World Hypertension Day is observed on 17th May each year to create awareness about early detection, taking corrective measure and protecting ourselves from this silent killer. Let us acquaint ourselves about what is blood pressure, what do the numbers mean for us and the small steps we can take for better health.
What is blood pressure and hypertension?
Every time you heart beats it pushes blood through the blood vessels called arteries to the rest of your body. The pressure exerted by the blood on the walls of these arteries is called blood pressure. If your blood flows at a pressure which is higher than the normal level of 120/80 mmHg then it is labelled as hypertension.
Hypertension is a serious medical condition which increases your risk of heart disease, kidney disease, stroke and other diseases. According to WHO estimated number of adults between the age 30-79 years with hypertension has increased from 680 million to 1.28 billion in the last three decades. Prevalence of hypertension in India is about 29.8%. Despite the increasing awareness there are estimated 700 million cases of untreated hypertension around the world.
What causes Hypertension?
Hypertension is divided as Primary or essential hypertension which accounts for 90-95% of adult hypertension cases. Primary hypertension is linked to number of factors which put us at a greater risk of high blood pressure like age, genes, sex, lifestyle, obesity but a single cause cannot be determined. When a single underlying cause of hypertension is identified it is called as secondary hypertension. These could be renal parenchymal diseases, drugs, toxins, pregnancy induced hypertension, endocrine causes amongst others.
How to identify Hypertension?
Hypertension can be a silent killer and doesn’t always cause any symptoms. Some patients may suffer from persistent headache, nose bleed, palpitation or feeling of fullness in the chest, shortness of breath and anxiety. Hypertension is diagnosed only by measuring your blood pressure by your doctor. According to the latest guidelines a blood pressure higher than 130/80 mmHg is called hypertension. Your blood pressure may vary basis your age, emotions, activity and stress level. A single high reading does not mean your have high blood pressure. A diagnosis of hypertension is made only when three consecutive readings of high blood pressure measured at different time of the day are required. Blood pressure must be measured when you have been resting for at least 5 minutes.
Can it be reversed?
Prehypertension or stress induced hypertension can be reversed with lifestyle modification, low salt diet, weight loss, yoga and pranayama. But this has to be done under the guidance of a physician. Do not change or stop your hypertension medication on your own.
Complications of High Blood Pressure/ High Blood pressure Dangers
Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to complications which include heart attack, stroke, weakened or narrowed blood vessels, hypertensive kidney disease, narrowed or thickened blood vessels in your eyes and dementia amongst others are few of the many complications of high blood pressure.
Examining the concerns through homoeopathic window
Homoeopathic medicines are never generic. Depending upon your lifestyle, personalised medicine is prepared to control the blood pressure. Also, prior to the medicine preparation and selection, a detailed case study of the patient is conducted so that one can have a medicine that will suit his/her lifestyle along with controlled blood pressure. Use of specific remedies for reduction of high blood pressure is done by medicines like Viscum Album, Lachesis etc but these medicines should always be taken under the guidance of a homoeopathic physician.
Here are some basic questions you can ask your doctor
Work closely with your doctor and maintain your blood pressure.
- What is my blood pressure and what do these number mean for me?
- How often should I check for blood pressure?
- What can I do about my diet and lifestyle?
- How much is the daily recommended sodium?
- Could any of my other medication increase my blood pressure?
- Should I purchase a blood pressure monitor at home?
What and how should I change?
Whether you have high blood pressure or trying to prevent it making necessary life style changes is important. Small changes can bring a big change in your blood pressure.
- A diet low in sodium and saturated fats like a DASH diet plan can help lower your blood pressure.
- Losing about 5% of your existing weight can help manage your blood pressure.
- Be active, be on your feet as much as possible. A daily physical activity of about 35 minutes helps control your blood pressure.
- Manage your stress by meditation, yoga and pranayama.
- Quit tobacco.
If you decide to completely rely on medicines without taking extra efforts then you are heading in the wrong direction. Medicines help in controlling the high blood pressure levels only if the intake is supported with a particular routine or minor changes in daily habits and lifestyle.