What is the Best Treatment for Hypertension?

Effective Hypertension Treatments You Should Know

In 2023, the WHO reported that around 1.28 billion worldwide in the age range of 30 - 79 years had hypertension. Hypertension or high blood pressure can cause major health complications like stroke, heart attack, and kidney disease. However, a combination of proper blood pressure medication and lifestyle changes can help manage the health complications of hypertension.

If you are looking for treatment options for hypertension, this guide will help you explore the details regarding risk factors, treatment and preventive tips.    

What are the Risk Factors of Hypertension?

Unhealthy lifestyle habits, including poor eating patterns, excessive alcohol and beverage consumption, and lack of physical activity, can cause high blood pressure. Further risk factors include:

• Having a family history of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure or diabetes
• Being overweight or obese
• Taking excessive stress
• Not getting proper quality sleep
• Having medical conditions such as kidney disease, thyroid, sleep apnea, tumours and metabolic syndrome
• Using substances like methamphetamine, cocaine or bath salts
• Taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, hormonal birth control pills, antidepressants, etc.

Can hypertension cause frequent urination?

Yes, frequent urination can be a symptom of hypertension. Patients often complain about their sudden and frequent urges to urinate and involuntary urinary leakage while rushing to the toilet. This is a common condition known as an overactive bladder, which can occur due to high blood pressure and excessive salt intake. Around 40% of people with hypertension have a high risk of frequent urination at night.

Moreover, blood pressure medications, such as calcium channel blockers and diuretics, can exacerbate frequent urination. Sometimes, hypertension can lead to kidney damage, which can worsen kidney function and affect urination patterns.

How to Treat Hypertension?

The global target is to reduce the incidence of hypertension by 33% by the end of 2030. So, it is crucial to monitor blood pressure regularly and focus on the medication to lower hypertension and control the risk of heart disease.

Also, below are some treatment options that you can consider:

• Diuretics : Thiazide is a diuretic medication used to treat high blood pressure. Medicines, including chlorthalidone and hydrochlorothiazide, remove excess salt and water from the body and reduce fluid in the blood.   
• Angiotensin-converting enzyme Inhibitors (ACE) : ACE inhibitors restrict the release of the angiotensin II hormone, which helps the body naturally control blood pressure levels. Moreover, inhibitors, including lisinopril and enalapril, decrease vascular resistance and prevent kidney failure.  
• Calcium Channel Blockers : Calcium channel blockers, such as felodipine and amlodipine, can block calcium from entering the muscle cells of the blood vessels and heart. They encourage relaxation and enhance blood circulation, which helps lower blood pressure.  
• Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs) : Telmisartan and losartan are ARB, which prevent the angiotensin II hormone from binding to receptors. This action can keep blood vessels from narrowing.

How to Manage Hypertension without Medication?  

Medications alone may not be able to control high blood pressure levels. So, healthcare providers may prefer heart-healthy lifestyle changes. Changing lifestyle suddenly is not easy, but it could be a lifetime practice to lower hypertension and prevent complications.

1. Choosing Heart-Healthy Food Habits : Follow a combination of DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet, which includes a healthy eating plan of green vegetables, fruits, low-fat dairy and whole grains.  It also combines a low-salt (sodium) eating plan for lowering blood pressure levels.
2. Limit Alcohol Consumption : Avoid drinking excessive alcohol and beverages. A moderate drinking habit may not increase blood pressure levels. For example, only 1 drink can be regularly consumed by women and 2 drinks per day by men.
3. Regular Physical Activity : Doctors recommend losing weight and regular physical exercise to help lower high blood pressure. Maintaining 150 minutes of weekly moderate-intensity aerobic activity, such as walking, swimming, dancing, cycling, and hiking, can help reduce blood pressure levels.   
4. Stress Managing : Utilising relaxation techniques, talking to a counsellor, and setting a fixed time for enjoyable activities like drawing and practising yoga poses can lower blood pressure. Effectively managing stress can contribute to the improvement of physical and mental health.  
5. Good Quality Sleep : Develop a healthy habit of 7 to 9 hours of sleep regularly. A calming bedtime schedule can manage blood pressure levels.  

What are the Serious Health Problems of Uncontrolled Hypertension?

Uncontrolled or untreated hypertension can lead to serious health issues, mainly related to the heart. Excessive blood pressure may cause hardened arteries that decrease blood and oxygen flow to the heart. It reduced blood flow and elevated pressure, increasing the risk of:

• Chest Pain
• Heart attack
• Heart failure  
• Stroke
• Coronary artery disease
• Peripheral artery disease

In addition, uncontrolled hypertension can cause major complications, such as:

• Kidney diseases  
• Kidney failure
• Vascular dementia
• Eye damage

Managing hypertension requires a balanced approach to effective medication and healthy lifestyle changes. Early diagnosis, regular monitoring, and proactive treatment can significantly reduce risks, promoting long-term cardiovascular, kidney, and overall health outcomes.