WORLD HYPERTENSION DAY - MAY 17

WORLD HYPERTENSION DAY - MAY 17

HYPERTENSION

DEFINITION:

                      Hypertension, also known as High Blood Pressure is a long term medical condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is persistently elevated.

SYMPTOMS : Usually does not cause any symptoms.

RISK FACTORS:

* Coronary Heart Disease.

* Stroke

* Heart failure

* Vision Loss

* Chronic Kidney Disease

RANGES OF BLOOD PRESSURE :

• Normal blood pressure is below 120 systolic and below 80 diastolic
• Pre hypertension is 120-139 systolic or 80-89 diastolic
• Stage 1 high blood pressure (hypertension) is 140-159 systolic or 90-99 diastolic
• Stage 2 high blood pressure (hypertension) is 160 or higher systolic or 100 or higher diastolic
• Hypertensive crisis (a medical emergency) is when blood pressure is above 180 systolic or above 110 diastolic.
  

CAUSES :

• Physical inactivity
• A salt-rich diet 
• Alcohol and tobacco use.
• Age
• Being overweight or obese 
• Sex - men are more prone to hypertension at a younger age and women have a higher rate of hypertension at older ages
• Low Dietary Potassium Intake
• Pregnancy
• Sleep apnea

TREATMENT :

1. MEDICATIONS : Different variety of medications are prescribed to lower blood pressure

2. LIFE STYLE CHANGES

*  Salt Restriction

* Moderation of Alcohol Consumption

* Reducing weight & maintaining it

* Regular Physical Exercise

* Reduce Stress

3. DIET :

* Diet prescribed to lower Blood Pressure is called as " DASH DIET" - Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension

* This diet focuses on Portion size, consuming  wide variety of foods and obtaining  proper amount of nutrients.

* It helps to consume Less Sodium and High Magnesium, Potassium and Calcium.

* GUIDELINES

#  Consume Low sodium Foods - Avoid pickles, Appalam,  Fast Food, Processed foods.

# Include 2 cups of vegetables & 1 cup of Fruits everyday.

#  Consume Whole grains, Pulses 

#  Include Nuts & dry fruits 

# Avoid Alcohol

# Quit smoking

#  Consume Lean meat - Boiled Chicken, Fish

#  Include Low fat dairy Product - Skim Milk

# Potato, Beetroot, Banana are rich in magnesium thus helps to lower blood pressure.