Hypertension » Types

Treatment of Hypertension

admin — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 02:00:27 +0000

Hypertension (defined as a blood pressure Originally posted 2009-11-25 08:40:22. Republished by Old Post Promoter Related posts:What Causes Hypertension, Symptoms of Hypertension and TreatmentCauses and Treatment of HypertensionHypertension – Symptoms, Causes and Treatment Related posts:

Hypertension-a Silent Killer

admin — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 02:00:23 +0000

HYPERTENSION – A SILENT KILLER .

Hypertension a common disease that result from the consistent constant elevation of the systolic or diastolic pressure above 140/90 mmhg , the diagnosis of hypertension requires that elevated readings be present on atleast three occassions during several weeks .Hypertension causes no symptoms to motivate a person to seek treatment . When symptoms do occur , they signify either secondary causes of hypertension or effects of sustained elevation of Bp on target organs . When you consider the types of hypertension , it is of two types – primary hypertension and secondary hypertension .

PRIMARY HYPERTENSION :
It accounts for more than 90% of all cases and has no known case , although it is theorised that genetic factor , hormonal changes , and alterations in sympathetic tone all play a role in its development .

SECONDARY HYPERTENSION :
It develops as a consequence of particular underlying disease or condition . Now let us see the major risk factors of hypertension according to its types ,

Primary hypertension – The identified risk factors in primary hypertension are as follows :
1 , age – onset between 30 – 50 years of age , increases over 65 years of age .
2 , sex – males in young adulthood and early middle age , females after the age of 55 years .
3 , race – African-Americans as in caucasians .
4, family history .
5 , obesity .
6 , smoking .
7 , high salt diet .
8 , elevated serum lipids .
9 , alcohol .
10,sedentary life style .
11 , diabetes mellitus .
12 , socio-economic status .
13 ,emotional stress .

Secondary hypertension – Major risk factors of secondary hypertension include the following ,
1 , Coarctation or congenital narrowing of the aorta .
2 , Renal disease such as renal artery stenosis parenchymal disease and reno vascular disease . 3 , Endocrine disorders such as pheochromocytoma , cushing syndrome , hyper and primary aldosteronism .
4 , Neurologic disorders such as brain tumours , quadriplegia and head injury .
5 , Sleep apnoea .
6 , Medications , oestrogen replacement theraphy , oral contraceptive pills , and non – steroidal anti – inflammatory drugs .
7 , Pregnancy – induced hypertension . These are the major risk factors of hypertension which should be known to all , to prevent the hypertension

Originally posted 2009-11-18 10:34:37. Republished by Old Post Promoter

Hypertension – a Silent Killer Rises Due to Rise in Blood Pressure

admin — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 02:00:18 +0000

Hypertension is often known as a silent killer. Hypertension is the increase in blood pressure inside the arteries, caused due to high pressure exerted by the heart to pump the blood into the system. The higher your blood pressure, the higher your risk of stroke, heart attack, congestive heart failure, kidney disease, and even, new research has found dementia. Hypertension contributes to heart attacks and strokes by damaging the inner walls of the arteries and by speeding up the inflammatory process. Hypertension is the number one risk factor for strokes.

Causes of hypertension: In 90 percent to 95 percent of high blood pressure cases, there is no identifiable cause. This type of high blood pressure, called essential hypertension or primary hypertension, tends to develop gradually over many years.

The other 5 percent to 10 percent of high blood pressure cases are caused by an underlying condition. This type of high blood pressure, called secondary hypertension, tends to appear suddenly and cause higher blood pressure than does primary hypertension. Various conditions can lead to secondary hypertension, including kidney abnormalities, tumors of the adrenal gland or certain congenital heart defects.

Certain medications ? including birth control pills, cold remedies, decongestants, over-the-counter pain relievers and some prescription drugs ? also may cause secondary hypertension.

Alcohol intake, smoking and cocaine intake can cause hypertension through varied mechanisms.

In addition to the appropriate medications, with correct lifestyle interventions (the right diet, losing weight, regular exercise, stress management and yoga), one can get hypertension under control and significantly lower one?s risk of developing life-threatening diseases.

Tips to maintain healthy blood pressure:

* Maintain a healthy weight; if you are overweight, lose some. Being overweight increases your risk of high blood pressure by six to eight times.

