By: Myrna Liz Rodríguez
High blood pressure (hypertension) is a common condition in which the force of blood against the walls of the arteries over time is so high that it can lead to health problems. The more blood the heart pumps and the narrower your arteries are, the higher your blood pressure will be. Blood pressure readings are measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). A blood pressure reading consists of two numbers.
Higher number (systolic pressure)
The first, or systolic, reading measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats.
Lower number (diastolic pressure)
The second, or lower, number measures the pressure in the arteries between heartbeats.
The best treatment for high blood pressure is prevention, and to achieve this, it is essential to follow a heart-healthy lifestyle. Below are several tips recommended by the Spanish Heart Foundation:
No smoking
Smoking raises blood pressure and heart rate.
Avoid excessive alcohol consumption
Excessive alcohol consumption causes high blood pressure, as well as other conditions that are harmful to the heart and other organs.
Manage your weight
Being overweight is a cause of high blood pressure. Losing weight lowers blood pressure and reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
Exercise
Regular physical exercise helps lower blood pressure. It also increases muscle mass and endurance, helps with weight management, and reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Incorporate a heart-healthy diet
People with high blood pressure should reduce their intake of salt and foods that contain it. They should also eat fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, bread, and other grains. Finally, they should use olive oil as their primary source of fat and increase their intake of poultry and fish instead of red meat.
Drug therapy
If you have high blood pressure , you shouldn't just rely on the recommendations above, as you may need to take medication.
Patients undergoing antihypertensive treatment should keep the following tips in mind:
- Even if your blood pressure has returned to normal, you should never stop taking your medication.
- Follow the treatment plan strictly and try to take your pills at the same time every day.
- See your doctor if the treatment isn't working, as it's sometimes necessary to combine several medications to control your blood pressure.
- Also check your diet to see if any foods (such as salt) are interfering with the blood pressure-lowering effect of the medication.
- Treatment should always be combined with a heart-healthy lifestyle.
- Keep an eye on your other risk factors, because otherwise your good blood pressure readings won't do you much good.
The content on this page is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not replace or substitute for a consultation with a doctor or other healthcare professional.
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