Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Do You Suffer from High Blood Pressure or Hypertension?

Do You Suffer from High Blood Pressure or Hypertension?

Many people with high blood pressure or Hypertension want to know what kind of treatments are available to them. Many people don't know how to get their pressure down to more manageable levels once they're told they have high blood pressure. The fact is, the best pressure treatment is prevention. That is, not getting it in the first place is the best thing you can do for your body. That means getting some exercise, eating right and relieving stress in your life. Drugs can also help, as your doctor will help you. However, the best treatment is to prevent your levels from getting too high in the first place.

Lifestyle Changes Can Help

If you do have high blood pressure or Hypertension, there are some things you can do, some lifestyle changes that can be great treatments. For instance, get some exercise whenever you can. That means walking more instead of driving, playing with your kids, walking your dog, whatever. Get at least twenty to thirty minutes of moderate exercise two to three times per week. This will make your heart stronger and may actually work to decrease your blood pressure.

Improving your diet can also be a great treatment. Stay away from too many saturated fats and eat more fruits, vegetables and fibre. This should be a guideline for anyone, really, but it's also the best treatment.

Friday, October 23, 2009

Blood Pressure medication & Side effects

Blood Pressure medication & Side effects

The medicines given to a patient of High Blood Pressure are not given over the counter. Prior to the start of the medication, the doctor and a patient hold a discussion. The actual count of the blood pressure, both systolic and diastolic is recorded to ascertain the type of Medication. The doctor also ascertains that the medicine prescribed is free from side effects for the patient’s stage of Hypertension. Despite these steps, the patient has to be prepared for other side effects that might occur in some cases.

The most common type of High Blood Pressure Medicines such as the Diuretic Drugs can cause skin rashes in some patients. Another Medication Side Effect is the passing of more urine, as the Hypertension Drugs are given to rid the body of excess salts. The Beta Blockers that are given to patients, who are in Stage II of the Blood Pressure Scale, are administered drugs like Timolol and Solalol. This High Blood Pressure Medication has side effects that can slow down the heart and open the blood vessels. These cause tiredness, sleeping problems and even cooling of hands and feet.

The CCB Drugs like Lacidipine and Felodipine have other side effects. Patients taking these High Blood Pressure Medications complain of swollen ankles, bleeding gums, the passing of urine at night and even constipation. For patients who have other complications along with their blood pressure problem, the medicines are given in combination with drugs related to their specific problems. These patients are usually on Alpha Blockers like Trandolapril and Perindopril.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

High blood pressure information

High blood pressure information

Blood pressure is the force of the blood pushing against the walls of the arteries. Blood pressure is the result of two forces: from the heart as it pumps blood into the arteries and throughout the circulatory system, and the force of the arteries as they resist blood flow. Blood pressure is measured by putting a blood pressure cuff around your arm, inflating the cuff and listening for the flow of blood. Blood pressure is always given as these two numbers, the systolic and diastolic pressures. Blood pressure is traditionally measured with a device called a sphygmomanometer. Blood pressure is measured in millimetres of mercury (mm Hg). Blood pressure is generally felt to be abnormally high at a level of 140/90, and some sort of definitive therapy and follow-up should be started at this level. High blood pressure is called the silent killer because it usually has no symptoms.

Blood is carried from the heart to all parts of your body in vessels called arteries. Blood does not flow regularly like water from a tap:-When the heart contracts (systole), the blood is propelled into the main arteries that act as a pressurised reservoir.

Pressure in a hose can be regulated either by controlling the rate at which fluid passes through it or by widening it. Pressure inside your arteries can cause the muscles that line the walls of the arteries to thicken. Your blood pressure is at its highest when the heart beats, pumping the blood. When the heart is at rest, between beats, your blood pressure falls. Still, for most of your waking hours, your blood pressure stays pretty much the same when you are sitting or standing still.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

side effects of atenolol

Atenolol is a medicine often recommended to treat heart related conditions like high blood pressure. It is a beta blocker that affects the heart and improves blood circulation. Its brand name is Tenormin and it is available as a tablet in the market. Atenolol is also prescribed for the treatment of hypertension (high blood pressure), chest pain (angina), anxiety and migraines. This drug is also useful in treating abnormal rapid heart rhythms and other coronary heart diseases and heart attacks, as it stimulates the heart to beat faster.

Recent studies have suggested some common side effects of atenolol associated with patients who recently experienced a heart attack and for people who have high blood pressure. They are as follows

Low blood pressure.
Heart rate slows down.
Tiredness.
Cold hands and feet.
Shortness of breath.
Some side effects of atenolol that do not cause any potentially serious problem are as follows:
Leg pain.
Lethargy.
Dry mouth and eyes.
Headache.
Increased dreaming (nightmares).