Have you ever been told you have high blood pressure? What have you done to improve your blood pressure? In many cases medication and lifestyle changes are recommended to successfully treat high blood pressure.  

What is High Blood Pressure?

When you go to the doctor, you have your blood pressure measured. Two numbers are reported. With each heartbeat your blood pressure rises. It then falls as your heart relaxes between beats. Ideally your blood pressure will be 120/80 mm Hg or less, but approximately one-third of adults in the U.S. have high blood pressure. Consistent readings at or above 140/90 mm Hg require treatment. 

Why Treat High Blood Pressure?

If your blood pressure is too high, your heart has to work too hard to pump blood through blood vessels. Your blood vessel walls can become overstretched and injured. High blood pressure is called a "silent killer" because potential results of leaving it untreated are:

• Heart attack
• Heart failure
• Stroke
• Blindness
• Kidney failure

Medications

In addition to lifestyle changes, such as reduced salt intake and increased exercise, your doctor may prescribe medication. Multiple options are available, but calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are commonly prescribed. In addition to treating high blood pressure, they also treat irregular heartbeats and ease chest pain.

CCBs work by relaxing the blood vessels. The result is the heart does not have to pump as hard. In addition, the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart is increased.

To control your blood pressure, you need to work with your doctor and health insurance provider to determine what treatment plan is best for you. If medication is prescribed, be sure to take it as directed. Don't stop taking the medication without talking to your doctor first.

Don't ignore your high blood pressure any longer. Work with your doctor and health insurance provider to treat your high blood pressure and reduce your risk from this "silent killer."