Hypertension - Symptoms and Treatment

Hypertension - Symptoms and Treatment
Hypertension is a condition of increased blood pressure where the systolic blood pressure in a person's body is more than or equal to 140 mmHg and or diastolic blood pressure is more than or equal to 90 mmHg. Symptoms of hypertension can occur anytime and anywhere, and usually do not last long, but can appear suddenly.

Hypertension is a risk factor for kidney disease, stroke, paralysis, nerve palsy, and heart disease. Hypertension is called the "silent killer" because it often does not show any symptoms. The only way to know if you have hypertension is to see a doctor and monitor your blood pressure.

See a doctor if you experience any of these symptoms:
• Severe chest pain
• Heart palpitations
• Fatigue
• Sudden headache accompanied by vomiting
• Weakness on one side of the arm and/or leg, even if it is only momentary and will go away on its own
• Loss of vision on one side, even if it is only temporary

Here are some ways to lower your blood pressure:
• Weight: Maintain a healthy weight.
• Diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension)
• Exercise for Hypertension Patients
• Avoid saturated animal fats (butter, cheese, and certain processed meats), reduce total fat intake, and limit cholesterol to no more than 300 milligrams per day. Eat more vegetables and fruits at every meal (to increase fiber to 25-35 grams per day).

• Avoid salty foods to limit sodium intake to no more than 2,400 milligrams per day (one teaspoon of salt or one tablespoon of fish sauce/soy sauce). Your blood pressure will be better controlled if you can limit your sodium intake to 1,500 milligrams per day.
• Drink low-fat milk for calcium.
• Limit carbohydrates, such as bread and rice, and choose healthier options such as whole-wheat bread and brown rice.
• Choose dried beans as a source of magnesium.
• Warning signs during exercise that should prompt you to see a doctor and should not be ignored.
• Easily tired or weak.
• Pulse that is too fast or slow or an irregular pulse.
• Chest discomfort or chest pain.
• Exercise should be done under the supervision of a doctor to assess physical condition, anticipate potential complications, and include follow-up visits to learn about results and educate the patient about warning signs. If you are not at risk, your doctor will allow you to exercise at home and schedule a follow-up appointment to evaluate your results.
• Focus on aerobic exercise, such as jogging, walking, and swimming, to maintain your physical fitness.
• Exercise regularly 5-7 times a week, for 30-60 minutes each time. If you have not exercised for a long time, start slowly and gradually increase the duration when you resume exercise.