How is hypertension addressed?
Regarding the type and severity of hypertension you have, a number of factors can help your physician determine the optimal treatment option for you. Secondary hypertension, which develops as a result of other health conditions, may necessitate dual treatment, i.e., for both the hypertension and the underlying condition that is causing your blood pressure to rise. Depending on the form of hypertension you have, the following treatment options may be available to you:
Options for Primary Hypertension Treatment
If you have been diagnosed with primary hypertension, your doctor may recommend dietary restrictions and changes to your lifestyle in order to lower your blood pressure. The mainstay of treatment for primary hypertension is reducing risk factors such as a diet high in sodium and fat, smoking and alcohol cessation, stress reduction techniques, and weight loss through exercise. If lifestyle modifications alone are ineffective, blood pressure-lowering medications will be administered.
Options for the Treatment of Secondary Hypertension
As secondary hypertension is caused by another underlying health condition, its treatment entails more than simply reducing risk factors and treating high blood pressure. It is also necessary to manage the underlying condition causing hypertension. For instance, if you are taking a medication that causes high blood pressure as a side effect, your physician will likely advise you to discontinue use as soon as feasible.
Dietary restrictions and lifestyle changes also play a significant role in the treatment of secondary hypertension. Because what was effective in the early phases of a disease may lose efficacy over time, treatment plans frequently undergo gradual changes.
Treatments for Hypertension
If lifestyle changes are ineffective, your doctor will recommend starting hypertension medication first. The majority of people go through a phase of trial and error, i.e., you may need to try various drugs or combinations of medications until you find one that is both safe and effective for you. The following are prevalent blood pressure-lowering medications used to treat hypertension:
These medications inhibit the effects of B-blockers on the heart and slow the pulse rate. Atenolol (Tenormin), Acebutolol (Sectral), Metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol-XL), and Bisoprolol (Zebeta) are common B-blockers.
Diuretics – There are many different diuretics available. Depending on the disease’s type and severity, your physician may recommend one of these. Chlorthalidone (Hygroton), Hydrochlorothiazide or HCTZ (Esidrix, Hydrodiuril, Microzide), and Chlorothiazide (Diuril) are common diuretics used to treat hypertension.
ACE inhibitors – These pharmaceuticals inhibit the ACE enzyme and lower blood pressure. Included in this category are Benazepril (Lotensin), Enalapril (Vasotec), and Lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril).
Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) – As their name suggests, they inhibit angiotensin receptors on blood vessels, resulting in vesodialation and a reduction in blood pressure. Common Angiotensin blockers include azilsartan (Edarbi), candesartan (Candesartan), irbesartan (Avapro), and eprosartan (Atacand).
Calcium channel antagonists – Block calcium channels to decrease cardiac contractility. Amlodipine (Norvasc) and Diltiazem (Cardizem, Tiazac, among others) are common calcium channel blockers.
Surgical Treatment Options for Hypertension
No surgical options are required to treat hypertension; however, if chronic hypertension causes certain life-threatening health complications, you may require surgical intervention to treat these conditions. When lifestyle changes and medications fail to treat hypertension, surgical treatment options become available.
The most frequent hypertension-related complication requiring surgical intervention is a heart attack. Depending on the affected area of the heart and the severity of the heart attack, your physician may recommend angioplasty, stent placement, or open heart surgery to treat the condition.
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