World Hypertension Day 2021 is observed annually on the 17th of May worldwide by the World Hypertension League (WHL). This year’s WHD theme is ‘Measure Your Blood Pressure, Control It, Live Longer’ and it mainly targets to educate the public and increase awareness of hypertension or high blood pressure and focus on accurate BP measurement.
Often dubbed as a ‘silent killer’, Hypertension or High Blood Pressure is a common heart anomaly agonizing almost 26% of the world populace wherein the arterial blood pressure increases to elevated levels ultimately leading to heart attacks, strokes, dementia and even death. Although there can be plenty of contributors towards high blood pressure, the most common ones include sedentary lifestyle, excessive sodium intake, obesity, age, family history, lifestyle habits, smoking, stress, etc.
An optimum blood pressure reading is 120/80 mm Hg (i.e., mercury); where the upper number indicates the systolic pressure (i.e., pressure in the arteries when the heart beats and gets filled with blood) and the lower number cites the diastolic pressure (i.e., pressure in the arteries when the heart is in a resting phase in between two beats). The higher the force of the blood, the more the arteries stretch and allow blood to pass through it. When this force is constantly high for a longer time duration, the tissues that make the wall of the arteries stretch far beyond their healthy limit, and therefore, get damaged.
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In the current situation of the pandemic, when everyday Covid cases are increasing exponentially, people with comorbidities are already at a higher incidence of contracting the highly infectious mutant strains of the SARS-CoV2 virus. According to the updated list of comorbidities of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), individuals with uncontrolled or untreated high blood pressure, especially pulmonary hypertension is at a higher risk of getting Covid-19. Although some studies reveal that ACE inhibitors and ARBs, medications used to treat hypertension may increase the amount of ACE2 in your body, a receptor that helps the new coronavirus bind, thus increasing the risk of developing Covid-19, yet there any no solid scientific proofs regarding the same. And doctors strictly advise not to discontinue any medication without prior consultation as it may in turn increase the risk of Covid-19.
Although, the pandemic must be extremely stressful for people with high blood pressure, increasing burden on both their physical and mental health due to the potential risk of more serious illness, yet with proper prescribed medications and lifestyle changes like following a heart-healthy diet, reducing sugar intake, managing stress, avoiding or limiting alcohol and tobacco and incorporating some forms of exercise, one can very well manage high blood pressure during these times of uncertainty.
Also Checkout: World Hypertension Day: Diet Chart To Control High BP- Infographic
If you prefer a natural way to manage hypertension, we bring you a list of Hastha Mudras, an integral part of Yoga that not only soothes the nerves and helps bring down an abnormal heart rate but also relieves stress and regulates blood pressure naturally.
Also Read: Yoga For Hypertension: 5 Powerful Yogasanas To Effectively Lower High Blood Pressure
Practice these hand gestures regularly to keep high blood pressure in check.
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Super-Effective Hand Gestures To Manage Hypertension
1. Apan Vayu Mudra
While inhaling and exhaling, place the tip of your index finger at the bottom of your thumb. Now join the tips of your middle finger along with the ring finger with the tip of the thumb to form this mudra.
Benefits:
Referred to as heart mudra, not only does it manage hypertension but also helps in treating breathing difficulties, angina pectoris, heart attack, heart failure, etc.
2. Surya Mudra
Place the tip of the ring finger at the base of the thumb, while exerting a slight pressure on the ring finger.
Benefits:
Apart from high blood pressure, this hand gesture helps in lowering blood cholesterol, prevent obesity and uplift digestion.
3. Pran Mudra
Create this mudra by bringing the tip of the thumb, ring finger and little finger to touch each other, while the other fingers are stretched.
Benefits:
This mudra helps in awakening the power of prana in the body. Not only does it help in mitigating stress, but also improves sleep, enhances eye-sight and manage the sudden rise in high blood pressure.
4. Aakash Mudra
Join the tip of your middle finger to the tip of the thumb, with the other fingers stretched and hold it while exhaling inhaling for a few minutes.
Benefits:
This mudra helps in connecting to the higher self, gets rid of all kinds of negative emotions and manage hypertension naturally.
5. Vaayan Mudra
Join the tip of the middle finger and index finger to the tip of the thumb finger, while keeping other fingers stretched to form this mudra.
Benefits:
Also known as Vatta Katak Mudra, this mudra is one of the best possible hand gestures to manage and treat hypertension by increasing Vata humour which in turn increases the nerve force and vitality of the body.
