High blood pressure (hypertension) is a common condition in which the force of the blood against the artery walls is too high. If left untreated, it can lead to serious health problems, such as heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure.
What Causes High Blood Pressure?
The most common cause of high blood pressure is an unhealthy lifestyle. This includes eating an unhealthy diet, not getting enough physical activity, being overweight, drinking too much alcohol, smoking, and having high levels of stress. Other factors that can contribute to high blood pressure include genetics, age, gender, and certain medical conditions.
Lifestyle Changes to Help Lower Blood Pressure
Making lifestyle changes is one of the most effective ways to lower your blood pressure. These changes include eating a healthy diet that's low in salt and saturated fat, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol consumption, quitting smoking, and managing stress.
Medications to Help Lower Blood Pressure
If lifestyle changes are not enough to lower your blood pressure, your doctor may prescribe medication. Commonly prescribed medications for high blood pressure include diuretics, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs).
High blood pressure is a serious condition that can lead to serious health problems, so it is important to take steps to lower it. Making lifestyle changes and taking medication, if necessary, can help you keep your blood pressure under control.