When diagnosing hypertension the patient's blood pressure is measured several times and if consistently high readings are shown on three occasions, other symptoms are considered. The back of the eye may be examined with an ophthalmoscope for signs of hypertensive retinopathy, a complication of hypertension which is characterised by a narrowing of the retinal arteries. Areas of retina may be destroyed, and haemorrhage and white deposits may occur in the retina. Such evidence gives a reason for starting the patient on a course of antihypertensive treatment. When the diagnosis of high blood pressure has been made, a suitable programme of treatment must be drawn up from the wide choice of treatments available.
Treatment Diuretics Several types of diuretics are available for the treatment of hypertension.
By increasing the excretion of water from the kidneys, the blood volume is lowered and hence the blood pressure. The usual starting dose of bendrofluazide is 2.5mg daily. Some patients may suffer side effects caused by an upset in their body's metabolism when potassium is lost from the body after taking a non-potassium sparing diuretic such as bendrofluazide. When blood levels of potassium fall, patients may feel weak, dizzy or sick and their potassium levels should be checked and suitable changes made in the choice of diuretic used or a potassium supplement added to their medication regime. Eating foods of a high potassium content, eg bananas, also helps.