Lower high blood pressure

introduction

High blood pressure is one of the most common diseases worldwide and, alongside obesity, smoking and the existence of diabetes mellitus, are among the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease and Strokes Because it is initially asymptomatic, high blood pressure is an insidious and dangerous disease that mainly affects the elderly. Most important measure to avoid high blood pressure in the long term and especially without it Medication would have to be reduced change of lifestyle. A healthy diet, exercise, weight loss and abstaining from nicotine and alcohol would be of the utmost importance. If these conservative measures are not sufficient, you can use Medication trying to lower high blood pressure.

Definition of high blood pressure

Of a normal blood pressure one speaks at systolic values from 120mmHg and diastolic values from 80mmHg. As "still-normal“Blood pressure values ​​apply up to 139mmHg systolic and 89mmHg diastolic (139 / 89mmHG). From blood pressure values ​​of 140 / 90mmHg one speaks of one high blood pressure, which can be divided into 3 degrees of severity. From Values ​​of 230 / 120mmHg one speaks of a high blood pressure crisis or also Hypertensive crisis called. These are associated with a very high risk of acute cerebral haemorrhage, strokes, heart attacks and kidney damage.

Causes of high blood pressure

There are many different causes of high blood pressure. Doctors differentiate between primary high blood pressure, which is not based on a causal disease, and secondary high blood pressure. Typical causes for one primary hypertension would include Smoke, Obesity, high alcohol and salt consumption, a high age, diabetes, as well as a family history of high blood pressure. In less than 10% of all cases, high blood pressure is based on a disease, it is, so to speak, secondary. Typical illnesses for one secondary hypertension would include a Pheochromocytoma, a Hyperaldosteronism (Conn's disease called), one Hyperthyroidism or one Kidney disease.

Symptoms of high blood pressure

High blood pressure remains in most cases asymptomatic and only makes itself from Values ​​of > 230 / 120mmHg noticeable. Typical symptoms for this would be dizziness, tinnitus, a headache, Epistaxis and Racing heart.

Therapy with the help of drugs

High blood pressure can be treated conservatively or with drugs. From blood pressure values ​​of 160mmHg, high blood pressure must be treated and reduced. Whether medication is used for this or a lifestyle change first depends on the level of blood pressure and existing risk factors.

A drug becomes a 3-step scheme pursued, in which a monotherapy (individual therapy) is started and which can be increased up to a triple combination. Most doctors try high blood pressure first with the help of ACE inhibitors (e.g. Ramipril), Diuretics (e.g. Thiazides) or one Beta blockers (e.g. Metoprolol) to lower. Because of their kidney and heart protective effects, ACE inhibitors should always be the therapy of first choice. ACE inhibitors are particularly suitable for diabetics. Diuretics are particularly suitable for patients who also suffer from heart failure or pulmonary edema.

If a single drug is insufficient to adequately lower blood pressure, it will Level 2 of the Hypertension therapy elected. This represents a Combination of 2 drugs different classes of active ingredients For example, a diuretic should be combined with either an ACE inhibitor, a sartan, a beta blocker, or a calcium channel blocker. Another option would be to combine a calcium channel blocker with a beta blocker or an ACE inhibitor. Since every patient reacts better or worse to a certain drug, there are many different possible combinations that should be exhausted before a combination of three or four drugs.

If, in the end, a two-way combination of antihypertensive drugs is still not enough, one can Triple combination therapy be considered. Here is a Diuretic with 2 other drugs (e.g. an ACE inhibitor + a Calcium channel blocker) combined. The triple combination should, however, always represent the therapy of the last choice and only take place after the double combination therapy has been exhausted.

Various antihypertensive drugs

Generally speaking, there are 5 different groups of antihypertensive drugs. These include ACE inhibitors, diuretics, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers and sartans, which are very similar to ACE inhibitors in terms of their mode of action and side effects. Depending on which comorbidities are present in the patient, the doctor decides on the most suitable drug.

ACE inhibitors and sartans are very suitable for example for patients with diabetes, with a preceding Heart attack or at one Heart failure. They are forbidden, i.e. contraindicated, in patients with advanced kidney damage and bilateral renal artery stenosis. Taking ACE inhibitors would lead to a reduction in blood flow to the kidneys, which would ultimately be fatal.

Diuretics, and especially Thiazides, are good for patients with cardiac insufficiency, but should not be used in patients with gout or hypokalaemia (insufficient potassium).

Beta blockers can do particularly well for heart failure and some cardiac arrhythmias be used; but should be avoided as a matter of urgency in patients with diabetes or Raynaud's syndrome.

Calcium channel blockers however, are very suitable for patients with Raynaud's syndrome or a stable one Angina pectoris and should not be given in the case of heart failure or slow heart rhythm disorders.

As Reserve drugsthat can lower blood pressure quickly and in an emergency Clonidine, Reserpine, urapidil, Nitrates and Dihydralazine to disposal. It is important for patients to know that antihypertensive drugs must be taken for life and must not be discontinued without a doctor's agreement. When the blood pressure normalizes, this is not a sign that the medication is becoming redundant, but only that the therapy is working. After stopping the medication, blood pressure would rise again after a few weeks and, depending on the medication, further complications would occur.

