Other factors include a history of alcohol and tobacco use, and dietary assessment including saturated fat and caffeine. Also certain prescribed and over-the-counter medications, herbal remedies, and illicit drugs may be factors, as well as psychosocial and environmental factors such as family situation, employment status, working conditions, and educational levels (Guidelines). Aside from routine physical examinations, laboratory tests, such as urinalysis, blood cell count and blood chemistry may be used in diagnostic procedure (Guidelines).

Hypertension may be treated with drugs including diuretics, such as thiazide derivatives; vasodilators, such as hydralazine and prazosin; sympathetic nervous system depressants, such as rauwolfia alkaloids; sympathetic nervous system inhibitors such as guanethidine and methyldopa and ganglionic blocking agents, such as clonidine and propranolol (Hypertension). Individuals with high blood pressure should exercise regularly, follow a low-sodium, low-saturated fat diet, avoid stress, get adequate rest, and lower calorie intake to control obesity (Hypertension).

Nutritional management of hypertension has moved beyond simply restricting sodium intake and now includes the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) (Gay). This includes a diet high in fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, fish, poultry, and low-fat dairy products (Gay). This new and effective whole-food approach diet results in a diet that is high...

Christopher Gay reports in the September 2003 issue of American Family Physician that "among patients on the DASH diet at the lowest sodium intake levels, the mean decrease in systolic blood pressure was 8.9mm Hg, when compared with the high-sodium phase of the diet" (Gay). While the DASH diet is not a weight-loss plan, it can be easily adapted for patients who need to reduce calories (Gay).
Hypertension accounts for the most common problem for which patients visit physicians. Studies indicate that more than 50% of persons older than 65 years have hypertension (Gay). During the last three decades, improved control of this condition has led to reductions of roughly 60% in stroke-related deaths and 53% in deaths from ischemic heart disease (Gay). Yet, it is estimated that only 70% of individuals with hypertension are aware that they have this condition. Moreover, less than 60% are receiving treatment, and only 34% have their hypertension under adequate control (Gay).

Works Cited

Gay, Christopher. "New developments in the management of hypertension."

American Family Physician. September 1, 2003. Retrieved November 16, 2006 from HighBeam Research Library.

Hypertension." The Mosby Medical Encyclopedia.1996. Retrieved November 16, 2006 from HighBeam Research Library.

Selected Guidelines: Featured CME Topic: Hypertension." Southern Medical Journal.

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