Treating Hypertension

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Treating Hypertension By Dr. Shadrach Smith, Truman Medical Center Like many African-American men, I learned that my blood pressure was high on a routine physical examination. It caught me by surprise because I felt completely normal. Most people with high blood pressure require life-long treatment to return their blood pressure to normal and prevent complications. The most effective treatment strategies include lifestyle changes such as: Limit sodium (salt) – decrease table salt and limit processed foods Lose weight — decrease body weight by 5-10 percent Increase physical activity – exercise 30 minutes a day for 5 days each week Stop smoking Get enough sleep – at least six to eight hours each night Decrease mental stress — meditation and yoga are effective at stress reduction Limit or stop alcohol intake Prescription medications are very effective at lowering blood pressure when taken as prescribed. Most people with hypertension require more than one medication to keep their blood pressure within the normal range. Medications do not cure hypertension; therefore once they are stopped, the blood pressure usually returns to pre-treatment levels. If you feel you are having side effects of any medication, be sure to inform your health care provider. There are many options to treat hypertension. Therefore, your doctor may switch medications or change the dosage until you find a combination that works best for you with the least amount of side effects.