Out of several medical problems we face, High pressure is one of the most common problems faced by most of us. It does not spare anyone. In fact, this can happen to anyone of any age. With all the tensions and stress pouring in continuously as the world demands so, there is a high risk of having resistant high blood pressure if proper care is not taken since from the initial stages.
Pressure at work,
tensions in home, stress due to the work load is what we get from today's world. The world is at unrest. We are compelled to race and be in track with the fast changing world. Then, this is where things change. You get what you've never imagined of having them.
Out of several medical problems we face, High pressure is one of the most common problems faced by most of us. It does not spare anyone. In fact, this can happen to anyone of any age. With all the tensions and stress pouring in continuously as the world demands so, there is a high risk of having resistant high blood pressure if proper care is not taken since from the initial stages.
I had a friend who never thought that at his young age he will ever come across a stroke. But when he was rushed to the Hospital's emergency ward, the reading in the mercury showed 200 mm Hg. Just seeing the reading was enough to scare the wits out of this young engineer. Soon, he walked back home. The coming days were followed with strict health regime. Faithful enough to follow the doctor's advice, he regularly exercised and maintained a good diet while never missing his medicines. Gradually he eased his work load. Yet a few months later, detailed evaluation showed his BP still sticking somewhere around 170 mm Hg. His condition was nothing but a resistant high blood pressure.
All though the term blood pressure may be familiar, you may be wondering what exactly a blood pressure is. It is the amount of force that blood exerts on the walls of the vessels. Blood is propelled through the blood vessels with the force of the heartbeat. The contracting of the heart called systole, the BP rises as more blood is forced through the arteries. Each systole is followed by a relaxation of the heart called diastole during which the pressure drops as the heart rest and refills with blood for its next contraction again.
Pressure in the arteries rises and falls and for this reason the reading of blood pressure includes two values expressed in the form of fraction with the systolic pressure above the diastolic pressure.
A normal blood pressure is 140/90 mm Hg. This means that you have a systolic pressure of 140 mm Hg and a diastolic pressure of 90 mm Hg which is generally accepted as threshold for hypertension.
Resistant hypertension is a condition in which the blood pressure continues to stay above the clinical goal even after a treatment of several medicines.
Generally, resistant hypertension can be defined as blood pressure that always stays above the normal range of 140/90 mm Hg or below 130/80 mm Hg in patients with diabetics or kidney problems even after a regimen of three or more classes of medications that includes diuretic.
The most common factor associated with resistant hypertension is obesity. Obsessed people are more prone to hypertension and needs more medications while having less chance to achieve acceptable level.
Excessive intake of sodium not only increases the blood pressure but also restrains the effects of blood pressure lowering medicines. Too much intake of sodium causes the body to retain water which than increases the volume of blood in the arteries. It also lets the small arteries constrict and produce greater resistance to the blood flow. This affects the elderly and kidney patients more than others.
Heavy alcohol also increases the risk of hypertension and resistant hypertension. Certain drugs are also sometimes the main culprit. Over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin, paracetamol and ibrufen. Regular use especially in high doses increases very less but predictable amount of about 5 mm Hg in the blood pressure. Other medicines which can harm the blood pressure control are glucocorticoids such as prednisone which reacts in increased sodium and fluid retention. Decongestants, diet pills and oral contraceptive pills are also harmful to the blood pressure. Since contraceptive pills are high in estrogen and progesterone, women who are sensitive to blood pressure effects cause by estrogen can switch to mini-pill which contains progesterone alone or by using non-hormonal form of contraception.
Controlling or avoiding hypertension is far wiser than leaving a life of freedom and later trying to cure. This may sound very strict but will be much easier once carried out.
Weight loss - either through dieting or, in more extreme cases, bariatric surgery is highly essential. Cutting sodium intake is also very important. If you are addicted to alcohol then, consumption of alcohol should be decreased. Men with resistant hypertension should not consume more than 2 drinks per day and for women one drink per day is okay. Exercising for a minimum of 30 minutes continuously is beneficial for the changes in the blood pressure. Diet that is low in saturated fat and rich in whole grains, legumes, green vegetables, fruits, olive oil, fish and low-fat dairy products are beneficial.
