Moderate Essential Hypertension
Moderate Essential Hypertension: An Unsuspecting Risk Factor
If you've been diagnosed with moderate essential hypertension, you're not alone. It is estimated that approximately 25% of adults in the United States have this condition. Moderate essential hypertension or MEH is defined as high blood pressure between 140/90 to 159/99.
High blood pressure, if left unchecked, can lead to many serious health conditions such as stroke, heart attack, and kidney disease. This is why it's important to understand the risks associated with MEH and take steps to reduce your risk.
Causes of Moderate Essential Hypertension
The exact cause of MEH is not known. However, there are certain factors that may increase your risk of developing MEH, such as:
- Being overweight
- Lack of physical activity
- Poor diet that is high in salt and fat
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Age
- Family history of hypertension
How to Manage Moderate Essential Hypertension
Fortunately, there are lifestyle changes you can make to reduce your risk of complications from MEH. Your health care provider may recommend a combination of diet, exercise, weight loss, medications, and stress management that can help you lower your blood pressure and manage your condition. Here are some of the key steps you can take to lower your blood pressure:
- Eat a nutritious, low-salt diet that's rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats.
- Get regular exercise. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week.
- Maintain a healthy weight. Lose excess weight if necessary.
- Limit your alcohol intake to no more than one drink per day.
- Avoid smoking or using tobacco products.
- Manage stress with relaxation techniques.
If lifestyle changes are not enough to help control your blood pressure, your health care provider may suggest adding medications to your treatment plan. These medications can help further reduce your risk of developing serious complications from MEH.
Take the Next Steps
It's important to take your diagnosis of MEH seriously and take steps to manage it with the guidance of your health care provider. With the right combination of diet, exercise, and medication (if necessary), you can reduce your risk of developing serious health complications associated with MEH.