Treatment of hypertension

Living a healthy lifestyle and taking antihypertensive medication can be an effective step in overcoming hypertension.

 The value of blood pressure and the risk that the patient has complications, such as heart attacks and strokes, will determine the treatment to be performed. In general, there are 2 principles of hypertension treatment, namely:

• Lifestyle changes. Changing your lifestyle to be healthier can reduce blood pressure in a matter of weeks. A healthy lifestyle includes:

• Adopt the DASH diet (Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension), which consumes more fruits, vegetables, low-fat milk, whole grains and nuts, compared to red meat and high-fat foods. saturated fat and high cholesterol.
• Reduce salt intake to less than one teaspoon per day.
• Increase physical activity and regular exercise.
• Lose weight
• Quit smoking.
• Avoid or reduce the consumption of alcoholic drinks.
• Reduce consumption of caffeine-rich drinks, such as coffee, tea, or cola.
• Perform relaxation therapy, for example yoga or meditation to control stress.

The above method can be done with or without the use of antihypertension. However, early adoption of a healthy lifestyle can prevent patients from taking antihypertensive medication.

• Medication use. In some cases, people with hypertension must take medication for life. However, doctors can reduce the dose or stop treatment if the patient's blood pressure is controlled by changing their lifestyle. It is important that the patient takes the drug at the prescribed dose and warns the doctor if there are any side effects. Some medications used to treat hypertension include: Relaxation therapy, for example yoga or meditation to control stress.

• Diuretic. This medicine works to eliminate excess salt and fluid in the body through urine. Hydrochlorothiazide is a type of diuretic drug.

• Calcium antagonist. Calcium antagonists lower blood pressure by dilating blood vessels. Examples of these drugs are amlodipine and nifedipine.

• Beta-blockers. Function to reduce blood pressure by dilating blood vessels and slowing the heart rate. Atenolol and bisoprolol are examples of beta blockers.

• ACE inhibitors. ACE inhibitors lower blood pressure by making blood vessel walls more relaxed. Examples of these drugs are captopril and ramipril.

• Angiotensin-2 receptor antagonist (ARB). The function of this drug is almost identical to ACE inhibitors, which relax the walls of blood vessels, so that the two drugs should not be given simultaneously. Losartan and valsartan are examples of this drug.

• Renin inhibitors. This drug inhibits the action of renin, an enzyme produced by the kidneys that helps increase blood pressure. Aliskiren is an example of renin inhibitors.

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