Lose weight if you are above a healthy weight. Quit smoking if you smoke. Eat a healthy diet rich in low-fat dairy, fruits, and vegetables, and low in saturated fat. Limit sodium (salt) intake to no more than 2,300 milligrams a day.
eat a low-fat, balanced diet – including plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables; get tips on eating more healthily. be active – read some tips about getting more exercise. cut down on alcohol – get tips on cutting down, including downloading a drinks diary and keeping track of your drinking.
There are three main classes of medication that are usually in the first line of treatment for hypertension: 1. Calcium Channel Blockers (CCB) 2. Angiotensin Converting Enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors or ACE-I) and Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs) 3. Diuretics.
The dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH) diet originated in the 1990s. It is a sodium-restricted diet (<2400 mg/day) rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, and lean proteins. DASH emphasizes the consumption of fresh and minimally processed foods.
High blood pressure can often be prevented or reduced by eating healthily, maintaining a healthy weight, taking regular exercise, drinking alcohol in moderation and not smoking.
Nursing care for hypertension aims to lower and control blood pressure effectively, safely, and economically. The nurse plays a vital role in supporting and educating patients about lifestyle modifications, medication adherence, and regular follow-up to monitor progress and address any potential complications.
In a hypertensive emergency, the first goal is to bring down the blood pressure as quickly as possible with intravenous (IV) blood pressure medications to prevent further organ damage. Whatever organ damage has occurred is treated with therapies specific to the organ that is damaged.
Sit quietly in a comfortable position and close your eyes. Relax your muscles, progressing from your feet to your calves, thighs, abdomen, and so on, up to your neck and face. Breathe slowly through your nose, silently saying your focus word, phrase, or prayer to yourself as you exhale.
There is no cure for high blood pressure. But treatment can lower blood pressure that is too high. If it is mild, high blood pressure may sometimes be brought under control by making changes to a healthier lifestyle.
Still, you can make lifestyle changes to bring your blood pressure down. Something as simple as keeping yourself hydrated by drinking six to eight glasses of water every day improves blood pressure. Water makes up 73% of the human heart,¹ so no other liquid is better at controlling blood pressure.
Behavioral interventions for hypertension include dietary modification, physical activity, relaxation, and stress coping. Dietary modification can reduce the volume of blood and mass of tissue that the heart has to pump blood through.
Bananas. These are rich in potassium, a nutrient shown to help lower blood pressure, says Laffin. One medium banana provides about 375 milligrams of potassium, about 11 percent of the recommended daily intake for a man, and 16 percent for a woman.
Caffeine may cause a short, but dramatic increase in your blood pressure, even if you don't have high blood pressure. It's unclear what causes this spike in blood pressure. The blood pressure response to caffeine differs from person to person.
Anxiety doesn't cause long-term high blood pressure (hypertension). But episodes of anxiety can cause dramatic, temporary spikes in blood pressure.
Berries: Strawberries and blueberries are rich in antioxidant compounds called anthocyanins. Research has linked anthocyanins to a reduction in blood pressure in people with hypertension. In more good news, berries are delicious!
Insomnia is linked to high blood pressure and heart disease. Over time, poor sleep can also lead to unhealthy habits that can hurt your heart, including higher stress levels, less motivation to be physically active, and unhealthy food choices.
The European Society of Cardiology²¹ recommends that people lay down and take naps during midday to help lower their pressure levels. Additionally, the American College of Cardiology claims that the average systolic blood pressure drops by about 3 mm Hg²² for each hour one lays down for a nap.
The main diuretic for high blood pressure treatment is thiazide. Diuretics are often used with other high blood pressure medicines, sometimes in one combined pill. Beta blockers help your heart beat slower and with less force. As a result, your heart pumps less blood through your blood vessels.