Fatal Complications High blood pressure, to quit medication?
Dec 15, 2024
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Professor Byun Jae-ho of cardiovascular medicine at the Catholic University of Korea's Incheon St. Mary's Hospital said, `Blood pressure is an important signal from our bodies. However, it is rare for people to feel uncomfortable immediately just because their blood pressure is a little high. "He explained that hypertension is a disease that progresses quietly like this and causes fatal complications and suddenly shakes our lives."
Hypertension is diagnosed when the adult standard systolic blood pressure is 140 mmHg or higher, or when the diastolic blood pressure is 90 mmHg or higher.
Most hypertension occurs due to essential hypertension, that is, aging, lifestyle, and genetic factors without any specific cause. This should be managed with medication along with lifestyle improvements. In some patients, secondary hypertension may occur due to distinct causes, such as renal vascular disease or hormonal secretion abnormalities. In this case, it is necessary not only to take blood pressure drugs, but also to treat the causative disease.
The first step in managing hypertension is to improve a steady lifestyle. The most important thing is regular aerobic exercise. Practicing exercises that speed up your pulse, such as fast walking and cycling, more than five times a week, for more than 30 minutes a day, will help stabilize your blood pressure.
Improving your eating habits is also essential. Reducing sodium intake is fundamental. The amount of soup dishes should be reduced and the use of high-salt condiments such as salt, soy sauce and red pepper paste should be restricted. Instead, it is important to eat healthy foods such as vegetables, fruits, fish, and whole grains evenly. The habit of avoiding overeating and eating bland food is the basis for preventing and managing high blood pressure.
Smoking and drinking are also enemies of blood pressure management. Smoking damages blood vessels and accelerates the progression of hypertension. Even if it's hard to quit smoking, you should keep trying. Drinking should be moderately controlled, and excessive drinking can raise blood pressure sharply. In addition, relieving mental tension through stress management is also an important management method. Finding psychological stability through meditation or hobbies has a positive effect on blood pressure control.
Professor Byun Jae-ho said, "In order to prevent and manage high blood pressure, we must first maintain proper weight and waist circumference"Overweight or obesity not only negatively affects high blood pressure, but also increases the likelihood of diabetes and cardiovascular disease," he said.
If blood pressure is not controlled only by lifestyle improvement, medication may be necessary.
Hypertension medications are effective in lowering blood pressure, but do not apply equally to all patients. If there are side effects or insufficient effects while taking drugs, consult a specialist.
Also, starting medication doesn't mean you have to take it for the rest of your life. If you can maintain normal blood pressure with constant effort, it is also possible to stop taking medication.
Regular blood pressure measurements are the starting point for managing hypertension. In order to properly measure blood pressure, you should rest for at least one to two minutes and avoid smoking, drinking, caffeine intake, and exercising. It is important to accurately determine your blood pressure status by measuring twice in the morning and evening, for about a week.
Professor Byun Jae-ho said, `High blood pressure can be overcome with proper lifestyle and constant management. However, if it is difficult to maintain normal blood pressure only with non-drug therapy, it is recommended to take blood pressure medicine "High blood pressure is a disease that can no longer be neglected. Early detection and appropriate management should enable them to lead a healthy life," he said.
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