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High blood pressure, aka hypertension, is a common condition characterized by increased blood pressure in which the blood against your arteries is high enough to cause heart and kidney disease. People can have high blood pressure for years without having any specific symptoms. Persistent damage to the blood vessels can damage your heart. Uncontrolled hypertension increases one’s risk of serious health problems, including heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease. Fortunately, hypertension can be easily detected.
Lifestyle modifications can help control high blood pressure. Your doctor may advise making lifestyle changes that include eating a heart-healthy diet, limiting salt intake, getting regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, and limiting alcohol intake. Commonly advised antihypertensive agents include thiazide diuretics, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), and calcium channel blockers. These medications help relax the blood vessels, allowing the heart to pump enough blood and improving blood flow across the body.