Blood Pressure Medication Take Morning Or Night

If you've been told that you have high blood pressure, you're not alone. Far from it, actually.

Almost 1 in 4 Canadian adults are affected by high blood pressure (or hypertension), and almost half of them don't have it well controlled.

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With high blood pressure, the force of blood flowing through your blood vessels is consistently too high. When it goes undiagnosed and/or untreated, high blood pressure can dramatically increase your risk for heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, and vision problems by damaging blood vessels.

Early diagnosis and treatment is vital

The force of high blood pressure damages the lining of the arteries, which allows "bad" low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol plaques to set up camp, potentially blocking blood flow and causing a heart attack or stroke. The more plaque and damage, the narrower the insides of the arteries.

You can't feel high blood pressure—so the only way to know you have it is to get tested. This information will give you a running start against the consequences of uncontrolled high blood pressure.

"We need to be hyper-vigilant about high blood pressure because it's a silent killer," says Mike Farbaniec, a cardiologist at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania. "Make sure you see your doctor when you are in your 30s to 50s. If you hit prevention hard then, you are less likely to be sick in your 60s and 70s."

(Related: Can Anxiety Cause High Blood Pressure?)

High blood pressure risks

Advancing age and a family history of heart disease increase your chances of developing high blood pressure. Other risks include eating an unhealthy diet that contains lots of salt, not exercising regularly, smoking, and drinking too much alcohol.

Obesity and diabetes also raise your risk of developing high blood pressure.

How high is too high?

Systolic blood pressure is the upper number in a blood pressure measurement. It indicates how much pressure your blood is exerting against your artery walls when your heart beats. Diastolic pressure, the lower number, shows how much pressure your blood is exerting against your artery walls when your heart is resting between beats.

A blood pressure reading of less than 120/80 mm Hg is considered normal. High blood pressure is defined as 130/80 mm Hg or higher. But if your blood pressure is somewhere in between, it's considered "elevated." There are dangers of even slightly high blood pressure.

Your doctor should check your blood pressure during your well visits. But these numbers aren't always telltale as some people develop what's known as white coat hypertension, or higher-than-normal blood pressure at the doctor's office because of stress and anxiety.

This is why most physicians will recommend home blood pressure monitoring if you have been diagnosed with hypertension or have risk factors for it, says Farbaniec. "I ask patients to find a cuff and we compare [the measurements taken at home] with ours in office," he says. "If they match, that's great."

Measuring blood pressure at home is empowering, he adds. "When you are in charge of your own screening, you want to do better. It's highly motivating."

Keep track of your readings via an app or with a pen and paper. And discuss them with your doctor at your follow-up visits.

(Related: Can Stress Cause High Blood Pressure? What Heart Doctors Need You to Know)

You have high blood pressure. Now what?

Gallery: Why Am I Spotting? (Best Health)

What is spotting?

According to The Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada, nearly every woman will experience spotting at some point in her life. But how do you know if your spotting is cause for concern—and how to stop it?

Many things can cause spotting, says Dr. Dustin Costescu, an obstetrician and gynecologist at Hamilton Health Sciences and assistant professor in family planning at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ont. In medical terms, he says, spotting is defined as "bleeding that does not require sanitary protection." But spotting can take on different forms. "The first and obvious one is spots of blood with wiping or noticed on sanitary protection or underwear," says Costescu. "Sometimes spotting results in brown discharge (think old blood plus normal mucus production), which can be confused for infection, but is usually not associated with any odour or other symptoms."

Below, Costescu shares the possible reasons you're spotting, and what's so "normal" about it.

(Related: 12 Period Mistakes You're Making Every Month)

It's your IUD

The gynecologist says: "Hormonal IUDs, like Mirena, Jaydess, or the newest product in Canada called Kyleena (a low-dose hormonal IUD that can be used for five years) control bleeding in part by thinning the lining of the uterus. Progestins keep the lining of the uterus from growing out of control — but it can do too good a job, so the lining is a bit unstable and sheds. This can translate to a period that is so light it is perceived as spotting. Tracking your cycle will help. For some women, particularly those who have heavy flow prior to an IUD, they will experience irregular spotting instead of the heavy period, or spotting with lighter flow. Women should weigh the pros and cons of spotting against what periods were like before – especially if they were heavy or painful."

