Digestive Diseases Discussion -
High Blood Pressure Discussion -
Kidney & Urologic Diseases Discussion

Sunday, March 27, 2005

Treatment of High Blood Pressure

pyramid of foodIt is important to take steps to keep your blood pressure under control. The treatment goal is blood pressure below 140/90 and lower for people with other conditions, such as diabetes and kidney disease. Adopting healthy lifestyle habits is an effective first step in both preventing and controlling high blood pressure. If lifestyle changes alone are not effective in keeping your pressure controlled, it may be necessary to add blood pressure medications. In this section you will learn about blood pressure-lowering lifestyle habits and blood pressure medications.



Lifestyle

These links go to the Prevention section of this site.


Blood Pressure Medications

source: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/hbp/treat/treat.htm

Saturday, March 26, 2005

Types of Blood Pressure Medications

Tips to Help You Remember to Take Your Blood Pressure Drugs

Tips to Help You Remember to Take Your Blood Pressure Drugs: Remember to refill your prescription.

Each time you pick up a refill, make a note on your calendar to order and pick up the next refill one week before the medicine is due to run out.

Tips to Help You Remember to Take Your Blood Pressure Drugs: Program a Reminder

If you have a personal computer, program a start-up reminder to take your high blood pressure drugs or sign up with one of the free services that will send you reminder email every day.

Tips to Help You Remember to Take Your Blood Pressure Drugs: Have a Relative Phone You

Ask one or more of your children or grandchildren to call you every day with a quick reminder. It's a great way to stay in touch and little ones love to help the grown-ups

Tips to Help You Remember to Take Your Blood Pressure Drugs: Use the Buddy System

Establish a buddy system with a friend who also is on daily medication and arrange to call each other every day with a reminder to "take your medicine."


Tips to Help You Remember to Take Your Blood Pressure Drugs: Use Voice Mail Reminder

If you use the telephone company's voice mail service, record a reminder for yourself and the service can automatically call you every day at the same time.


Tips to Help You Remember to Take Your Blood Pressure Drugs: Use Your Answering Machine

Ask a friend or relative to call your telephone answering machine to remind you to take your high blood pressure drugs and DO NOT erase the message.

Tips to Help You Remember to Take Your Blood Pressure Drugs: Do After You Brush Your Teeth

Take your high blood pressure drugs right after you brush your teeth and keep them with your toothbrush as a reminder.

Tips to Help You Remember to Take Your Blood Pressure Drugs: Use a Fridge Picture

Put a favorite picture of yourself or a loved one on the refrigerator with a note that says, "Remember to Take Your High Blood Pressure Medicine."

Tips to Help You Remember to Take Your Blood Pressure Drugs: Ask For Help

Ask for help. Family or friends can be a great support system. Put together a team. If you have friends who also take medication, help remind each other.

Tips to Help You Remember to Take Your Blood Pressure Drugs: Pillbox

Try using a special pillbox that helps keep your pills organized. You can buy these containers at most drugstores or pharmacies

Tips to Help You Remember to Take Your Blood Pressure Drugs: Use a Calandar

Try keeping a chart or calendar to write down when you take your drugs. Keep this calendar posted so you can quickly see if you’ve taken your drugs. Use colored pens to help you keep track of more than one type of medication.

Tips to Help You Remember to Take Your Blood Pressure Drugs: Write It Down

Write it down. Put a reminder note on the refrigerator, by the phone, on the medicine cabinet, or even on the bathroom mirror. Try changing the message frequently, using different colors to get your attention, or moving the notes to a different spot.

Tips to Help You Remember to Take Your Blood Pressure Drugs: Take Your Drugs at the Same Time Every Day

Take your drugs at the same time every day. Try to link it with something else that you do regularly, like brushing your teeth. If your doctor told you to take your pills with food, try taking them at the same time as you have your meal every day.

source: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/hbp/treat/tips.htm

Questions To Ask Your Doctor If You Have High Blood Pressure

Doctor

  • What is my blood pressure reading in numbers? (Ask your healthcare provider to write it down for you.)
  • What is my goal blood pressure?
  • Is my blood pressure under adequate control?
  • Is my systolic pressure too high (over 140)?
  • What would be a healthy weight for me?
  • Is there a diet to help me lose weight (if I need to) and lower my blood pressure?
  • Is there a recommended healthy eating plan I should follow to help lower my blood pressure (if I don't need to lose weight)?
  • Is it safe for me to start doing regular physical activity?
  • What is the name of my blood pressure medication?
  • Is that the brand name or the generic name?
  • What are the possible side effects of my medication? (Be sure the doctor knows about any allergies you have and any other medications you are taking, including over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and dietary supplements.)
  • What time of day should I take my blood pressure medicine?
  • Should I take it with food?
  • Are there any foods, beverages or dietary supplements I should avoid when taking this medicine?
  • What should I do if I forget to take my blood pressure medicine at the recommended time? Should I take it as soon as I remember or should I wait until the next dosage is due?
source: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/hbp/treat/question.htm

Friday, March 25, 2005

Types of Blood Pressure Medications: Diuretics

Diuretics are sometimes called "water pills" because they work in the kidney and flush excess water and sodium from the body.

Types of Blood Pressure Medications: Beta-blockers

Beta-blockers reduce nerve impulses to the heart and blood vessels. This makes the heart beat slower and with less force. Blood pressure drops and the heart works less hard.

Types of Blood Pressure Medications: ACE inhibitors

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors prevent the formation of a hormone called angiotensin II, which normally causes blood vessels to narrow. The ACE inhibitors cause the vessels to relax and blood pressure goes down.

Types of Blood Pressure Medications: Angiotensin antagonists

Angiotensin antagonists shield blood vessels from angiotensin II. As a result, the vessels become wider and blood pressure goes down.

Types of Blood Pressure Medications: Calcium channel blockers (CCBs)

CCBs keep calcium from entering the muscle cells of the heart and blood vessels. This causes the blood vessels to relax and pressure goes down.

Types of Blood Pressure Medications: Alpha-blockers

Alpha-blockers reduce nerve impulses to blood vessels, which allows blood to pass more easily, causing the blood pressure to go down.

Types of Blood Pressure Medications: Alpha-beta-blockers

Alpha-beta-blockers work the same way as alpha-blockers but also slow the heartbeat, as beta-blockers do. As a result, less blood is pumped through the vessels and the blood pressure goes down.

Types of Blood Pressure Medications: Nervous system inhibitors

Nervous system inhibitors relax blood vessels by controlling nerve impulses. This causes the blood vessels to become wider and the blood pressure to go down.

Types of Blood Pressure Medications: Vasodilators

Vasodilators directly open blood vessels by relaxing the muscle in the vessel walls, causing the blood pressure to go down.