If you’re looking for a cardiologist in Newburgh , NY , it’s likely that you have some questions about managing high blood pressure. According to the CDC , a whopping 32% of adults have high blood pressure. This condition can lead to heart disease and stroke. Those who have already been diagnosed with a heart condition should monitor their blood pressure regularly.
If you’ve newly discovered that you have high blood pressure, the first step is to find a cardiologist to work with your care. While there are standard recommendations for a healthy lifestyle, you need to know your exact condition to make certain that you’re on the medication and plan that best meets your needs.
Medications and Treatments for High Blood Pressure
If you’ve been diagnosed with high blood pressure, your cardiologist may prescribe medication to help stabilize the condition. They will also need an accurate picture of your current and past lifestyle.
Many patients may be embarrassed about their habits – some might fail to mention how often they drink or that they’re an active smoker. Remember that your cardiologist is on your team. To determine your best treatment, they assess all of the information you can give them.
There are a variety of medications that might be prescribed. In most cases, side effects are minimal. Your physician can go over specific things to look for in any prescription. Some side effects cause discomfort, such as rapid weight gain/loss, erectile dysfunction, upset stomach, or dizziness.
It’s also important to note that other issues, such as kidney function or sleep apnea, can contribute to high blood pressure. This is why it’s so important to list everything when speaking with your cardiologist – they can assess to find any underlying issue.
High blood pressure can be treated with medication, but it’s optimal to improve lifestyle choices. With proper diet, exercise, and other changes, many patients can lower their medication doses or eliminate medication entirely.
Lifestyle Changes to Improve High Blood Pressure
Certain dietary and lifestyle choices impact blood pressure dramatically. Here are a few things to keep in mind when making choices for your health:
- Stress. Work or personal life stresses raise your blood pressure. If you can’t eliminate the biggest issues, you may be able to find ways to better manage them – such as meditation or coping skills that help you to better prioritize your responsibilities.
- Diet. What’s really important is the type of food you eat. Choose foods that are fresh and unprocessed. Limit sodium and things high in fat. Building a healthy diet can take time, but it’s important to keep improving this area of your life.
- Smoking . If you’re a smoker, you already know that there are ample reasons to quit. This habit will dramatically increase your susceptibility to high blood pressure, heart conditions, stroke, and cancer.
- Excessive Drinking. While there are studies that suggest a glass of wine can be beneficial, that doesn’t mean a bottle will be better. Providing you don’t have an alcohol dependency problem, simply limiting your intake to one glass should be sufficient.
- Exercise. Regular exercise will help you improve high blood pressure and even manage your blood sugar levels if you’re diabetic. The key to exercise is building a regular schedule which you can maintain and enjoy.
There are many ways to treat high blood pressure. Often the best methods will combine a healthy lifestyle and regular visits to your physician to monitor your progress.
Source
https://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/data_statistics/fact_sheets/fs_bloodpressure.htm
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/in-depth/high-blood-pressure-medication/art-20046280
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/in-depth/high-blood-pressure/art-20046974
