Maryland's Health Matters - Midtown - Fall 2016 - 9


TAKE CONTROL
hypertension (see sidebar at right), but

NUDGE YOUR NUMBERS

these changes alone may not get your

A healthy lifestyle can keep blood pressure low, and even people

Lifestyle changes can help control

numbers low enough, especially if,
like Coates, the condition runs in your
family. Other factors that can make
hypertension more likely for you are:
■ Your age-your risk increases as you

with low blood pressure levels can help keep hypertension from
developing in the future with good habits. Russell Lewis, MD, a family
practice physician at the University of Maryland Community Medical
Group, recommends:
Good food choices. Follow a

membership," Dr. Lewis says.

low-sodium diet, steering clear

"And if you can't exercise in one

blood pressure until age 65, then

of processed and salty foods.

big chunk, you can break it into 15

women take the lead

Focus on fruits, vegetables and

minutes of exercise twice a day."

whole grains such as whole-

Stress reduction. Set aside

at higher-than-average risk for high

wheat bread and brown rice.

time to relax and do the things

blood pressure

Studies have found that the

you enjoy.

■ Being overweight or obese

DASH (Dietary Approach to

Staying smoke-free. If you

■ Smoking

Stop Hypertension) diet helps

smoke, talk to your doctor

■ Having diabetes, high cholesterol

lower high blood pressure.

about ways you can work

Regular exercise. Even some-

toward quitting.

thing as simple as walking for

Limiting alcohol. If you drink,

30 minutes a day can help.

keep it to one drink a day for

"You don't have to get a gym

women and two a day for men.

get older
■ Gender-men are more prone to high

■ Your race-African-Americans are

levels or sleep apnea
■ Being physically inactive
Your doctor can talk to you about
how various blood pressure medications
work and what their side effects are.
Their effectiveness can vary in different
people, so if you don't get good control
right away, don't give up. As Coates can
attest, it can take a few tries to get the
right medications at the right dosages.

MEDICATIONS TO REDUCE
BLOOD PRESSURE
The main medications for reducing
blood pressure include:
■ Diuretics, also called water pills,
which cause you to get rid of water
and salt in your body and are often
the first drugs doctors try
■ Beta blockers, which work against
adrenaline and make it easier for your
heart to pump
■ ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme)
inhibitors and angiotensin-receptor
blockers (ARBs), which help keep
THINKSTOCK

arteries from narrowing
■ Calcium-channel blockers, which
widen blood vessels and decrease the
heart's contractions 

umm.edu/midtown | Fall 2016

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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Maryland's Health Matters - Midtown - Fall 2016