* Be more physically active. Fit some light activity into your daily routine like taking a walk at lunchtime or dinner, using the stairs instead of the elevator etc.

* Choose foodstuffs lower in salt and sodium.

* Check food labels for information of sodium in the food. Look for products with “unsalted” or “sodium free” labels.

* Buy fresh poultry, fish and lean meat, and fresh, or canned with “no salt added”, vegetables.

* Cut back on frozen dinners, pizza, canned soups, broths and salad dressings, which are high in sodium.

* If you drink alcohol, do it in moderation (maximum 1-2drinks per day). If you have no more than 2 drinks a day, your risk of high blood pressure is low.

* Stop smoking.

* There is evidence that inclusion of few of the foods rich in calcium, potassium, omega 3 fatty acids, magnesium etc , may help prevent hypertension.

For more information on Hypertension, Diets for Hypertension, and Weight Loss Diets please visit Nutrition Consultants

Originally posted 2009-12-23 06:49:06. Republished by Old Post Promoter

Type 2 Diabetes and Hypertension

admin — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 02:00:16 +0000

Hypertension is extremely common in people with type 2 diabetes, affecting approximately 20-60% of all patients, depending on age, ethnicity, and body weight. The causes of this type of high-blood pressure are unknown, but are likely to be a complex combination of genetic, environmental, and other factors.

Originally posted 2009-11-04 07:12:54. Republished by Old Post Promoter

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Getting Your Hypertension Under Control

admin — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 02:00:06 +0000

Hypertension is a growing problem in the United States today. Everyday, more and more people are being diagnosed with it.

Although there are several types of hypertension, all can lead to heart disease, heart attacks and even death, if left untreated.

Hypertension can be caused by several different factors. Family history is the biggest factor in who will develop this. Certain ethnic backgrounds tend to have more hypertension than others.

Studies indicate that it is because of the types of foods that are consumed. Foods that are high in fat, especially saturated fats, can cause hypertension. Using a lot of salt has also been associated with high blood pressure.

Lack of exercise and obesity are also causes of hypertension. Millions of people worldwide are either overweight or obese.

Other causes include high caffeine intake, such as coffee and soda, lack of exercise, smoking, and high cholesterol levels.

People who are diagnosed with hypertension are more likely to suffer from heart disease, heart attacks, strokes and kidney related problems.

Where there is cause for concern, it is not necessary to panic or stress over the diagnosis. There are ways to treat hypertension and still lead a normal life.

There are many different types of medications called Anti-hypertensives on the market today that can treat hypertension by lowering blood pressure to an acceptable level. Your doctor will advise you on what level is right for you.

Maintaining a proper blood pressure is critical because it affects the critical parts of your body. Heart, kidneys, the adrenal glands and brain function are all affected by blood pressure.

Your doctor will also advise you that lifestyle changes need to be made. The most difficult thing the doctor will tell you to do is to quit smoking.

Weight loss is the next step. Fitness centers and gyms offer a personal trainer that will assist you with your weight loss needs and set up a program that is tailored to your specific needs. Fitness centers also offer nutritional counseling. A nutritionist can put together menu options that you can stick to.

It is important to add a lot of fruits and vegetables to your diet. These will assist in lowering your blood pressure. Reducing your salt intake will also assist in lowering your blood pressure.

Hypertension can affect every aspect of your life. If you do not treat it, it can lead to serious, sometimes fatal, results.

Although this disease is affecting more and more people every year, it is a completely treatable. In fact, it is one of the most treatable diseases today. It is crucial to your health to make the necessary changes to lower your blood pressure. This will insure a long and happy life.

Disclaimer: If you need more information about hypertension, talk to your doctor or a qualified professional.

Originally posted 2009-12-09 07:55:24. Republished by Old Post Promoter

Treatment for Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (PPH) pt.1

admin — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 01:59:54 +0000

Do you have pulmonary hypertension? This medical disorder, which is more serious in some patients than for others, occurs when blood pressure increases in the pulmonary artery to the point where blood flow to the lungs is restricted and the heart becomes overworked.

This, in turn, results in a myriad of unpleasant symptoms ranging from lightheadedness and dizziness to fainting spells and shortness of breath or breathing difficulties, and is marked by a dramatically reduced physical activity and exercise tolerance.

