Treatment FAQ

what is the medical treatment htn

by Hilton Heathcote Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Medications used to treat high blood pressure include: Diuretics. Diuretics, sometimes called water pills, are medications that help your kidneys eliminate sodium and water from the body. These drugs are often the first medications tried to treat high blood pressure.Jul 1, 2021

Medication

For more info, visit this CDC list of resources compiled from a number of organizations, as well as VNSNY’s Managing High Blood Pressure Self Care Guide. Learn more about how home health care ...

Nutrition

What does HTN mean in medical terms?

  • Severe headache.
  • Fatigue or confusion.
  • Vision problems.
  • Chest pain.
  • Difficulty breathing.
  • Irregular heartbeat.
  • Blood in the urine.
  • Pounding in your chest, neck, or ears.

How to manage HTN?

Hypertension (HTN or HT), also known as high blood pressure (HBP), is a long-term medical condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is persistently elevated. What does HTN mean? 1: abnormally high blood pressure and especially arterial blood pressure. 2: the systemic condition accompanying high blood pressure.

What does HTN mean in medical terms?

Hypertension is a condition in which an individual's blood pressure is higher than normal. Understand the definition and stages of hypertension, and explore the symptoms and causes of primary and ...

What does HTN stand for medical?

What does HTN stand for in nursing?

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What is medical HTN?

Overview. High blood pressure (hypertension) is a common condition in which the long-term force of the blood against your artery walls is high enough that it may eventually cause health problems, such as heart disease.

Which drug is used for severe HTN?

Rapid-acting intravenous antihypertensive agents are available, including labetalol, esmolol, fenoldopam, nicardipine and sodium nitroprusside. Newer agents, such as clevidipine and fenoldopam, may hold considerable advantages to other available agents in the management of hypertensive crises.

What are the top 5 blood pressure medications?

In terms of dollar sales, there are 5 top high blood pressure medications.the angiotensin II receptor blocker valsartan (Diovan) in the lead for high blood pressure medications,the beta-blocker metoprolol,the generic combination of valsartan and HCTZ,olmesartan (Benicar), and.olmesartan and HCTZ (Benicar HCT).

Which are the drugs for 3rd line treatment of hypertension?

We also found that diuretics were the most frequently prescribed third-line antihypertensive for patients receiving combination therapy with an ARB and a CCB. The addition rates of diuretics differed based on the doses of CCBs used in combination therapy.

What is the first line of therapy for high blood pressure?

Diuretics are often recommended as the first line of therapy for most people who have high blood pressure. However, your doctor may start a medicine other than a diuretic as the first line of therapy if you have certain medical problems. For example, ACE inhibitors are often a choice for people with diabetes.

What is the most important element in the management of high blood pressure?

The most important element in the management of high blood pressure is follow-up care.

Why is high blood pressure dangerous?

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is dangerous because it can lead to strokes, heart attacks, heart failure, or kidney disease. The goal of hypertension treatment is to lower high blood pressure and protect important organs, like the brain, heart, and kidneys from damage. Treatment for hypertension has been associated with reductions in stroke ...

How to get your heart pumping?

Getting regular aerobic exercise( such as brisk walking at least 30 minutes a day, several days a week). Check out a yogaclass. Seek out activities that get your heartpounding, like biking or swimming. Over the course of a week, aim to exerciseconsistently for at least 2 1/2 hours total.

What to do if blood pressure is 20/10?

If your blood pressure is more than 20/10 points higher than it should be, your doctor may consider starting you on two drugs or placing you on a combination drug.

How to prevent high blood pressure?

To prevent high blood pressure, everyone should be encouraged to make lifestyle modifications, such as eating a healthier diet, quitting smoking, and getting more exercise. Treatment with medicationis recommended to lower blood pressure to less than 130/80 in people older than age 65 and those with risk factors such as diabetes and high cholesterol.

How to reduce blood pressure with alcohol?

Getting regular aerobic exercise (such as brisk walking at least 30 minutes a day, several days a week) Limiting alcohol to two drinks a day for men, one drink a day for women. In addition to lowering blood pressure, these measures enhance the effectiveness of high blood pressure drugs.

