Hypertension is a chronic disease characterized by an elevated blood pressure of more than 140 for systolic blood pressure and/or more than 90 for diastolic blood pressure. Hypertension is similar to diabetes in the sense that both of them are chronic diseases and will never achieve a cure. Chronic disease means a disease that lasts for so many years and even for a lifetime. Micardis is an anti-hypertensive medication. Micardis is the treatment for hypertension beyond the normal range. Micardis will not affect your heart rate. Micardis effects on heart rate are mostly positive instead of negative.
There are a few types of hypertension. They are:
1- Primary hypertension
The causes are unknown but strongly associated with a family history of hypertension and high salt intake.
2- Secondary hypertension
This type of hypertension has so many causes. The causes are polycystic kidney disease, obstructive sleep apnoea, pregnancy, the use of birth control pills, and tumours of the adrenal glands.
There are a few types of anti-hypertensive. They are:
1- Angiotensin receptor blocker such as Micardis
2- Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor
3- Calcium channel blocker
4- B-blocker
Some patients with hypertension will take a single anti-hypertensive. Some will need more depending on their condition and your doctor will discuss with you the suitable medications regimens.
Like other diseases, prevention is always better than cure. You must consume a low salt diet, avoid processed food, do not take any fast food, and stop smoking. You must exercise regularly and live a stress-free life.
Let’s say if you are recently diagnosed with hypertension, lifestyle modifications will be the desired and preferred initial intervention by doctors before start prescribing medications for you. The lifestyle modifications are:
1- Exercise
You should exercise at least three times every seven days. Every session should last for a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercises. You can do any physical activities like swimming, jogging, skipping, yoga, or any other exercise of your choice.
2- Well-balanced and healthy diet
Consume a healthy and balanced diet that consists of a sufficient amount of vegetables, fruits, protein, and carbohydrates. You can just follow the recommendation by the ministry of health by consuming quarter a plate of protein, quarter a plate of carbohydrates, and half a plate of vegetables and fruits. Change the method of preparing food from frying to boiling, stewing, or grilling.
3- Low salt diet
Put a very minimal amount of salt in your food. This is easier to be done if you cook on your own. Do not use any artificial seasonings as they usually contain a high amount of salt and sugar.
4- Live a stress-free life
You must learn how to manage your stress. There are so many ways in managing your stress like venting out your problem to someone, go for counselling, do a deep breathing technique, go for exercise and learn the best way to cope with your stress.
Micardis also has side effects but the benefits always outweigh the risk. Doctors will always monitor your health and how are you doing with Micardis. The side effects are:
1- Diarrhoea
2- Back pain
3- Upper respiratory tract infections and few more which are less frequent
