Hypertension • Steroids: for example, prednisone • Antidepressants: Venlafaxine (Effexor) • Amphetamines: for example meds used for treatment of ADD such as Adderall, Focalin, Ritalin For more comprehensive list of medication causing high BP go to: (https://www.uspharmacist.com/article/drug-induced-hypertension). Always notify your doctor and pharmacist of all the medications (including over the counter) as well as supplements. Lifestyle changes: Frequently changing your lifestyle will either result in reduction of medications you take or even elimination of blood pressure pills! DASH diet: Simply the best for patients with high blood pressure! DASH diet is definitely best approach to prevent hypertension and lower your BP. It is high in fiber, potassium, calcium and low in simple carbs, saturated fats and sodium. DASH diet with a low sodium level led to a mean systolic blood pressure that was 7.1 mm Hg lower in participants without hypertension, and 11.5 mm Hg lower in participants with hypertension. [4] It is much more effective than restricting sodium alone and it is still effective even if slat consumption is higher than recommended. For a 2,000-calorie diet, you should aim each day for six to eight servings of grains; four to five each of veggies and fruit; two to three of dairy; six or fewer of lean meat, poultry and fish, with one serving being equivalent to an ounce; four to five (a week) of nuts, seeds and legumes; two to three of fats and oils; and five or fewer (a week) of sweets. DASH suggests capping sodium at 2,300 milligrams a day and eventually working to stay at about 1,500 milligrams. Aggressive benefits of sodium restriction in high blood pressure haven recently questioned in a very large study. (See Chapter 2, Ref # 41) More on DASH diet & recipes: (https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/files/docs/public/heart/hbp_low.pdf) Potassium intake: Increasing consumption to 4.7 g per day (Recommended intake) lowers systolic blood pressure up to 3.2 mm Hg. [2] Potassium rich foods include fruits (such as tomatoes, oranges, apricots, and bananas), vegetables, whole grains, dairy products and coffee.
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