What is the best way to reduce blood pressure?

Diuretics . Diuretics , sometimes called water pills, help the kidneys get rid of excess water and salt (sodium). This reduces the volume of blood that needs to pass through the blood vessels. As a result, blood pressure goes down. There are three major types of diuretics defined by how they work.

What is resistant hypertension?

Resistant hypertension refers to blood pressure that remains high after trying at least three different types of blood pressure medication. Someone whose high blood pressure is controlled by taking four different kinds of medication is considered to have resistant hypertension.

How does catecholamine affect blood pressure?

The muscles around some blood vessels have what are known as alpha-1 or alpha adrenergic receptors. When a catecholamine binds to an alpha-1 receptor, the muscle contracts, the blood vessel narrows, and blood pressure rises.

What is the systolic pressure of a person with hypertension?

Hypertension (or high blood pressure) is present once the systolic pressure is 130 or higher, or the diastolic pressure is 80 or higher.

What is considered high blood pressure?

The goal is to get your blood pressure below the high range. If normal is less than 120/80 mm Hg, what’s high? When the systolic blood pressure — the top number — is between 120 and 129, and the diastolic blood pressure — the bottom number — is less than 80, this is considered elevated blood pressure.

What is the purpose of beta blockers?

Beta-blockers help the heart to beat with less speed and force. The heart pumps less blood through the blood vessels with each beat, so blood pressure decreases. There are many drugs within this classification, including:

Can children take blood pressure medication?

Children may take the same blood pressure medications as adults when necessary. For children with secondary hypertension, blood pressure often returns to normal once the underlying condition is treated.

What are the symptoms of hypertension?

A person experiencing a sudden onset of hypertension may experience any combination of symptoms that range from severe headache, nosebleeds, and nausea to neurological symptoms, like confusion and blurred vision. These symptoms are signs that blood pressure is dangerously high and requires immediate medical attention.

What is white coat hypertension?

This is called white coat hypertension and may be credited to a person feeling anxious around doctors in white coats and the sterile environment. In this case, a doctor may prescribe a 24-hour ambulatory monitoring, which you can wear during your normal daily activities. By averaging your blood pressure while you are awake and asleep, a doctor can determine if you are normotensive, an indication of normal blood pressure, or hypertensive.

What is the blood pressure of a person at risk for hypertension?

Prehypertensive blood pressure: At risk for developing hypertension (measured as 120-139 mmHg systolic or 80-89 mmHg diastolic)

What is normal blood pressure?

Normal blood pressure is categorized as less than 120 mmHg systo lic pressure and less than 80 mmHg diastolic pressure. Normally, blood pressure will rise and fall as you go through the course of your day, just as your heart rate does. Hypertension is a condition when your systolic blood pressure is higher than 120 mmHg and your diastolic blood ...

How do you know if you have hypertension?

If hypertension is not detected, it can wreak havoc on your cardiovascular system by putting excess strain on your blood vessel walls and heart. In some very rare cases, a person may develop a sudden onset of hypertension, which causes noticeable symptoms. Preeclampsia during pregnancy and severe kidney disease are examples. A person experiencing a sudden onset of hypertension may experience any combination of symptoms that range from severe headache, nosebleeds, and nausea to neurological symptoms, like confusion and blurred vision. These symptoms are signs that blood pressure is dangerously high and requires immediate medical attention.

What happens if you don't detect hypertension?

If hypertension is not detected, it can wreak havoc on your cardiovascular system by putting excess strain on your blood vessel walls and heart. In some very rare cases, a person may develop a sudden onset of hypertension, which causes noticeable symptoms.

Can a person with prehypertension be genetically inclined?