(Related: 10 Doctor-Recommended Ways to Make Getting an IUD Less Painful)

It's all the exercise you're doing

The gynecologist says: "Women who spot after intercourse or intense exercise may do so simply because the friction of the cervix is causing some irritation. Women who are taking up new rigorous exercise routines and who lose weight rapidly may also experience spotting owing to changes in hormones. Burning fat cells and weight loss can release estrogens into the body. And, because fat cells help produce some sex hormones, sustained weight loss can cause a lower level of estrogen in the body. If a woman loses too much weight, her periods may stop and spotting may result. If that's the case, yo should visit your doctor."

(Related: Demonizing Food? It's a Sign of Orthorexia)

You're stressed

The gynecologist says: "Stress plays a complex role in spotting and cycle changes. Likely the increase in cortisol affects the body's signaling system and the change in hormones causes spotting to occur."

(Related: A Bath Is the Stress-Melter You Need Right Now)

You have ectropion or polyps

The gynecologist says: "If you have significant or bothersome spotting, a trip to the doctor is warranted. Polyps are small growths on the cervix that can bleed on contact. They are benign but can be removed if bothersome. Ectropion is a normal condition where the glandular cells – the ones that look like the lining of the uterus – are prominent on the cervix. This can bleed easily if poked. In some [medical] centres, liquid nitrogen can be used to freeze the ectropion to prevent further bleeding."

(Related: Everything You Need to Know About Vaginal Discharge)

Your levels of progesterone and estrogen are off balance

The gynecologist says: "Spotting can be a sign that hormone levels are off, but in most cases. It is normal for a small amount of spotting around ovulation – two weeks before a period is due – related to hormone changes. Women who find spotting to be a nuisance can talk to their doctor about options. The most common option is to try a birth control pill, which is progestin-dominant and will help stabilize the lining.mNumerous studies have looked at supplements that can help control [hormone-related] spotting. Unfortunately, while small studies show promise, most large scale studies do not show benefit for vitamin B supplementation, vitamin C or iron."

(Related: Are Your Hormones Out of Control? Here's How to Deal)

It's your birth control pills

You're pregnant

The gynecologist says: "Some women may experience an 'implantation bleed' once a pregnancy has taken hold. Any irregular period or bleeding warrants a pregnancy test. Implantation bleeds are also a common culprit when a woman finds out she is further along in her pregnancy than expected – that bleed can be confused for a period."

(Related: What You Need to Know if You're Delaying Pregnancy During Covid)

You're close to menopause

The gynecologist says: "Menopause is a time of transition, which can start five to 10 years prior to periods stopping. Some women experience spotting because they aren't releasing an egg each month, and so the body isn't going to have a normal period. Other women, as their hormone levels drop, may experience very light flow or spotting, as the lining of the uterus becomes dormant. In a healthy young woman, spotting is not a warning sign of menopause."

(Related: 9 Questions About Menopause You've Been too Embarrassed to Ask)

So, now what?

"If spotting is rare, and there are no red flags, then a visit to the doctor is probably not necessary," says Costescu. "The occasional irregular period or episode of spotting is normal — nut there are a few conditions associated with spotting that your doctor will want to rule out if you go."

His advice? Look for patterns — when it happens and at what point in the cycle it occurs. Make note if you changed sexual partners, are taking new medication, or anything else in your lifestyle that is different and might affect what's going on down there. (Learn more about why you should be tracking your periods.)

In summary:

In most cases, the occasional episode of spotting is nothing to worry about.
It is normal for some women to experience spotting at the beginning or tail end of a period.
Spotting is common in the first few months of use of any birth control, including pills and IUDs.
Beware of spotting that can be a warning sign for an STD, cervical cancer (spotting comes with pain), an infection (accompanied with fever or discharge), pregnancy, miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.
Smoking increases the rate of spotting.

Next: We Tried Knix's Super Leakproof Period Underwear

10/10 SLIDES

If you have high blood pressure, lifestyle changes are in order, says Luke Laffin, cardiologist at the Cleveland Clinic. This starts with eating a heart-healthy diet that is low in salt, engaging in regular physical activity, and losing weight if necessary.

Diet

Many heart doctors recommend the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan, which is designed to lower blood pressure. In addition to limiting sodium, it also calls for cutting back on red meat and added sugar.

Activity

Exercise is also important. Aim for at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity physical activity. All exercise is good, of course, but moderate aerobic activity—like brisk walking, jogging, or using an elliptical trainer—is best for lowering blood pressure, says Laffin.

Weight

"Losing weight is one of the best things you can do for high blood pressure, and the more weight you lose, the greater the decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure," says Farbaniec.

