Lifestyle changes are often used first in the treatment of high blood pressure. This eMedTV resource describes these changes (such as losing weight and reducing salt intake), as well as drugs that have found to be helpful in lowering blood pressure.
This section of the eMedTV library identifies the different types of blood pressure medicine and explains how they help treat hypertension, including ACE inhibitors, diuretics, calcium channel blockers, vasodilators, and beta blockers.
This eMedTV page explains the link between exercise and high blood pressure reduction. For example, studies show that 30 minutes of exercise 3 days a week is enough exercise to bring about a drop in blood pressure.
The DASH high blood pressure diet, as this eMedTV resource explains, has been proven to lower a person's risk for hypertension. If your blood pressure is already high, this diet has been proven to lower it as well.
The DASH eating plan, as this eMedTV article explains, is low in saturated fat and high in fiber, protein, and magnesium, and has been proven to lower blood pressure. This article discusses the plan in detail and provides a sample to get you started.
This section of the eMedTV library discusses the link between weight and high blood pressure in detail. For example, lose just 10 percent of your current weight, and high blood pressure can be lowered -- or prevented, if you don't have hypertension.
Reduce the sodium, and high blood pressure will likely go down. This eMedTV page explores the link between high blood pressure and salt. It also includes tips to reduce the amount of salt and sodium consumed.
This segment of the eMedTV archives explores the connection between high blood pressure and alcohol. While moderate amounts are usually fine, too much alcohol can make hypertension worse or decrease the effectiveness of medications.
This eMedTV Web page explores the benefits of supplements for high blood pressure, like potassium. Research shows that potassium lowers blood pressure, but other commonly tried supplements are not proven to reduce hypertension.
As this eMedTV Web page explains, smoking may not be a direct cause of hypertension, but it increases your risk of heart disease. This article offers more detailed information on high blood pressure and smoking, and provides tips for quitting.
Studies on high blood pressure and stress, as this eMedTV Web page explains, show that long-term stress may affect blood pressure; however, the effects of short-term stress are limited. This requires a rethinking of popular myths about stress.
