Variables Involved in Treating High Blood Pressure

Hypertension aka high blood pressure is often called the quiet killer and many people are not aware they even have it until they get sick with a stroke or heart attack. While hypertension may be silent, treating high blood pressure does not have to be and there are actually quite a few avenues to pursue to get this condition under control.

Understanding Your Blood Pressure Reading

To begin with, you should understand the different blood pressure measurements and how they may fall within hypertension range before treating high blood pressure. With a normal standard of 120/80 mm HG, anything above that reading is technically considered hypertension. It is also important to note that hypertension has three different stages – pre-hypertension, stage one hypertension and stage two hypertension. And depending on where you fall within those stages may decide how treating high blood pressure may occur.

Blood pressure measurements of 120/80 mm HG to 139/89 mm HG are considered the pre-hypertension stage while the first stage of full-blown hypertension is 140/90 mm HG to 159/99 mm HG. The second stage of hypertension is a blood pressure measurement of 160/100 mm HG or above and you can consider this stage serious business.

Your Treatment Options

When your readings fall within the pre-hypertension stage, consider yourself lucky because you probably will not have to endure treating high blood pressure daily through prescribed medications. Instead, your doctor likely will tell you to give up smoking and to drink only in moderation in addition to adopting a healthier way of eating and cutting down on your sodium intake.

The first stage of hypertension may involve one treating high blood pressure through the use of medications in addition to the requisite lifestyle changes. The most popular drug treatment for high blood pressure is the diuretic, also known as the "water pill." This medication helps your body rid itself of excess sodium and fluids which often constrict your blood vessels, causing your heart to pump harder, thus raising your blood pressure.

With the second stage of hypertension, your doctor treating high blood pressure will go straight to probably at least two different medications in addition to requisite lifestyle changes. One medication will likely be the diuretic and the other could be any number of available drugs from beta blockers to statins. Treating high blood pressure, each one serves and targets hypertension in a variety of ways.

Treating high blood pressure with medications requires following the dosage amounts exactly as well as taking them at the same time of day. Your doctor will likely explain the importance of being diligent with your medications and taking note of any reactions that do not seem normal. No one treatment option is infallible, so be sure to take precautions and contact your doctor immediately should you feel something is wrong.