best life with peace of mind.