Hypertension: Why You Should Worry

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Hypertension Why You Should Worry
Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) is among the
major scourges of modern day living. According to
WHO estimates, the prevalence of Hypertension in
India is about 25 percent, i.e., one in four
adults in India suffer from hypertension. This
high prevalence coupled with inadequate knowledge
about the disease makes it a guaranteed recipe
for disaster.
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What is Blood Pressure (BP)?
Blood pressure is the pressure exerted by the
blood, on the walls of the arteries. Your heart
functions as a muscular pump, that contracts
rhythmically and squirts blood into your
arteries. From there your blood is channeled to
your entire body, through a circulatory system of
smaller vessels. In this way, oxygen is delivered
to all your living tissue.
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What is the ideal Blood Pressure?
The ideal Blood Pressure in human beings varies
with age, level of activity and various other
physiological conditions. In a healthy adult, the
ideal BP is 120/80 mmHg. The condition where the
BP is higher than what is expected for your age
and gender is called Hypertension.
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Why Hypertension is called a silent killer?
Hypertension often does not produce any
discomfort or illness for a patient in the early
phase of the illness. It usually remains silent
and is detected only when after a routine
check-up. The reason why it is called a silent
killer is that even though the individual does
not have any complaints, hypertension keeps
affecting the vital organs such as kidneys, heart
and the brain. In fact, the first manifestation
of hypertension may be heart or kidney failure or
a debilitating paralytic stroke.
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When and how frequently should Blood Pressure be
measured?
Measuring Blood Pressure requires a very simple
clinical test and should be performed by all
individuals as and when possible. The measurement
should be done more regularly if there is
obesity, heart disease, diabetes, pregnancy, or
family history of Hypertension. Presently, it is
recommended that measuring BP at home is better
and less prone to error than the clinical
recording of BP by a doctor or paramedic. Home
measurement devices are now extensively available
and are extremely simple to use.
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Which Hypertension is worse systolic or
diastolic?
Previously, a lot of importance used to be given
to the lower reading of Blood Pressure. It has
now been proven that the elevation of the upper
reading is more dangerous than the elevation of
the lower reading.
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How does one prevent Hypertension?
Even though Hypertension to a large extent is
under genetic control and therefore is not
entirely preventable, its onset can be delayed
and a better control can certainly be augmented
by the following lifestyle modifications 1.
Reducing the salt and fat content in the diet 2.
Reducing the red meat content in the diet 3
.Participating in regular exercise schedules 4.
Cessation of smoking and moderation in alcohol
intake 5. Trying to relieve mental stress
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How can Hypertension be treated?
Drugs form the basis of treatment for
Hypertension and there are newer and better drugs
now available. Although most of these are
well-tolerated and free from major side effects,
they should be taken in consultation with and
under the supervision of a qualified doctor.
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What are the warning signs in a patient with
Hypertension?
All patients with Hypertension must undergo a
routine evaluation at frequent intervals. They
must, however, meet a doctor immediately if they
develop chest pain, breathlessness, reduced urine
output, swelling in the feet or weakness in any
part of the body. In conclusion, Hypertension is
an under-recognized disease in society.  This,
coupled with its widespread prevalence, makes it
mandatory for all members of society to
participate in measures to prevent and treat it
adequately. Failing to do so not only increases
the illness burden of society but also results in
an enormous increase in health care expenditure.
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