Hypertension or high blood
pressure has become a very common medical condition, globally. Those afflicted
by the condition include people of all age groups, young and old. Today the
world has become fast paced in every aspect and this gives rise to a lot of
stress. It is this stress that is the primary reason for the millions suffering
from it. The other reasons are obesity, unhealthy lifestyle, excessive intake
of junk food which contains high amount of fat and salt, sedentary lifestyle
lacking healthy outdoor activities and unhealthy habits like drinking and
smoking. The only way to curtail the spread of hypertension is by creating
awareness of the causes and urging people to bring changes in their lifestyle
accordingly.
Blood pressure is
the pressure of blood on the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps it. The blood thus pumped into the arteries is carried to
different parts of the body. When this pressure or force increases beyond a
certain limit it is called high blood pressure. This high pressure is dangerous
because the heart has to work harder to pump the blood to the body. Over a
period of time it damages the arteries of the heart and other organs leading to
severe complications which may sometimes turn fatal.
Know your blood pressure?
Systolic is the pressure
that blood exerts on arteries and vessels while the heart is beating. It shows
the maximum pressure that is exerted on the arteries. The normal range for
adults is between 90 – 120 mm Hg. This is represented by the higher reading
displayed on the monitor. Systolic blood pressure is known to rise with age as
a result of hardening of the arteries.
Diastolic is the pressure that is
exerted on the walls of the various arteries and vessels in the body in between
heart beats when the heart is relaxed. It shows the minimum pressure in the
arteries. The normal range for adults is between 60 – 80 mm Hg. This is
conveyed by the lower reading displayed on the monitor. Diastolic readings are particularly
important in monitoring the blood pressure in younger individuals.
Causes of High Blood Pressure
Factors which influence hypertension
are as follows -
- Extra weight or obesity
- Smoking
- Lack of physical activity due to sedentary lifestyle or desk jobs
in offices.
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Too much salt intake
- Stress
- Genetics
- Old age
- Family history of high blood pressure
- Adrenal and thyroid disorders
- Certain medical conditions like diabetes, chronic kidney ailments,
etc.
- Sleep apnea
- Certain drugs and medicines
How to Prevent High Blood Pressure
Certain changes in
lifestyle, diet and habit can be very helpful in managing optimum blood
pressure levels. These include -
- Maintaining a healthy weight as obesity increases the risk of
developing high blood pressure. Even small amounts of weight loss can go a
long way in preventing high blood pressure.
- Exercising regularly has proven that people who are physically
active are less likely to develop high blood pressure, compared to people
who lead a sedentary life.
- Salt is known to raise blood pressure. Reducing intake of salt will
be very helpful in preventing your blood pressure from rising.
- Avoiding alcohol or drinking in moderation reduces the risk of
hypertension.
- Stress is one of the main causes of high blood pressure. To
maintain blood pressure at the normal level, one should regularly indulge
in stress busting activities like yoga, meditation, hypnosis and others.
- Some essential nutrients like Potassium and Calcium are also helpful in regulating blood pressure levels. Hence foods or supplements containing these nutrients should be consumed on a regular basis.
