Top 10 Essentials for Hypertension Patients

Blood pressure is the force exerted by blood on the walls of arteries. Hypertension is a condition in which blood flows under increased pressure over a prolonged period. When the pressure is too high, the heart has to work harder to pump blood throughout the body. Hence, it often leads to heart attacks, kidney damage, and strokes. Hypertension is commonly found in overweight individuals, the elderly, those with diabetes, and those with high cholesterol. However, one cannot assume their blood pressure is normal because of these factors. Regularly monitor blood pressure levels to avoid regrettable consequences. Normal blood pressure is 120/80 mm Hg. Blood pressure readings above 140/90 mm Hg indicate hypertension.

Although hypertension often occurs silently without obvious symptoms, it's important to watch out for the following signs: Dizziness, severe headaches, fatigue, chest pain, nausea, vision problems, and respiratory issues. Hypertension (or high blood pressure) is a chronic condition where the blood pressure against artery walls is consistently elevated. High blood pressure imposes a significant burden on the heart and is the root cause of many serious cardiovascular complications such as stroke, heart failure, coronary artery disease, and myocardial infarction...

There are mainly four types of hypertension:

• Essential hypertension (or primary, idiopathic hypertension): No specific cause, accounting for up to 90% of cases.
  
• Secondary hypertension (Hypertension is a symptom of other diseases): Linked to certain kidney disorders, artery conditions, valve diseases, and some endocrine disorders.
  
• Isolated systolic hypertension: When only the systolic blood pressure is elevated while the diastolic blood pressure is normal.
  
• Hypertension during pregnancy, including gestational hypertension and preeclampsia: Warns of certain cardiovascular risks during pregnancy.

The principle of measuring blood pressure involves inflating a cuff around the arm with rubber, causing the pulse of an artery to disappear, then gradually releasing the air and recording the artery's reactions. The systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings help the doctor assess whether the patient has hypertension or not. To measure blood pressure accurately, consider the following:

• Avoid eating, drinking, smoking, or exercising at least 30 minutes before measuring. Be mentally relaxed during the measurement to avoid increasing blood pressure. Relax for about 15 minutes before measuring.
• Measure the artery of the right arm, with the sleeve rolled up, without clenching the fist, and position the arm at heart level as this is the position of everyday blood pressure.
• The cuff should wrap around at least 80% of the arm, snug against the skin or over a thin layer of clothing.
• Measure at least 2 - 3 times, with 3 minutes between each measurement. The accurate blood pressure reading is the average of 2 - 3 measurements.
• Avoid talking and moving during blood pressure measurement, as it can affect the accuracy of the result.

High blood pressure is the leading cause of heart attacks, strokes, and even death for patients, yet hypertension is often asymptomatic. Hence, high blood pressure is known as the 'silent killer.' The only way to know if you have high blood pressure is through regular blood pressure checks. This is especially important if you have family members with hypertension. Hypertension is extremely dangerous, so patients need to visit their doctor regularly to:

• Check kidney function: Measure urea levels in urine, potassium levels in the blood…
  
• Check blood: Measure glucose levels, calcium levels, uric acid levels, and cholesterol levels in the blood.
  
• Take an electrocardiogram.
  
• Get a chest X-ray.

Maintaining normal blood pressure in the body is indeed not as simple as it seems. When you don't drink enough water, the body compensates by retaining sodium. This is harmful because sodium is directly related to high blood pressure. While the body continues to retain salt and water, chronic dehydration causes the body to gradually constrict blood vessels. The vascular system is a network of small blood vessels where nutrients, gases, and waste products exchange. This leads to increased pressure on the arteries and consequently raises blood pressure. Therefore, high blood pressure patients should:

• Drink enough water, around 1.5 - 2 liters per day.
• Not wait until thirsty to drink because if you have high blood pressure, dehydration can increase the risk for both the heart and the brain.
  
• Many elderly people lose their sense of thirst, so when caring for them, remember to give them water little by little and evenly throughout the day.
  
• Women breastfeeding should drink about 3 liters of water, including filtered water, milk, and soup, every day.

Measuring blood pressure is the only method to determine whether one has hypertension or not. According to the World Health Organization, hypertension is defined as having a maximum blood pressure equal to or above 140mmHg and a minimum blood pressure equal to or above 90 mmHg. One characteristic of blood pressure is its significant variation throughout the day and between days. Therefore, diagnosing hypertension must rely on multiple measurements at different times.

