High Blood Pressure, Hypertension Therapy

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High Blood Pressure, Hypertension Therapy
High Blood Pressure, Hypertension Therapy

Video: High Blood Pressure, Hypertension Therapy

Video: High Blood Pressure, Hypertension Therapy
Video: High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) and It's Management 2024, March
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High blood pressure (hypertension): therapy

The basic therapy for any hypertension should be lifestyle improvement measures. As a result, the values normalize in a quarter of those affected with a mild hypertension disease. For all other forms, drug therapy is also necessary. The most important pillars of a lifestyle change include weight reduction, stress reduction, endurance training, nutrition and reduction or renunciation of stimulants such as nicotine and alcohol.

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  • more on the subject
  • Advice, downloads & tools
  • Measures to improve lifestyle
  • How is the drug treatment of high blood pressure carried out?
  • Whom can I ask?
  • How are the costs going to be covered?

Measures to improve lifestyle

  • Normalization of body weight,
  • Endurance sports,
  • balanced, low-salt diet,
  • Avoiding drugs that increase blood pressure,
  • Stop smoking
  • Reduce alcohol consumption,
  • Relaxation and stress relief in everyday life.

Furthermore, existing cardiovascular diseases should be treated accordingly. For more information, see High Blood Pressure: Prevention.

How is the drug treatment of high blood pressure carried out?

According to the guidelines of the European Heart Society (ESC), the therapy is based on the patient's individual risk situation. Treatment can already be considered in the normal range (130-139 / 85-89 mmHg) if the patient has a very high cardiovascular risk or if measures to improve lifestyle do not work after a certain period of time. In the case of grade 2 hypertension (160–179 / 100–109 mmHg) and grade 3 hypertension (from 180/110 mmHg), drug treatment must be initiated immediately and the target value must be achieved within three months. According to the ESC guidelines, the lower blood pressure limit for treatment has been a systolic value of 120mmHg since 2018. At the same time, the therapy target values were lowered, especially in the elderly.

The following blood pressure target values are now aimed for in most cases, always provided that the treatment is tolerated by the patient:

  • systolic: 18-65 years: 130 mmHg or lower (not below 120); from 65 years: 130-139 mmHg;
  • diastolic: regardless of age 70–80 mmHg; e.g.

The standard is a drug-based dual combination therapy from the start. An initial monotherapy is only possible in exceptional cases (e.g. in hypertension in stage 1). If the target blood pressure cannot be achieved with the selected medication, the therapy is gradually supplemented with additional preparations.

The following five drug groups are first choice:

  • ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) dilate blood vessels and inhibit blood pressure-increasing hormones.
  • Thiazide-type diuretics (thiazides) in low doses increase the excretion of table salt and water via the kidneys. Often these are combined with another substance from this group.
  • Calcium channel blockers: dilate the peripheral vessels
  • Beta blockers reduce the work of the heart and reduce stress blood pressure.

Other high blood pressure drugs:

  • Alpha-1 blockers and direct vasodilators dilate the blood vessels.
  • Centrally effective drugs inhibit the sympathetic nervous system.
  • Aldosterone antagonists increase the excretion of salt.

The doctor will select a suitable therapy depending on the accompanying illnesses and side effects. Often the treatment has to be carried out for the rest of life. Therefore, a detailed explanation about side effects and the intake procedure at the beginning of the therapy is crucial for the success.

Whom can I ask?

For the treatment of high blood pressure, you can contact the following offices:

  • General Practitioner,
  • Specialist in internal medicine.

The Austrian Society for Hypertensiology awards specially trained doctors the title of "high-pressure specialist". The names can be found on the website www.hochdruckliga.at.

How are the costs going to be covered?

The e-card is your personal key to the benefits of the statutory health insurance. All necessary and appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic measures are taken over by your responsible social insurance agency. A deductible or contribution to costs may apply for certain services. You can obtain detailed information from your social security agency. Further information can also be found at:

  • Right to treatment
  • Visit to the doctor: costs and deductibles
  • What does the hospital stay cost?
  • Prescription fee: This is how drug costs are covered
  • Medical aids & aids
  • Health Professions AZ
  • and via the online guide to reimbursement of social insurance costs.

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