Other factors include a history of alcohol and tobacco use, and dietary assessment including saturated fat and caffeine. Also certain prescribed and over-the-counter medications, herbal remedies, and illicit drugs may be factors, as well as psychosocial and environmental factors such as family situation, employment status, working conditions, and educational levels (Guidelines).

Aside from routine physical examinations, laboratory tests, such as urinalysis, blood cell count and blood chemistry may be used in diagnostic procedure (Guidelines).

Hypertension may be treated with drugs including diuretics, such as thiazide derivatives; vasodilators, such as hydralazine and prazosin; sympathetic nervous system depressants, such as rauwolfia alkaloids; sympathetic nervous system inhibitors such as guanethidine and methyldopa and ganglionic blocking agents, such as clonidine and propranolol (Hypertension). Individuals with high blood pressure should exercise regularly, follow a low-sodium, low-saturated fat diet, avoid stress, get adequate rest, and lower calorie intake to control obesity (Hypertension).

Nutritional management of hypertension...
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