As a general rule, ask your doctor or pharmacist before before taking any medication. The following medicines are best avoided or should be used under medical supervision:- Stimulants and ~stay -awake~ products like caffeine, Certain cold and flu preparat

There is considerable evidence linking stress and the development of hypertension. Stress is defined in Dorland`s Medical Dictionary as: ~The sum of the biological reactions to an adverse stimulus, physical, mental, or emotional, internal or external, tha

All adults should have annual blood pressure checks especially if they have stressful occupations of a family history of hypertension. All diagnosed hypertensive patients should regular blood checks as directed by their doctor. If you have stage 3 or 4 hypertension, your doctor will probably request a visit every 1-2 weeks until your blood pressure has stabilised. If you have stage 1 or 2 hypertension, you will probably be seen at 1 to 3 month intervals until your BP is lower that 140/90. Thereafter, you will need to see your doctor once a year or more frequently if you are elderly or if there are complications. Your doctor may change your medication if you are not well controlled. Home blood pressure monitoring may be helpful in certain circumstances. It is however important that the device is used correctly to avoid incorrect readings.

Lose weight - Dietary modifications should include eating more vegetables, whole grain or fruit, lean meat and fish and less fat. Limit your salt intake - Use less salt in cooking and avoid foods high in sodium e.g. ham, bacon, tongue, corned beef, salami

Stage 1 hypertension where there is no organ damage, is usually managed by lifestyle modification and medication may not be necessary. When hypertension is due to reversible causes such as alcohol abuse, smoking, obesity, thyroid hormone imbalances, pregnancy, primary kidney disease and medication effects, drug therapy may be necessary temporarily until the cause is resolved. Lifelong medication is generally necessary in other cases of hypertension. Lifestyle modifications (non-pharmacological treatment) are necessary even for patients who are taking antihypertensive medication.

In developed societies, blood pressure tends to rise with age. This tendency is relatively uncommon in primitive communities who have not been touched by the industrial way of life. It is thought that the blood pressure starts to rise when people adopt a more `developed` lifestyle, resulting in high stress levels and modern diets high in salt and fat and low in fiber.More..

When blood pressure is raised, a patient is said to have high blood pressure or `hypertension`. This means that the blood that circulates through the arteries at a higher than normal pressure. This increases the stresses on the arterial walls leading to weakening and damage of the arteries. High blood pressure is an urgent early warning sign of disease and if not treated may lead to complications or even death.More..