Control Your Hypertension

Hypertension or high blood pressure (HBP), is a long term medical condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is constantly raised.

Hypertension

 
  • 57% of stroke deaths &
  • 24% of coronary heart disease deaths in India
 

Risk Factors

 
  • Physical Inactivity,
  • Salt-Rich diets
  • Processed and Fatty Foods, and
  • Alcohol and Tobacco use
  • Age- People over 60 y.o.
  • Overweight or Obesity
 

Long Term Hypertension Causes

 
  • Coronary artery disease,
  • Heart failure,
  • Stroke,
  • Peripheral Vascular Disease,
  • Vision Loss and
  • Chronic Kidney Disease
 

Diagnosis

 
  • Systolic (the pressure as the heart pumps blood around the body), given first - 140 mmHg(millimeters of mercury); or
  • Diastolic (pressure as the heart relaxes and refills with blood), given second - over 90 mmHg
  • Readings are taken in subsequent visits using a sphygmomanometer (blood pressure monitor) help doctor determine a diagnosis of Hypertension
  • 120/80 is the ideal
 

Treatment

 
  • Restricting salt to 5 g/day
  • Consuming Less Alcohol
  • Shifting to or incorporating a low-fat diet of vegetables and fruits
  • Weight Reduction & Maintenance
  • Physical activity, i. e., walking, jogging, cycling or swimming
  • Prescription Hypertension medicines, i.e., Diuretics, beta-blockers, Angiotensin receptor blockers, etc.