Although there are many different types (venous, hypoxic, arterial, thromboembolic, or primary) as well as specific causes (ranging from pulmonary embolism, heart disorders, and autoimmune disorders to genetics and the use of certain weight-loss pills) of pulmonary hypertension, the condition known as primary pulmonary hypertension, or PPH, refers to pulmonary hypertension with a cause that is unknown or unproven in nature.

However, one specific cause that has often been linked to primary pulmonary hypertension is the use of Fen-Phen, a popular weight-loss and anti-obesity pill until the FDA took it off the market in 1997 after more and more reports surfaced, linking its use to the potential development of primary pulmonary hypertension.

Effective PPH treatment is essential if you have primary pulmonary hypertension, no matter why or how you developed this disorder. Flolan, a vasodilator FDA-approved drug as well as a natural form of prostacyclin produced by Glaxo Wellcome, Inc., is one of the more common choices for PPH treatment for a number of reasons. It works by relaxing the lungs’ blood vessels, slowing down the production of cell growth and scar tissue there, preventing the vessels from narrowing, and increasing oxygen in the blood.

Patients who take this treatment notice an improvement in their level of physical activity and exercise, and it may prolong their lives. This treatment is also considered an alternative to having a lung transplant. Finally, because it is a natural form of PPH treatment, Flolan is often preferred over other types of PPH treatment.

However, it is not taken as an oral tablet to treat primary pulmonary hypertension; it is actually quite a bit more complicated than that. Instead, the body receives it intravenously via a catheter through a vein in the chest leading to the heart.

The drug is then pumped into the patient’s system slowly but continuously through a battery-operated pump generally carried inside a little shoulder pack or worn on the belt. In addition, Flolan is natural and therefore has a short shelf life, meaning it must be mixed daily as well as refrigerated. The fact that it is generally considered to be inconvenient for some to use is one of the drug’s biggest complaints.

However, because it is a natural, biological substance and agent, using this treatment has fewer and less serious side-effects than other types of PPH treatment, such as Tracleer. The most common side-effects associated with Flolan include headaches, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, jaw pain, and flushing. Very rarely do infections occur within the catheter, but when they do occur, hospitalization and replacement may be necessary.

It is often compared to other types of PPH treatment and drugs used for primary pulmonary hypertension, the most common of which are Remodulin and Tracleer. Flolan and Remodulin are quite similar in a number of ways (how they work and side-effects), but while Remodulin lasts longer than Flolan and does not need to be mixed or refrigerated daily, the location of the injection (abdominal area) must be changed often, and significant pain can develop in the injection area.

Tracleer is considered much more convenient to take than Flolan because Tracleer is taken orally as a tablet; however, it does have more and more serious side-effects, particularly related to the liver.

If Flolan treatment sounds like something that would work well for you in your lifestyle and situation and for treating your primary pulmonary hypertension, talk to your doctor about taking it to find out if it’s right for you. Keep in mind that it does require a prescription.

If you have personally used Fen-Phen as a drug to help you lose weight (particularly substantial amounts of weight) in the past and you now suffer from primary pulmonary hypertension and require PPH treatment, there could very well be a link between the two. Did you know that law firms specializing in cases like these can help you? Contact an established law firm that specializes in helping patients who have used Fen-Phen diet pills and now may have primary pulmonary hypertension or other medical condition or complication as a result.

Nick Johnson is lead counsel with Johnson Law Group. Johnson represents plaintiffs in many states and focuses on injury cases involving Fen-Phen and PPH, Paxil, Mesothelioma and Nursing Home Abuse. Call Nick Johnson at 1-888-311-5522 or visit http://www.jbclawfirm.com

Originally posted 2009-12-02 07:08:55. Republished by Old Post Promoter

Hypertensive Encephalopathy Treatment Information

admin — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 01:59:54 +0000

Hypertensive encephalopathy describes the transitory migratory neurologic symptoms associated with the cancerous hypertensive country in hypertensive emergency. Hypertensive encephalopathy refers to a comparatively quickly evolving syndrome of serious hypertension in association with serious worry, sickness, and vomiting, visual disturbances, convulsions, altered psychological position and, in sophisticated cases, stupor and coma. Hypertension is more rife in dark folk, exceeding the frequency in new cultural minority groups. The incidence of hypertensive encephalopathy is lowest in light-colored folk.

