09/07/2019
FIRST AID FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
By Dr. Willie T. Ong
Some cases of high blood pressure have no symptoms whatsoever. That is why high blood pressure is regarded as a silent killer. However, there are patients who develop symptoms such as headache, nape pain, dizziness, flushing of the face, palpitation and nose bleeding.
For classification purposes, a person has mild hypertension if the systolic BP is between 140 to 159 mm Hg or the diastolic BP is between 90 to 99 mm Hg.
Try these tips: (a) lose weight and exercise, (b) reduce salt and fat intake and (c) stop smoking and limit alcohol intake.
By contrast, those with higher BPs need maintenance medicines.
First Aid For High Blood Pressure:
1. Make sure that the blood pressure reading is correct especially if the patient has no symptoms such as headache or chest pains.
2. Keep the patient relaxed. To calm the patient, you can instruct him to breathe slowly and deeply. Sometimes, slow breathing can already lower the blood pressure.
3. If the patient has maintenance medicines for high blood pressure, let him take it.
4. You can usually give the patient medicines for high blood pressure in the following circumstances: (1) If the blood pressure is over 140/90 and the patient has symptoms such as headache, dizziness, or chest pains, and (2) If the blood pressure is 160/100 or higher.
5. The usual first aid medicines doctors give to lower the blood pressure include (1) Clonidine 75 mcg, one tablet orally or (2) Captopril 25 mg, one tablet orally. These medicines can also be place and dissolved under the tongue for faster action. But for most cases, taking it orally is good enough. Consult your doctor first.
6. Take note that not all cases of high blood pressure should be given medications. Sometimes there are external causes of high blood pressure such as anger, tension or pain. Just make the patient more relaxed and the BP will go down.
Finally, see your doctor for a check-up.
