An estimated 50 million Americans have hypertension, but more than a third of them don't know it. The cause is unknown, but risk factors include obesity, inactivity, diabetes and kidney disease. The nurse should pump until it fits snugly, then release the pressure slowly. If your reading is abnormal, ask for a 10-minute break, then have it taken once or twice more and average the readings. The higher the numbers are, the harder your heart is working.
Beta blockers slow the heart rate.
Calcium channel blockers reduce the heart rate and relax the blood vessels. WHAT YOU CAN DO Eat right. Skip the salt. If you have hypertension, avoiding salty foods may help reduce it. Have some fruit every day.