Lower blood pressure through diet

Before drug therapy, attempts should always be made to lower high blood pressure by changing lifestyle. A Weight loss and a healthy eating would be the first way. Studies have shown that weight loss is the most effective measure to lower high blood pressure. For every kilogram of weight lost, blood pressure can be lowered by 5-22mmHg. At the same time, weight loss also affects other risk factors such as diabetes or a Hypercholesterolemia positive. When it comes to nutrition, one should in principle less consumption of table salt (maximum 6g / day), Fats and alcohol be respected. For this purpose, products such as ready meals, canned food, smoked fish or savory biscuits should be avoided and instead use fresh, non-preserved foods, fruit, vegetables, nuts, Cereal products and Dairy products be set. It would be advisable on low-sodium mineral water to pay attention and the Alcohol consumption to a maximum of 20g (about 2 glasses of red wine). For dressings and seasonings, spices or garlic could be used instead of salt.

Lower high blood pressure with tea

Another way to lower blood pressure without medication is to take various drugs regularly Health teas. Especially Green tea, how GABA- or Sencha tea, and other Asian teas (e.g. Soba, Dattan and Eucommia) can be shown to lower blood pressure with regular consumption.

• Green tea

The most important effects of green tea are decreased production of angiotensin, a hormone that increases blood pressure, a improved elasticity of blood vessels, an improved blood flow, an improvement in metabolism and the Reduction of deposits in the vessels. Since green tea has been shown to increase the effect of antihypertensive drugs and this could lead to a dangerous drop in blood pressure, the consumption of green tea in parallel with antihypertensive drugs should always be discussed with a doctor.

• Dattan tea

Dattan tea is the Japanese name for Tatar buckwheat tea and works particularly well due to its vessel sealing effect against edema and arteriosclerosis.

• Tochucha tea

Eucommia or Tochucha tea is considered a special medicinal tea in Asia and is characterized by its antihypertensive, liver and kidney strengtheners as well as his immune system-promoting effect out. To reduce blood pressure, the four teas should be drunk regularly over a period of 2 to 3 months and distributed throughout the day. It is important to drink enough water to rinse out released toxins and waste products. If side effects such as dizziness or nausea occur, it is advisable to reduce the triggering tea to such an extent that side effects no longer occur. After 2 to 3 months there should be a significant decrease in blood pressure. Then you should switch to lighter versions of Sencha tea. People who suffer from severe heart or kidney disease should consume Eucommia tea with caution and only in small doses.

Lower high blood pressure through exercise

In addition to a healthy diet, hypertension is also essential regular exercise of great importance. Scientific studies have shown that exercise can not only prevent the development of high blood pressure, but also reduce it again. Through a balanced and regular training (3 to 5 units / week for 30 minutes) blood pressure can be lowered by 5 to 10mmHg.

Sports that are good for the cardiovascular system, such as Nordic walking, jogging, cycling, swimming, hiking or even tennis. Strength training should only be done in moderate doses, otherwise it can lead to dangerous overloading of the heart and ultimately cardiac insufficiency. For people who have hardly done any sport for many years, short training units with moderate stress are recommended at the beginning. Instead of jogging, for example, walking quickly can be enough to start with.

In order to find the right intensity of the load, the load should be noticeable on the one hand, and on the other got to but also on the pulse is respectedthat must not rise too high. A sports doctor can determine the ideal training pulse for you. In order to avoid possible damage to health, people over 45 years of age who have not played any sport for a long time should do something before any sporting activity health check be carried out at the doctor's. If, for example, high or fluctuating blood pressure values ​​are found, this should first be adjusted and stabilized with medication. With the help of an ergometer, the individual load limit in watts can be determined and conclusions can be drawn about the resilience of the heart.If, for example, there are circulatory disorders of the heart, it could lead to a heart attack during intense sporting activities.

Lower high blood pressure with plants

In addition to drugs, there are also a variety of herbal remedies that can be used in the treatment of high blood pressure. These range from Ginseng and mistletoe cures over Garlic preparations up to Black seed oils and often have similarly good effects as non-homeopathic medicines.

The other day, studies have shown that above all Complex homeopathics (e.g. from mistletoe and Rauwolfia) have the same high blood pressure lowering effect as beta blockers. Rauwolfia, or snake root, is mainly used for high blood pressure and is often found in the Ayurvedic Therapy to find. mistletoe or Viscum album called has been known in naturopathy for thousands of years and can also lower blood pressure very well due to its vasodilating effects. However, the same applies here: the start of therapy with homeopathic remedies should always be discussed with a doctor.

Lower blood pressure without tablets

In order to reduce high blood pressure without tablets, a balanced, healthy and, above all, low-salt diet is important. Instead of too much table salt, you should rather use one adequate potassium intake care should be taken, which weakens the blood pressure-increasing effect of sodium (table salt). Potassium is found among others in fruit, vegetables and Potatoes. In parallel with the diet, as already described above, should be applied Alcohol and nicotine are avoided and on a regular cardiovascular training be respected. In your job you should try Reduce stress and up adequate relaxation to pay attention.