When to take hypertension medication... Good foods vs. bad foods

Hypertension is a condition where blood pressure remains consistently high. It is defined as a systolic blood pressure of 140 mmHg or higher, or a diastolic blood pressure of 90 mmHg or higher. Hypertension is difficult to naturally disappear or be cured completely, so most patients undergo medication treatment. If blood pressure is not properly controlled, complications can occur in the heart, brain, and kidneys, so blood pressure should be checked and managed regularly.

 

 

According to data from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, hypertension medications regulate blood pressure through diuretic action (promoting fluid excretion), sympathetic nervous system blockade (blocking neurotransmitters that cause blood vessel constriction and increased heart rate), calcium channel blockade (blocking calcium channels in cardiac cell membranes to dilate blood vessels), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition (suppressing the production of vasoconstrictive substances), and angiotensin II receptor blockade.

 

When experiencing side effects after taking medication, consult with a doctor thoroughly before adjusting the dosage or changing the ingredients. Calcium channel blockers can cause swelling or facial flushing, ACE inhibitors may induce dry cough, and angiotensin II receptor blockers can lead to indigestion, diarrhea, or abdominal pain.

 

Who should be especially careful when taking hypertension medication?

 

During the first 3 to 4 months after starting blood pressure medication, it is advisable to regularly consult with your doctor to monitor the medication's effects and side effects. Take the medication at the scheduled times, and if the scheduled time has passed, take it immediately.

 

If a significant amount of time has passed and it is closer to the next scheduled dose, take the medication at the next scheduled time. Do not take a double dose all at once. If you miss a dose, only take one dose when you remember.

 

Diuretic-based antihypertensive medications may interfere with sleep due to their diuretic effect, so it is better to take them at a time when going to the bathroom is convenient rather than in the evening. Pregnant women are prohibited from taking calcium channel blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and angiotensin II receptor blockers, so in case of hypertension, they should consult a doctor and take medication selectively.

 

Patients with vascular edema should not take angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers. Patients with asthma or severe bradycardia should avoid taking beta-blockers among sympatholytic agents, and those with electrolyte imbalances such as hypokalemia or gout need to be cautious when taking diuretics or antihypertensive medications. Recently, combination drugs composed of multiple ingredients have been developed for patients whose blood pressure cannot be controlled with a single medication.

 

Consider the interactions between hypertension medication and food.

 

According to the American health and medical media 'Healthline,' when taking hypertension medication, interactions with food should also be considered. Basically, foods high in salt can raise blood pressure, so salt intake should be reduced.

 

Diuretic antihypertensive medications such as 'hydrochlorothiazide' and 'furosemide' can cause hypokalemia, so patients taking these medications should consume potassium-rich fruits like oranges, bananas, and raisins, as well as green and yellow vegetables such as carrots and spinach.

 

When taking medications such as amlodipine that block calcium channels, you should not consume grapefruit. Grapefruit can enhance the calcium channel blocking effect, which may cause blood pressure to drop excessively. Do not drink grapefruit or grapefruit juice within one hour before or two hours after taking the medication.

 

In order to maintain healthy blood vessels, it is necessary to adopt proper lifestyle habits such as exercising for at least 30 minutes daily, eating lightly, maintaining an appropriate weight, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol intake, managing stress, and regularly monitoring blood pressure.

 

Kwon Soon-il Reporter (kstt77@kormedi.com)

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I have been taking hypertension medication for fifteen years.

According to the doctor, it is the weakest medication.

The cholesterol level was normal in the health checkup.

When asked what happens if you stop taking the medication, the weight increases by 20 kg.

They told me to lose weight.

Still far and challenging to lose 10kg.

Foods that are good and bad for high blood pressure due to their length

I am trying to develop a habit of selective eating.