Other lifestyle changes

"Smoking is the biggest risk for high blood pressure, stroke, and heart attack," he adds. If you smoke, quit.

As for alcohol, moderation is key, says Farbaniec. This means no more than two drinks a day for men and no more than one a day for women.

Anxiety and stress can also increase blood pressure. Taking steps to change how you cope with stress will benefit your blood pressure, Farbaniec says. When you're stressed out, you're less likely to do the things you need to do to stay healthy, such as eat right and exercise, and more likely to overdo it with alcohol, he says.

"Take 10 minutes of quiet time each day and pay attention to your breath or meditate," he suggests. "This can dramatically decrease blood pressure over time." There are apps available that can help you learn stress-reduction techniques such as mindfulness or meditation.

(Related: 3 Stretches That Are Good For Your Heart)

High blood pressure medication

Don't beat yourself up if lifestyle changes alone don't get your blood pressure down to where it should be, Laffin says.

"Lifestyle changes only go so far, especially if your blood pressure is extremely high," he says. "After a one- to three-month trial of lifestyle modifications, your doctor may consider adding medication, especially if you have other risk factors for heart disease or a family history of heart disease."

There are many types of medication that can be used alone or in combination to treat high blood pressure. Each has risks and benefits that must be discussed with your doctor based on your health status. In general, side effects of blood pressure medicines may include cough, diarrhea or constipation, dizziness, fatigue, and/or headache.

Common blood pressure-lowering medications include:

Diuretics. Commonly known as "water pills," diuretics get rid of excess salt and water in your body to reduce blood pressure.
Beta-blockers. This class of drugs decreases your heart's rate, workload, and output of blood, which in turn lowers blood pressure.
ACE inhibitors. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors help the body produce less angiotensin, a chemical that causes arteries to become narrow. That helps your blood vessels relax and open up, which, in turn, lowers blood pressure.
Angiotensin II receptor blockers. These medications block the effects of angiotensin, which causes the arteries to become narrow.
Renin inhibitors. These drugs block the enzyme renin from triggering a process that helps regulate blood pressure. As a result, blood vessels relax and widen, making it easier for blood to flow through the vessels, which lowers blood pressure.
Calcium channel blockers. These drugs relax and open up narrowed blood vessels, reduce heart rate, and lower blood pressure.
Alpha blockers. These drugs work by relaxing the muscle tone of the walls of your arteries so that they are more open.
Alpha-2 receptor agonists. These drugs reduce blood pressure by decreasing the activity of the sympathetic nervous system, which releases adrenaline and cortisol, stress hormones that increase heart rate and blood pressure.
Central agonists. These blood-pressure-lowering medications help decrease the blood vessels' ability to contract and tighten.
Peripheral adrenergic inhibitors. These drugs lower blood pressure by blocking chemicals in the brain that instruct blood vessels to constrict. These are mainly used when other blood pressure-lowering drugs don't work.
Vasodilators. These drugs cause the muscle in the walls of the blood vessels to relax so blood flow is smoother.

(Related: 6 Things You Probably Don't Know About Heart Health)

High blood pressure symptoms

While high blood pressure usually does not cause symptoms, some people may experience headaches, nose bleeds, and anxiety when their numbers are high, Laffin says. "We have to really tease out if it's a symptom causing blood pressure elevation or blood pressure elevation causing symptoms," he says.

For example, "a headache can raise your blood pressure because your body responds to pain by elevating blood pressure," he says. High blood pressure can also cause a headache.

Some symptoms such as chest pain, back pain, or vision changes, when they occur with a blood pressure of 180/120 mm Hg or higher, may point to a hypertensive emergency. These are signs of end-organ damage and you should call 911 or get to the emergency room immediately, the American Heart Association warns.

A high blood pressure crisis may cause other symptoms too, including:

Severe headache
Shortness of breath
Nosebleeds
Anxiety

The last word

High blood pressure increases risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney, and vision problems if it is left untreated. Knowledge is power when it comes to high blood pressure. Knowing your numbers and taking the necessary steps to get them where they need to be is the best way to protect your health.

Next: 23 Foods That Help Lower High Blood Pressure

The post High Blood Pressure: Symptoms, Treatments, and Causes appeared first on Best Health Magazine Canada.

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Source: https://www.msn.com/en-ca/health/wellness/high-blood-pressure-symptoms-treatments-and-causes/ar-BB1csKLB?li=BB15ISWR

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