Hypertension is more rife in men than in women. Hypertensive encephalopathy mostly occurs in middle-aged individuals who have a long-standing history of hypertension. The hallmark of encephalopathy is an altered mental state. Depending on the type and severity of encephalopathy, common neurological symptoms are progressive loss of memory and cognitive ability, subtle personality changes, inability to concentrate, lethargy, and progressive loss of consciousness. Other neurological symptoms may include myoclonus , nystagmus , tremor, muscle atrophy and weakness, dementia, seizures, and loss of ability to swallow or speak.

Treatment is symptomatic and varies, according to the type and severity of the encephalopathy. Pharmacologic agents selected for use in hypertensive encephalopathy should have few or no CNS adverse effects. Avoid agents such as clonidine, reserpine, and methyldopa. Anticonvulsants may be prescribed to reduce or halt any seizures. Changes to diet and nutritional supplements may help some patients. Nitroprusside is frequently used as initial therapy because of its rapid onset and short duration of action. Nitroglycerin has been used to provide a rapid reduction in blood pressure complicating myocardial ischemia.

Hypertensive Encephalopathy Treatment and Prevention Tips

1. Dialysis or organ replacement surgery may be needed.

2. Anticonvulsants may be prescribed to reduce or halt any seizures.

3. Changes to diet and nutritional supplements may help some patients.

4. Nitroprusside is frequently used as initial therapy

5. Avoid agents such as clonidine, reserpine, and methyldopa.

6. Hydralazine has a limited role owing to reflex tachycardia,

7. Trimethaphan camsylate is used to reduce the shearing force in the presence of aortic dissection.

Juliet Cohen writes article for Sty Treatment. She also writes articles for Makeup and Skin Care.

Originally posted 2009-12-30 07:15:49. Republished by Old Post Promoter

Hypertension – Types, Causes and Natural Remedies

admin — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 01:59:40 +0000

As blood flows through arteries it pushes against the inside of the artery walls. The more pressure the blood exerts on the artery walls, the higher the blood pressure will be. The size of small arteries also affects the blood pressure. When the muscular walls of arteries are relaxed, or dilated, the pressure of the blood flowing through them is lower than when the artery walls narrow, or constrict.

Types of Hypertension:

Primary or essential hypertension means that the cause is undetermined or unknown and accounts for 90-95% of all cases of high blood pressure.

Secondary hypertension means that the high blood pressure results from an underlying, identifiable, often correctable cause such as kidney disease, adrenal disorders, thyroid disorders, coarctation of aorta, oral contraceptives, alcohol, or others.

Does Alcohol Consumption Cause High Blood Pressure?

Although the media has widely publicized the beneficial effects of alcohol on the heart, it must be remembered that this applies only to moderate alcohol intake. People who have more than two drinks per day are much more likely to have sustained elevations in blood pressure than nondrinkers. Alcohol may therefore be an unrecognized cause of hypertension in a large number of moderate to heavy drinkers.

Hypertension is typically treated by making changes in your lifestyle, and with drug therapy. Weight decrease and routine aerobic drill (e. g. jogging) are recommended as the best steps in treating balmy to conservative hypertension. Regular balmy drill improves blood flowing and helps to cut resting eye pace and blood force. Stress administration, biofeedback and meditation may assist you cut your blood force. Relaxation therapy, such as meditation, that reduces environmental strain, higher stable levels and over-illumination can be an extra method of ameliorating hypertension.

Natural treatment also suggests certain herbal remedies such as Withania somnifera, Convolvulus pluricaulis, Passiflora, and Ginkgo biloba. Garlic is also recommended as a routine ingredient of diet since it has the power of being a blood thinner. However, be cautious when taking herbal supplements, only using according to the advice of a physician since herbal alkaloids may interfere the balance of the body functions.

Massage:

Massage may be particularly helpful for people with hypertension brought on by stress. One recent study revealed that people with hypertension who receive massages showed significant reductions in blood pressure. In addition, massage tends to help people stick with healthy behaviours such as healthy eating and non-smoking.

Vitamin C is also useful for many metabolic functions. It has also been found recently to help regulate blood pressure. While studies haven’t yet shown it effective at reducing diastolic pressure, it definitely can help reduce the systolic reading. Calcium and magnesium are two supplements that are helpful in reducing blood pressure. You should keep blood pressure information in the form of blood pressure readings to cure high blood pressure. A blood pressure monitor may be very helpful.

