Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a condition where blood presses forcefully against artery walls in the body. If left untreated, hypertension can cause heart attack and stroke. The best sources of hypertension support can vary from person to person. Family can be a powerful source of hypertension support, as can a helpful physician, or a friend. The American Heart Association also offers support for high blood pressure and hypertension.
There are several different ways to treat hypertension, and a physician can be supportive in helping someone choose the right treatment. Lifestyle changes such as exercise and healthy eating can go a long way toward treating high blood pressure, and a physician can make suggestions about nutrition and how to stay motivated to exercise. A physician may also prescribe certain medications, such as diuretics or beta blockers, as additional hypertension support.
Friends and family can be another source of hypertension support. They can encourage a person with hypertension to make healthy lifestyle changes and help monitor the condition to make sure it is improving. Reducing stress is another way friends and family can intervene, because high stress levels can contribute to or worsen high blood pressure. Exercise can be much easier to do regularly if a friend or family member is involved, so exercising together is another way someone can provide hypertension support.
Smoking can cause or worsen hypertension, so quitting smoking is an important lifestyle change to make. Organizations that help people quit smoking, such as Nicotine Anonymous, can be a source of hypertension support. Friends, family, and a physician can also provide support as a person changes his or her smoking habits. A physician can also help by recommending nicotine gum or patches to combat nicotine cravings.
The American Heart Association and other health organizations offer a variety of resources on getting healthy. They can offer hypertension support for people trying to exercise regularly, as well as nutritional information for better eating. Often, health organizations have local chapters with support groups and other events.
Adequate support for lifestyle changes and medication can make a huge difference in the hypertension prognosis. If hypertension is left untreated, it can lead to serious medical problems, so it is important to be proactive in dealing with high blood pressure. Monitoring high blood pressure and hypertension is another part of the management of this disease, and physicians can offer hypertension support by keeping an eye on blood pressure.
