There are 2 written in blood pressure that normally separated by the symbol '/', for example 110/70. Why should there be two different figures? The first number is the systolic blood pressure, the peak pressure when the heart pumps blood out. While the second digit is the diastolic blood pressure, the pressure at the heart of experience of relaxation and blood filling.Put simply, normal blood pressure is below 120/80 mmHg, while the so-called high blood pressure is at least 140/90 mmHg. For a number between the two, the doctor called it a 'pre-hypertension'.
Blood pressure is too high can cause damage to blood vessels, which results in many other diseases, such as stroke, kidney failure, heart diseases, etc.. High blood pressure has no specific symptoms, so that the diseases due to high blood pressure often suddenly appear without symptoms early.That is why, it is advisable to perform routine blood pressure measurement since the age of 2 years, because children and adolescents also may be exposed to high blood pressure disease. For adults, it is advisable to check their blood pressure every 6 months. If you have a history of high blood pressure can be checked more frequently.
High blood pressure can be controlled, starting with lifestyle changes that can help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of disease due to high blood pressure. The lifestyle that can help lower blood pressure are:
- Stop smoking
- Reduce weight (if overweight)
- Exercise regularly (2-3 times per week, aerobic type) [for more information about the type of aerobic exercise, read the article 'The Basics to Exercising with a Safe & Comfortable']
- A healthy diet (lots of fruits & vegetables, low fat, low salt, do not use MSG)
- Reduce consumption of alcoholic beverages and caffeinated
- Avoid stress
If the decrease in blood pressure has not reached the expected after making lifestyle changes, decreased blood pressure should also be helped with medication. There are various classes of blood pressure lowering drugs (antihypertensive drugs) that can be advised doctors to reduce blood pressure. Remember, though using antihypertensive drugs, still have to make a healthy lifestyle for these drugs to work effectively & dosage can be kept as low as possible.
Antihypertensive drug must usually be taken for life so that blood pressure can continue to control so that blood pressure can reach normal numbers & protected from the diseases due to high blood pressure. Therefore, usually the doctor will choose medicines that have the fewest side effects, easy to carry / get everywhere, not expensive [read the article 'Why Use Generic Drugs?'], & Start with the lowest dose.
What to remember when using antihypertensive medication, keep blood pressure should be checked regularly & do not ever stop using antihypertensive medication abruptly, because it can lead to increased blood pressure suddenly so that it can cause various diseases. Termination or replacement of antihypertensive drugs should be on the advice of a doctor. Always present a complaint due to side effects of drugs on doctors, so doctors can assess whether the drug dose may be adjusted, replaced, or give suggestions to be done to reduce the impact of side effects.
