You need to aim to keep your blood pressure less than 140/90, and even lower if you have other chronic conditions like kidney disease, obesity and diabetes. For many people making simple lifestyle adjustments can make a major difference. Weight loss automatically reduces your blood pressure, especially if your BMI is higher than 30. You also need to ensure you steer clear of system stimulants and processed food. Processed foods usually have a high sodium content, and salt is notorious for pushing blood pressure readings up. Eating unprocessed foods and cutting back on your table salt can make a notable difference to blood pressure before you try medication.
Managing your stress levels, quitting smoking and cutting out alcohol can also have a positive effect on your blood pressure reading. If you are not successful at lowering your blood pressure by making lifestyle changes, or if your reading is too high, your doctor will recommend medication.
Beta-blockers slow down your heart rate and make it beat with less force. When your blood pressure levels drop the heart does not need to work as hard and is put under less pressure. ACE inhibitors stop your body from producing angiotensin II, which causes your blood vessels to constrict. By relaxing the walls of the blood vessels, your blood pressure drops lower. Some people have better results with calcium channel blockers which prevent the blood vessels and heart from absorbing calcium, which can also cause blood pressure levels to drop. Vasodilators perform a similar effect, by opening blood vessels to drop blood pressure.
For most people, lifestyle changes combined with medication can make a life-saving difference. If you make modifications to your diet, reduce your salt intake and take your medication as prescribed by your doctor, your chances of living longer with hypertension will increase.
Because hypertension needs proper maintenance to keep you in good health, using low cost medical care in Las Vegas can make it as cost-effective as possible and ensure that your budget does not influence how healthy you can be.