Some individuals, especially those who are of African American ancestry, may be genetically inclined to develop hypertension. Primary hypertension is often associated with an individual's lifestyle. Poor diet, especially those high in sodium and fat, increase a person's odds that he or she will develop hypertension, along with habitual drinking and smoking. Additionally, obesity and lack of exercise are linked to hypertension. This is why doctors recommend that people diagnosed with prehypertension or stage 1 hypertension make lifestyle changes to slow or stop the progression of the disease. This can be effective in reducing blood pressure for some people but not all.

What is the BP of a patient with stage 1 hypertension?

Stage 1 hypertension. Patients who have a BP reading of 130-139 mm Hg systolic and 80-89 mm Hg diastolic have stage 1 hypertension. If there is known clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease or an estimated 10-year cardiovascular disease risk at or above 10 percent, physicians should provide nonpharmacological therapy and BP-lowering medication.

What is the BP of a high blood pressure?

When the 2017 ACC/AHA high BP guideline was released, the share of American adults with hypertension increased from 32 percent to 46 percent under the new definition of high BP as a reading at or above 130/80 mm Hg. A BP treatment algorithm is available for physicians, and the AMA and the American Heart Association (AHA) have joined forces to make it easier to follow, understand and implement.

How long does it take to reassess blood pressure for stage 2 hypertension?

Stage 2 hypertension. The recommended action for a patient with stage 2 hypertension—BP readings at or above 140/90 mm Hg—is both nonpharmacological therapy and BP-lowering medication. Patients’ blood pressure should be reassessed after one month. If the blood pressure goal has been met, reassess in three to six months. However, if the BP goal was not met, physicians should assess and optimize adherence to therapy, and consider intensification of therapy.

How many organizations have been recognized for blood pressure control?

In 2017, the AMA and AHA acknowledged early adopters of the recognition program by identifying over 300 organizations. And in 2018, nearly 800 organizations have been recognized for their efforts focusing on blood pressure control within the populations they serve.

What is target BP?

In addition to direct access to trained field-support specialists, a data platform and a suite of evidence-based tools and resources offered by the AMA and the AHA, Target: BP offers annual, recurring recognition for all participating sites and those that achieve hypertension control rates of 70 percent or higher among their adult patient population each year.

What is considered elevated BP?

Elevated BP. This is defined as a BP reading of 120–129 mm Hg systolic and less than 80 mm Hg diastolic. Nonpharmacological therapy is recommended for treatment of this category of blood pressure. This includes consuming a heart-healthy diet such as DASH, reducing sodium intake, increasing physical activity, limiting alcohol consumption and losing weight for those who are overweight. Reassess patients every three to six months.

What is the goal of hypertension treatment?

The goal of hypertension treatment is to reduce BP to <140/90 mm Hg; however, in patients with hypertension and diabetes or renal disease, the BP goal is even lower, targeted at ≤130/80 mm Hg.1Nonpharmacologic interventions should be instituted in all patients with hypertension. When used early, lifestyle modifications can decrease other disease risks and may avoid the need for drug therapy. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, however, is not sufficient or is difficult to comply with, and most patients will require pharmacologic interventions to control their BP.

What is the first line of medication for hypertension?

First-line medications used in the treatment of hypertension include diuretics, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), beta-blockers, and calcium channel blockers (CCBs). Some patients will require 2 or more antihypertensive medications to achieve their BP target.

How much did hypertension cost in 2009?

The total direct and indirect costs of hypertension in 2009 are estimated at $73.4 billion. ▸ Despite the many therapeutic options, most patients are still not at blood pressure goals. Instituting early preventive measures is essential to minimize complications associated with this costly condition.

How many people in the US have hypertension?

Hypertension affects approximately 1 of 3 adults in the United States, and about 2 million new cases are diagnosed each year.1,2An additional 28% of the US population is afflicted with prehypertension, and approximately 7% of Americans are not aware that they even have hypertension.3Globally, hypertension affects more than 1 billion people and is projected to reach 1.56 billion by 2025.4It is the leading cause of death and the second leading cause of lost disability-adjusted life-years worldwide.4Randomized controlled clinical trials have shown that control of hypertension reduces the risk of stroke, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, end-stage renal disease, peripheral vascular disease, and mortality.1,5The risk of developing these complications is continuous, starting at a blood pressure (BP) level as low as 115/75 mm Hg.6

What causes elevated BP?

