Hypertension Clinic
Hypertension is commonly known as high blood pressure. Hypertension requires a high level of lifestyle and diet changes, along with constant medication to keep the pressure levels under control. Any form of stress or anxiety can easily raise the pressure levels in such patients, and can pose serious threats to life. Blood pressure is the pressure of blood on the walls of blood vessels. Measured in mmHg (millimetre of mercury), it gives two readings – the higher one represents pressure on the arteries when the heart contracts, and the lower reading is for when the heart is relaxed. Ideal blood pressure is measured as 120/80 mmHg. When a reading is above 135/85 mmHg, it is considered high blood pressure and if the level reaches 180/120, it is called hypertension. If left untreated, hypertension can lead to stroke, heart failure, vascular diseases, aneurysms, and more.
Causes
- A family history of high blood pressure
- Obesity
- Kidney disease
- Obstructive sleep apnoea
- Thyroid disease
- Birth defects in blood vessels
- Chronic medical conditions
Treatments
- Lifestyle modifications
- Improved diet plan
- Active lifestyle
- Medications
- Diuretics, to help kidneys eliminate sodium and water to decrease blood volume and reduce blood pressure.
- Angiotensin-converting enzymes, to help relax blood vessels by blocking the formation of natural chemicals that narrow blood vessels.
- Beta-blocker medications to widen blood vessels that reduce pressure on the heart.
- Aldosterone antagonists medications that reduce salt and fluid buildup.
- Renin-inhibitors, which slows down the production of renin and enzymes that increases blood pressure.
- Vasodilators that prevent the muscles on the walls of arteries from tightening.
- Central acting agents to prevent the brain from signaling the nervous system to increase heart rate and blood vessel constriction.
