(BPT) – When Latoya, a writer, administrative accounting assistant, wife and mother of six, was diagnosed with hypertension, she was surprised. “I thought high blood pressure is something only the elderly get,” reflects Latoya. “I didn’t know hypertension may lead to heart attack and stroke.”

Importance of Managing High Blood Pressure
Latoya is just one of the roughly 67 million U.S. adults with hypertension, or high blood pressure. High blood pressure – which typically has no symptoms – is a chronic medical condition in which blood pressure is elevated to levels of 140/90 mm Hg or greater.

“Blood pressure drops of even modest amounts may reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke,” says Dr. Ana Stankovic, MD, FACP, FASN, a board certified nephrologist, clinical hypertension specialist and fellow of the American Society of Nephrology who practices medicine in southern New Hampshire.

The good news is that high blood pressure can be managed. Lifestyle changes as part of a treatment plan may help reduce high blood pressure. Doctors generally recommend the following to help control blood pressure:

Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and lowfat dairy productsReduce salt intakeEngage in regular physical activityMaintain a healthy body weightLimit alcohol intakeAvoid tobaccoTake medication as prescribed

The Physician and Patient Relationship
Since she was diagnosed, Latoya’s blood pressure remained high. Her physician emphasized the importance of managing her blood pressure, and together they worked to reach her goal. He suggested she make several lifestyle changes, including adjusting her diet, exercising regularly and taking medication. Latoya’s physician told her about a medication called Edarbi, or azilsartan medoxomil.

Finding a Plan that Works for You
While everyone responds differently to treatment and individual results may vary, after one month on Edarbi, Latoya’s blood pressure had dropped. Since then, Latoya has been managing her hypertension with Edarbi. She continues to monitor her diet and stress level and exercises regularly.

“If you have hypertension, you need to have an open mind about working with your doctor to find the right treatment plan for you,” Latoya says. “I followed my doctor’s advice. Changing my diet, exercising regularly and taking my medication are working for me.”

Edarbi is a prescription medicine called an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) that is used to treat high blood pressure in adults. Taken once a day, it is an effective medicine demonstrated to lower blood pressure by helping blood vessels relax.

Many adults with hypertension may require more than one medication to help achieve their blood pressure goals. For this reason, some pills combine two or more medications into a single pill. Edarbi is also available in a once-daily, single-pill combination with the diuretic (water pill) chlorthalidone. This medication, called Edarbyclor (azilsartan medoxomil and chlorthalidone), is the only hypertension therapy in the U.S. that combines an ARB with chlorthalidone, which has been shown to be effective at lowering blood pressure in clinical trials. –

Important Safety Information

WARNING: EDARBI and EDARBYCLOR can cause harm or death to your unborn baby. If you become pregnant while taking EDARBI or EDARBYCLOR, tell your doctor right away. If you plan to become pregnant, talk to your doctor about other treatments to lower blood pressure.Before taking EDARBI or EDARBYCLOR, tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Discuss with your doctor other ways to lower your blood pressure. It is not known if EDARBYCLOR passes into breast milk. You and your doctor should decide if you will take EDARBI or EDARBYCLOR or breastfeed. You should not do both.Do not take EDARBYCLOR if you make less urine because of kidney problems (anuria).Do not take aliskiren with EDARBI or EDARBYCLOR if you have diabetes.Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, including if you have heart problems or stroke, have gout, or have liver or kidney problems. Kidney problems may become worse in people that already have kidney disease. If you have kidney problems, you may need blood tests, and your doctor may need to lower your dose or may need to stop treatment with EDARBYCLOR.Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take other medicines to treat your high blood pressure or heart problem; water pills (diuretics); lithium; or digoxin.EDARBI and EDARBYCLOR may cause serious side-effects including low blood pressure (hypotension) which may cause you to feel faint and dizzy. Vomiting and diarrhea, a low salt diet, sweating a lot, or not drinking enough fluid can also lead to low blood pressure.If you feel faint or dizzy, lie down and call your doctor right away. If you pass out (faint) have someone call your doctor or get medical help. Stop taking EDARBYCLOR.If you have fluid and body salt (electrolytes) problems, tell your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms: dry mouth, confusion, thirst, lack of energy/weakness, drowsiness, passing very little urine or passing large amounts of urine, seizures, muscle pain/cramps, restlessness, muscle tiredness (fatigue), fast or abnormal heartbeat, nausea and vomiting, or constipation.People who have increased levels of uric acid in the blood may develop gout. If you already have gout tell your doctor about worsening of your gout symptoms.In clinical studies, the most common side effect seen with EDARBI was diarrhea (2.0%).In clinical studies, the side effects seen with EDARBYCLOR included dizziness (8.9%) and tiredness (2.0%).

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Use of EDARBI and EDARBYCLOR
EDARBI and EDARBYCLOR are prescription medicines used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Your doctor may prescribe other medicines for you to take along with EDARBI or EDARBYCLOR to treat your high blood pressure. EDARBYCLOR is used when one medicine is not enough or as the first medicine if your doctor decides you are likely to need more than one medicine. Medicines that lower your blood pressure may lower your chances of having a stroke or heart attack, but they don’t work alone. It should be part of a complete treatment plan.

Please talk to your healthcare professional and see accompanying complete Prescribing Information for EDARBI and EDARBYCLOR.

Takeda Pharmaceuticals, U.S.A., Inc. provided the content for this article.