Articles Index
Symptoms of High Blood Pressure
The symptom profile of high blood pressure is unique because it tends to be insidious and gradual. There are important aspects of high blood pressure symptoms with which you need to be familiar. This guide will describe what to watch for, and explain when a visit to the doctor is necessary
Diabetics: Treating High Blood Pressure
Effective blood pressure control is an important goal for diabetic patients. The dangers of high blood pressure in diabetics are so serious that some studies have been able to show that well-controlled blood pressure in diabetic patients makes a more powerful impact on long-term health than does tight blood sugar control. Learn how high blood pressure is treated in diabetic patients, and what to expect during the planning phase of a treatment program.
Diabetics and High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is a dangerous disease that becomes even more problematic in the setting of diabetes. Unfortunately, many people with diabetes are also affected by high blood pressure, and the two diseases commonly occur together. Learn the link between these important conditions, and why they tend to appear in the same patients.
Ayurvedic Treatments May be Contaminated with Toxic Metals
Ayurveda, a type of herbal medicine practiced in parts of India, uses various blends of herbs, vitamins, and minerals to treat a wide variety of ailments. Many companies – both online and offline – have capitalized on the renewed interest in “natural” medicine by selling “Ayurvedic Treatments.” A recent study, though, suggests that the products these companies are selling might be causing more harm than cure.
Should Women with Heart Disease Be Treated Differently?
As research into heart disease and high blood pressure progresses, scientists are uncovering more differences between how men and women are affected by these diseases. Gender differences appear to play important roles in everything from the risk of developing disease to what complications are most likely to occur. Increasingly, data shows that gender differences may also affect what treatment options are the most appropriate.
Antidepressants and Blood Pressure
Antidepressant drugs are an increasingly common treatment tool for a variety of mood and non-mood related conditions. These drugs work primarily by changing the levels of certain chemicals in the brain and nervous system. Some antidepressants have been linked to increases in blood pressure. Learn which drugs are known to raise blood pressure and what to do if you have high blood pressure and need to take an antidepressant medication.
Diuretics and Potassium
Diuretics are a cornerstone of high blood pressure treatment, used to treat most patients with elevated blood pressure. Diuretics can cause the level of potassium in your body to decrease, which can lead to other problems. Learn how diuretics influence the level of potassium in the body and what to do if your potassium is low after being prescribed diuretic therapy
Prescription Medications that Raise or Change Blood Pressure
Many prescription drugs can change blood pressure. It is more common for prescription drugs to raise blood pressure than to lower it, but both are possible. Learn which drugs most commonly cause blood pressure changes and how to work around these drugs, if necessary.
High Blood Pressure and Headaches
Frequent headache has long been considered a possible warning sign of high blood pressure. For decades, clinical observation has suggested that people with high blood pressure get headaches more often. Research from Norwegian scientists challenges this observation. Learn how blood pressure relates to the number - and severity - of headaches and what new research data could mean for you.
Pheochromocytoma and High Blood Pressure
Pheochromocytomas are a rare type of hormone secreting tumor that have dramatic effects on blood pressure. Though not usually cancerous, these tumors always need to be removed because of their effects on other body systems. Learn the symptoms caused by pheochromocytoma and how they are diagnosed and treated.
High Blood Pressure & Diabetes - A Positive Feedback Loop
Diabetes and high blood pressure form a self-reinforcing positive feedback loop. In this loop, each disease makes the other worse and contributes to the formation of complications. Learn how this amplification occurs, and why these two diseases feed one another.
Can Vitamin D Prevent High Blood Pressure?
Vitamin D may be linked to the development of high blood pressure, and some research suggests that giving vitamin D may be a way to lower blood pressure. Learn about this important vitamin, how it relates to blood pressure, and what steps you can take to ensure that you're getting the most benefit possible.
Renovascular Hypertension
Renovascular hypertension is a type of high blood pressure caused by decreased blood flow to the kidneys as a result of damaged blood vessels. The high blood pressure that results is a symptom of the underlying blood flow problem, which must ultimately be corrected. Learn how this condition is diagnosed and what steps are used to treat it.
What Is the Renin-Angiotensin System?
The renin-angiotensin system is an important regulator of long term blood pressure. Learn how the system functions and why understanding the various components is so important to understanding why high blood pressure exists.
The Effects of High Blood Pressure Medications on Asthma
It is not uncommon for people with high blood pressure to also have asthma, because these are both common dieseases. Treating high blood pressure in the setting of existing asthma, though, presents some challenges. Learn about treatment options for patients with both high blood pressure and asthma, and which medicines to avoid.
What Do My Child’s Blood Pressure Readings Mean?
While the official interpretation of your child's blood pressure is best left to health care professionals, this article will help you understand the basics of the process so you can check the values for yourself.
Treatment Options for Children with High Blood Pressure
Treating children with high blood pressure is a complicated and delicate process. Because of their unique characteristics, children are often first treated with a rigorous set of lifestyle modifications before considering drug therapy.
Erectile Dysfunction and Hypertension
Erectile dysfunction is a common and treatable condition that many men with high blood pressure experience. Learn how high blood pressure contributes to this disease and the steps you can take to restore your sexual health.
Does Caffeine Increase Blood Pressure?
Coffee and tea are the most popular beverages in the world, and both contain significant amounts of caffeine. Is this caffeine bad for you, and can it cause high blood pressure? Learn about the positive and negative blood pressure effects of caffeine and the coffee blood pressure connection.
Aspirin: Benefits, Risks, and Recommendations
Aspirin is common but powerful medicine for heart health. It provides significant protection against heart attacks and stroke, and has been shown to have additional benefits for women over 65. Find out more about the benefits of aspirin, and whether aspirin is right for you.
Orthostatic Hypotension
Orthostatic hypotension, sometimes called positional hypotension, can cause rapid decreases in blood pressure after standing up. Usually a problem that affects older patients, orthostatic hypotension has several possible causes and treatments.
High Blood Pressure in Teens
High blood pressure can affect people of any age, including children and teenagers. Diagnosing and managing the disease presents unique challenges in younger patients but also affords powerful opportunities to foster lifelong health. Learn about the causes of teenage high blood pressure and how to avoid it.
Blood Pressure After Menopause
With the onset of menopause, women are exposed to a unique set of risks and concerns that place them at greatly increased risk for developing high blood pressure. How does menopause affect heart health? How can you stay healthy after menopause?
Birth Control Pills & Blood Pressure
Oral contraceptive pills are a popular and generally safe method of avoiding unwanted pregnancy. Because these pills contain hormones that may affect your blood pressure, it is important to understand what effects you might expect and how to work with your doctor if complications develop
Can Magnesium Prevent High Blood Pressure?
Magnesium is a natural mineral that may offer some protection against developing high blood pressure. It is found in many foods, and eating a diet rich in magnesium is also healthy in other ways.