The Facts on Hypertension

Hypertension is what we also know as high blood pressure, and it is a very serious condition often leading to heart attack and stroke. High blood pressure is considered a chronic condition in which the systemic arterial blood pressure is increased. In 2006, more than 56,000 people died from high blood pressure in America alone and more patients are being diagnosed every day. Roughly 74.5 million people are now victim to hypertension at the age of 20 or older. There are some symptoms to look for, and some natural ways to help reduce your blood pressure while working with a doctor to figure out what course of treatment is best for you.

Common Symptoms of Hypertension

There are many symptoms that can indicate when someone is suffering from hypertension, including headache, dizziness, blurred vision, redness of the face and chest pain. Headache along with chest pain are two of the most common symptoms that patients experience, and when this happens it is important to get to a doctor right away. My husband is the classic textbook case of hypertension and has experienced all of the symptoms above. His first trip to the doctor was positive and helpful with instructions to take his prescription as directed but to also make some changes in his diet. The first prescription medicine that he tried was Diovan. My husband took Diovan consistently for two years until he discovered that he was developing an annoying cough. The cough wasn't very loud and seemed more as a side effect of sinuses, but after awhile people seemed to notice it, thinking he was sick.

My husband spoke with his doctor about the Diovan and asked if he could try something different. While the doctor was okay with this he still was expecting more from him in terms of diet changes. My husband has been an avid soda drinker, and is hard-pressed to eat anything healthy. The biggest challenge was taking a list of things he liked and making it healthier or more flavorful. With that in mind, we just had to carve out the time and take the effort to make those changes so that he would finish his dinner, while enjoying every bite. Additionally, the doctor suggested taking Zantac in the evening and something like Prilosec or Omeperazole in the morning before breakfast to calm down any acid in the stomach. With the combination of switching to a different medicine, eating better and the anti-acids the cough went away within two weeks, and he seemed to be more calm with a much lighter color in his face.

When To Talk With A Doctor

It is always important that you speak with a doctor when things don't seem as they always are. Any physical changes are important to document so that an accurate diagnosis can be given. The diagnosis is just the beginning of it all, but what is more important is you being able to talk about it. Trying to hide any changes that you might be experiencing isn't healthy, and it is critical that you understand how precious life really is.

Talking about being healthier and doing it are two different things, so once you know what is going on and what to do to treat it, then you should follow through with it. Talking about high blood pressure and that you want to lose weight or be healthy will only go so far. Taking action could give you a much longer life, and much better quality of life while you are here on earth.

Emedicine Health

Web M.D.

2010

Clifford Scott Mowery M.D.

Health Alliance

Cincinnati, Ohio