I am hypertensive, but I am remedying

Hypertension is known to increase with age, but it is also more common in people with black skin who have migrated to "rich" countries, and in families of hypertensives (genetic origin). If there is nothing against these factors, other elements favor it with, first, excessive consumption of salt (especially if it began in childhood), but also alcohol and tobacco. Not to mention overweight and a fortiori obesity, also involved. Finally, there are "critical" moments in women's lives: taking contraception, pregnancy, and finally, menopause and then post-menopause, when the protective effect of natural estrogens stops. A hormonal upheaval in which the occurrence of hypertension occurs frequently, with a rise in systolic pressure above 140 mmHg (or 14).

Mandatory screening for all

Of course, some signs - headaches, tinnitus, flickering in the eyes or nosebleeds - can alert. But most often, hypertension is not accompanied by any symptoms. That's why only measuring the voltage with an electronic or manual blood pressure monitor is reliable. The High Authority for Health (HAS) recommends applying the "rule of 3": 3 consecutive measures in the morning between the rising and the breakfast a few minutes apart, 3 measures in the evening between dinner and bedtime, to repeat 3 days in a row. Why ? Because self-measurement must be performed in the best resting conditions of the cardiovascular system, outside periods during which one exercises, one smokes, one is stressed or disturbed by a noisy environment. The ideal is therefore to rent a blood pressure monitor approved by your pharmacist, and to perform these checks in a calm, resting and sitting position.

Long-term treatments

There are eight major families of hypertension drugs with different and sometimes complementary modes of action. But all have the same goal: to allow better functioning of the arteries, heart and kidneys (to promote the elimination of salt in the urine). The doctors prescribe them on a case by case basis and according to the examinations carried out. Diuretics release salt and reduce the volume of blood circulating in the arteries. Beta-blockers dilate the arteries and lower the heart rate. Calcium antagonists release arteries. Inhibitors of the converting enzyme decrease the contraction of the vessels. Angiotensin receptor antagonists relax the arteries. Central antihypertensives regulate blood pressure. Alpha-blockers dilate the arteries. And finally, the inhibitors of renin block this substance secreted by the kidneys that promotes contraction of the arteries. Treatments to be made with great regularity to be able to measure the effects as quickly as possible.

Gym and diet, the duo of shock

Sport has proved its effectiveness in regulating tension. In addition to medications, a physical expenditure is essential in the hypertensive, with activities of light intensity (walking, gardening, cleaning, stretching) at first, then average after a fortnight of treatment (active walking, cycling , swim, dance, gym ... at the rate of forty-five minutes 2 times / week), or high if the doctor allows them (indoor gym, jogging, exercise bike ... thirty minutes minimum 3 times / week).

Specialists also suggest the "Dash Diet" as a "new way of eating". The main asset of this program low in saturated fats, rich in fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products: everyone can follow it, hypertensive or not, for the simple purpose of adopting, over a specific period, a healthy and balanced diet. With regard to the lowering of the tension, its advantages are undeniable, especially in case of low hypertension since Dash, combined with a little physical exercise, makes it possible to avoid the drugs! Finally, drastically reducing sugar, saturated fat and salt, we inevitably find a loss of weight, a drop in cholesterol and blood sugar, and therefore a regulated tension.

Thank you to the French Committee for the fight against high blood pressure (comitehta.org) and the French Federation of Cardiology (fedecardio.org).

Read also:

⋙ How to choose your blood pressure monitor to measure your blood pressure? The advice of the specialist

⋙ Hypertension: How to control your own tension at home?

⋙ Diet Dash: reduce salt to lose weight