High blood pressure is a dangerous condition, and regularly monitoring blood pressure will provide patients with more knowledge about disease prevention, helping to track the progress of treatment. Regular blood pressure measurements will empower patients to actively understand their condition, no longer feeling anxious about the pressure of illness, taking more responsibility for controlling their blood pressure with an improved diet, physical activity, and appropriate medication.

In the treatment of hypertension, a proper dietary regimen is crucial, contributing to the effectiveness of treatment. Therefore, nutrition for hypertensive individuals is a current concern. Along with antihypertensive medications, a balanced diet also plays a role in effectively controlling blood pressure. Thus, in the diet of hypertensive patients, it is advisable to reduce foods high in fat, salt, and limit alcohol consumption. Increasing the intake of foods such as whole grains, shrimp, fish, beans, and various nuts... Eating plenty of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains helps reduce fat and regulate blood pressure. Especially, it is recommended to consume many foods such as:

• Celery: It helps dilate blood vessels, diuretic, and lower blood pressure.
  
• Chinese cabbage: It has a refreshing effect on the mind and lowers blood pressure.
  
• Water spinach: It helps maintain the permeability pressure of blood vessels and keep blood pressure within normal limits.
  
• Bamboo shoots: It promotes blood circulation, enhances physical fitness, diuretic, and prevents cancer.
  
• Tomato: It helps prevent hypertension, especially when retinal hemorrhage occurs.
  
• Carrot: It helps soften blood vessels, adjust lipid disorders, and stabilize blood pressure.

For hypertensive patients, in addition to lifestyle changes, adherence to treatment and follow-up appointments with the doctor is necessary to control blood pressure stably, avoid complications, and serious events. Taking antihypertensive medication before or after meals is both acceptable because antihypertensive drugs are formulated for oral administration and are not related to meals, thus not affecting the stomach. Some people have the habit of measuring their blood pressure as soon as they wake up, recording it in a logbook, and then taking their medication immediately without any issue. Hypertensive patients should note the following:

• Take antihypertensive medication for life to lower blood pressure to a tolerable level while also paying attention to protecting the heart, brain, kidneys, etc.
  
• Do not take multiple medications with different effects simultaneously as it may cause adverse reactions.
  
• Incorrect usage may lead to regrettable consequences.
  
• Choose the appropriate type of medication, with long-term effectiveness; it is best to follow the doctor's instructions.

Cold weather is highly unfavorable for individuals with hypertension. Therefore, those with high blood pressure need to keep their bodies warm, especially their head, neck, and feet. Avoid sudden temperature changes, as the body may not adapt quickly, leading to cerebrovascular accidents, and myocardial infarctions. Hypertensive individuals should not wake up too early, as statistics show a high incidence of strokes or heart attacks in the morning among the elderly or those who exercise early in the morning. After a night's sleep, the body often responds poorly to external changes, with blood vessels being less elastic and blood circulation less efficient. If waking up too early and encountering cold wind, blood pressure rises, which is a cause of stroke and heart attack. Hypertensive patients should pay attention to some aspects of daily life:

• Eat on time, sleep adequately.
• Avoid overworking, stress, always keep the mind relaxed and comfortable.
• Minimize the use of harmful stimulants such as alcohol, beer, cigarettes...
• Individuals aged 40 and above should limit the consumption of cholesterol-rich foods.

Hypertension is a common condition, especially in the elderly. It is also a leading cause of death or disability among cardiovascular diseases. In the treatment of hypertension, in addition to taking medication as directed by a doctor, it is necessary to maintain a proper diet and exercise regimen. Furthermore, in meals, one should pay attention to:

• Eat slowly, chew thoroughly.
  
• Consume more in the morning, reduce portion sizes in the evening.
  
• Consider fasting one day a week and replacing meals with fruit juice.
  
• Reduce food intake, avoiding overeating but also not letting oneself go hungry.

Building physical fitness through physical activities is an essential part of lifestyle changes and hypertension treatment. However, depending on the stage of hypertension, individuals should pursue certain appropriate exercises to balance their blood pressure levels. In addition to knowledge about exercise according to the stages of the disease, hypertensive individuals should also consider the following to stay motivated and maximize blood pressure balance within permissible limits:

• Participate in appropriate physical activities to improve fitness, expand blood vessels around muscles, reduce fatigue for the brain, and limit blood pressure spikes.
  
• Individuals engaged in mental work should allocate a certain amount of time to relax and engage in gentle activities.
  
• Regularly engage in physical exercise with appropriate exercises and movements.
  
• If possible, attend yoga centers to improve health, enhance immunity, and prevent diseases.