| Hypertension is increasing among America's | | | | the family will have a history of hypertension. |
| population. Researchers suggest between 25-33 | | | | In contrast, pregnancies are often plagued by |
| percent of citizens have reason to be very | | | | increased blood pressure. Because of potential side |
| concerned with checking/regulating their blood | | | | effects to the unborn child, doctors generally |
| pressure. If hypertension is diagnosed, the family | | | | avoid prescribing high blood pressure medicine. If |
| physician will probably suggest several lifestyle | | | | the baby is close enough to term, the doctor |
| changes, to ascertain whether the problem can be | | | | may opt to perform a caesarian, and take the |
| solved without more invasive treatment. | | | | baby early. Mothers have been known to stroke |
| However, many people will require one or more | | | | out before the baby is born, or have added |
| high blood pressure medicines, to prevent | | | | complications during delivery. Changes are, once |
| dangerous health issues, in addition to encouraging | | | | the pregnancy ends, the blood pressure will return |
| healthier choices. | | | | to safe pre-pregnancy levels. |
| Among the plethora of medicines, the more | | | | If anyone's blood pressure remains at |
| common antihypertensive drugs used are ACE | | | | unacceptably high levels, the potential for |
| inhibitors. "These drugs prevent your blood | | | | life-threatening complications increase. In addition |
| vessels from constricting by blocking your body | | | | to heat attacks and strokes, individuals suffering |
| from making angiotensin II. Angiotensin II is a | | | | from high blood pressure can also have damaged |
| chemical that constricts blood vessels". If a | | | | kidneys or eyes. Unbelievably, the pressure may |
| sufferer of high blood pressure has already | | | | eventually cause renal failure, leading to dialysis |
| adjusted his/her lifestyle and ACE inhibitors are | | | | and transplants. "Your kidneys are responsible for |
| required, the medicine will be a lifelong addition to | | | | filtering and excreting excess fluid and waste |
| the daily regiment. | | | | from your blood - processes that are highly |
| An alternative to ACE inhibitors may be another | | | | dependent on the smooth operation of your blood |
| high blood pressure medicine called calcium channel | | | | vessels" (Mayo Clinic Staff). In addition, high blood |
| blockers. "These open up the blood vessels | | | | pressure can be linked to vision problems. In some |
| making it easier for the heart to work" (Medicines | | | | cases, the patient will go completely blind. Excess |
| for High Blood Pressure). Calcium channel blockers | | | | pressure can damage the delicate vessels leading |
| also prevent the vessels from constricting. | | | | to the retina. |
| However, only a doctor can determine the right | | | | In conclusion, do not take any chances. A check |
| medicines for his/her patients. | | | | only takes a minute, and that particular minute |
| Anyone can suffer from hypertension, and require | | | | can save a life. Do not let the disease dictate the |
| permanent, or temporary, treatment. However, | | | | health of the entire body. If the doctor prescribes |
| the majority of patients are either elderly or | | | | medicine, to prevent devastating consequences, |
| pregnant. For the individuals developing the disease | | | | take it. With regular checks, a little problem can be |
| in later years, daily medications are likely | | | | curtailed, before it becomes a matter of life and |
| necessary for the remainder of life. Oftentimes, | | | | death. |