Despite the prevalence of hypertension, approximately 90% to 95% of American adults with elevated BP are found to have no identifiable cause for their condition. Of the 5% with known causes, renal parenchymal and renovascular diseases are the most common culprits.1Other notable etiologies for hypertension include1: 1 Chronic kidney disease 2 Coarctation of the aorta 3 Cushing syndrome 4 Obstructive sleep apnea 5 Medications 6 Pheochromocytoma 7 Primary hyperaldosteronism 8 Renovascular disease 9 Thyroid/parathyroid disease.

How to diagnose hypertension?

The key to the diagnosis of hypertension is accurate measurements of BP. Improper hand positioning, incorrect BP cuff size, and insufficient time to relax (<5 minutes) before BP measurements are common errors that can lead to falsely elevated readings. At least 2 BP readings of ≥140/90 mm Hg obtained at 3 different office visits and separated by 2 to 4 weeks are needed to make the diagnosis of hypertension .11When classifying a patient's BP to determine treatment, choose the highest category between the systolic and diastolic BP. Ambulatory BP monitoring or serial home BP measurements are recommended for patients suspected of having “white coat” hypertension (acute BP elevation in the clinic setting but normal BP when taken outside of the physician's office) or for those with labile or inconsistent readings during the medical encounter.

What are the advantages of a fixed therapy regimen?

Advantages of fixed combination therapy include better compliance, fewer side effects, faster response, and possibly lower cost, depending on the choice of agents and the insurance programs. The combination of an ACE inhibitor or ARB with a diuretic is an effective and well-tolerated initial regimen.

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Diagnosis

Clinical Trials

Lifestyle and Home Remedies

Alternative Medicine

Medically reviewed by
Dr. Karthikeya T M
Your provider will work with you to develop a care plan that may include one or more of these treatment options.
Simple lifestyle changes can regulate high blood pressure, but when blood pressure is very high or lifestyle measures fail, medications for life long will be recommended.
Medication

Beta blockers: Helps in reducing the heart rate thus decreasing the blood pressure.

Acebutolol . Atenolol . Betaxolol


Diuretics: Increases urination which in turn reduces the sodium and fluid content resulting in decreasing blood pressure.

Bumetanide . Chlorthalidone . Chlorothiazide


Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors: Widens the blood vessels thereby aiding in easy blood flow and reduce the blood pressure.

Captopril . Fosinopril . Lisinopril . Ramipril


Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs): Helps relax the blood vessels to lower the pressure.

Losartan . Telmisartan


Calcium channel blockers: Reduces the amount of calcium entering heart muscles thereby reducing the heart rate and controlling blood pressure.

Amlodipine . Felodipine . Isradipine


Alpha blockers: The muscles of arteries and veins are relaxed thus reducing the blood pressure.

Doxazosin . Prazosin . Terazosin


Renin inhibitors: Inhibits the enzyme that favors the production of angiotensin (a peptide hormone, which aids in regulation of blood pressure) which constricts blood vessels.

Aliskiren

Nutrition

Foods to eat:

  • Eat more fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy foods
  • Cut back on foods that are High in saturated fat, cholesterol, and trans fats
  • Eat more whole-grain foods, fish, poultry, and nuts

Foods to avoid:

  • Frozen foods
  • Salty and sugary foods
  • Caffeine and alcohol
  • Red meats

Specialist to consult

Cardiologist
Specializes in the diagnosis and management heart related disorders.
Primary care physician
Specializes in the acute and chronic illnesses and provides preventive care and health.

Coping and Support

  • Your doctor will ask questions about your medical history and do a physical examination. The doctor, nurse or other medical assistant will place an inflatable arm cuff around your arm and measure your blood pressure using a pressure-measuring gauge. Your blood pressure generally …
See more on mayoclinic.org

Preparing For Your Appointment

  • Explore Mayo Clinic studiestesting new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition.
See more on mayoclinic.org

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