Hypertension

Hypertension: a silent condition

A diagnosis of hypertension, or high blood pressure, may come as a surprise since it often does not have any obvious symptoms. This is why practically every doctor visit starts with a blood pressure reading. Hypertension happens when the force of blood pushing against blood vessel walls is too high. This makes the heart work harder to move blood through the body. There are many risk factors for developing high blood pressure. Some cannot be changed such as advancing age and family history. Other risk factors can be helped however as they are tied to lifestyle. Lowering stress levels, reducing salt intake, getting more physical activity, quitting smoking, and losing weight are all changes that can help reduce the risk of developing the condition as well as managing it after onset. If untreated or not managed, hypertension can lead to serious cardiac issues such as heart failure, a heart attack, or a stroke. This is why once a person has consistently high readings (130/80 mm Hg or higher), a plan of care is initiated.

Understanding your options

Though it may be fairly upsetting to receive the diagnosis, hypertension is one of the most common conditions in the US. In fact, nearly half of all adults, about 120 million, in the US have been diagnosed with hypertension. As with many chronic illnesses, management of hypertension lies primarily with choosing to make different lifestyle decisions. However, there are many different types of medicines called antihypertensives that are prescribed to help lower blood pressure. ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, and diuretics are three common classes of antihypertensives. These work in different ways to achieve results such as a lower heart rate, less forceful heartbeat, and the widening of blood vessels. A doctor will determine what is the best approach based on individual patient needs. Though emotionally it can be hard to live with concern about future health complications, it is realistic to live a full life through commitment to one's treatment plan.

Advances in treatment

Treatment of hypertension usually consists of recommended lifestyle changes along with some form of prescription medicine. Diuretic drugs are prescribed to remove excess sodium and water from the body in order to lessen blood volume. ACE Inhibitors and Calcium Channel Blockers are used to help blood vessels relax when they are narrowed and not efficient. These classes of drugs are mature and well-known however, thanks to efforts of clinical researchers, promising novel therapies are emerging. For example, aprocitentan, a once-daily oral medication recently approved by the FDA, blocks a hormone known to constrict blood vessels. Other hormonal targets are being evaluated in clinical trials along with other classes of drugs aiming to cause fewer side effects in patients as compared with standard medicines.

You can get involved

If you are at risk for hypertension or interested in what investigative treatments may be an option for treating your existing cardiac hypertension, sign-up with us today or use our trial search to see what clinical studies matching your profile may be available near your home.

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References

Mayo Clinic: Choosing blood pressure medicines. Updated August 17, 2023
American Heart Association: Facts about high blood pressure. Updated May 23, 2024
Cleveland Clinic: Hypertensive Heart Disease. Updated September 21, 2021