Physical treatment is helpful for hypertensive patients. Meditation is one of the methods that hypnosis the brain for thorough relaxation and peace of mind. This in turns helps lowering the blood pressure. Nevertheless, this treatment should be conducted under the guidance of experienced experts or specialists.

Read about Herbal Remedies, Natural Remedies. Also read about Uterine Bleeding, Vaginal Discharge and Pregnancy Information Guide and Help

Originally posted 2009-10-28 06:34:47. Republished by Old Post Promoter

Treatment for Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (PPH) pt. 2

admin — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 01:59:06 +0000

Pulmonary hypertension refers to a medical condition in which there is an elevated blood pressure in the pulmonary artery which can restrict blood flow to the lungs and cause the heart’s right ventricle to overwork itself, leading to a variety of symptoms (including dizziness, fainting, and shortness of breath) as well a marked decreased ability to exert oneself (such as through exercise or a lot of activity).

The term primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH), although it’s now being used less in the medical realm in favor of the term idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension, is still a term used readily in literature as well as in the general public, and refers to pulmonary hypertension that has an unknown or unverified cause.

PPH has many possible causes, but because the term primary pulmonary hypertension was coined due to the fact that its cause is unknown, specific causes are difficult to pinpoint. Causes of the different types of pulmonary hypertension in general can include left heart failure, congenital heart disease, lung diseases, HIV and other autoimmune disorders, pulmonary embolism, and genetics.

One of the biggest suspected causes of primary pulmonary hypertension is the use of certain anti-obesity and weight-loss pills, such as Fen-Phen, which the FDA took off the market in September 1997 after reports linked it to pulmonary hypertension and other conditions.

If you have primary pulmonary hypertension, you’ll want to consider an effective PPH treatment. One of the most popular and beneficial PPH treatments is an FDA-approved drug called Tracleer. Why is this treatment so beneficial? Tracleer treatment, produced by Patheon Inc. and marketed by Actelion Pharmaceuticals, is a vasodilator drug in tablet form that is taken orally in order to help block the effects of endothelin, a vasoconstrictor naturally found in the body to shrink blood vessels, but is found in much higher concentrations in patients with primary pulmonary hypertension.

In addition, PPH treatment using this helps to relax the lung’s blood vessels as well as increase the level of oxygen in the blood. For patients with primary pulmonary hypertension, what this means in a practical sense is that they are able to perform regular activities at an improved level, without becoming fatigued, dizzy, or short of breath right away, and they are able to tolerate exercise more.

However, like all drugs, including others used for PPH treatment, it does have a number of side-effects that patients taking it or considering its use should become aware of. Some of the more common side-effects associated with this treatment include headaches, nasal congestion, flushing out, passing out, and even abnormally low blood pressure.

The most serious possible side-effect associated with this treatment, however, involves the liver. Tracleer can actually impair normal liver function, and even cause liver damage, which may or may not be permanent in nature. As a result, patients with primary pulmonary hypertension on this treatment require monthly blood tests of the liver’s function.

In addition to side-effects, Tracleer treatment also has one major contraindication: pregnant women or women who may be or are trying to become pregnant must not take it, as this particularly form of PPH treatment has been proven to be teratogenic (known to harm a fetus, cause birth defects, or miscarriage).

Therefore, in addition to monthly liver blood tests, female patients on it must take monthly pregnancy tests in case pregnancy occurs, at which point it must be stopped immediately. Further, if you’re a female on Tracleer treatment and you’re using a hormonal method of birth control, you will also have to supplement with a barrier method (like condoms) because it has been shown to reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills, patches, rings, injections, and implants.

While this treatment often has more side-effects and potential complications than other types of PPH treatment, such as Flolan and Remodulin (two of the other most common types of PPH treatment), it is the preferred type for many because of its convenience in that it can be taken orally.

Patients with primary pulmonary hypertension may wish to talk to their doctors about different types of PPH treatment, including Tracleer treatment. It is available by prescription only and should only be taken under a doctor’s advice and directions.

If you have pulmonary hypertension with an unknown cause, and you believe you may have developed primary pulmonary hypertension because of your use of the anti-obesity, weight-loss pill Fen-Phen, then in addition to asking your doctor about Tracleer treatment, it is recommended you seek the legal counsel from a reputable law firm or PPH attorney specializing in Fen-Phen litigation cases. You may qualify for compensation.

Originally posted 2009-11-11 07:24:17. Republished by Old Post Promoter