What is Hypertension (high blood pressure)?
Hypertension is elevated pressure of blood in the arteries.
High B.P. results from two major factors that can either exist independently or together –
Narrowing of the body’s smaller vessels (arterioles) which results in the blood exerting more pressure against the vessel walls. (due to the deposition of fats and lipids in the blood vessels)
The heart is pumping with excessive force.
Types:
1.DIASTOLIC PRESSURE : Diastolic Pressure is the lowest pressure in the artery. It result when the ventricles are relaxed (diastole)
2..SYSTOLIC PRESSURE : Systolic pressure is the maximum pressure exerted by the blood against the arterial walls. It results when the ventricles contract (systole)
Ranges:
Normal Range – 120/80 mmHg
Conditions in which Blood pressure is above 140/90 mmHg is considered as High blood pressure.
Blood pressure between 120/80 and 139/89 is known as “pre-hypertension”
Blood pressure above 140/90 or above considered as high B.P.
Causes:
Obesity:
The more you weigh, the more blood you need to supply the oxygen and nutrients to your tissues.
Tobacco and alcohol consumption:
Overtime, heavy drinking and smoking can damage your heart.
Not only does smoking or chewing tobacco immediately raise your blood pressure temporarily, But the chemicals in tobacco can damage the lining of your artery walls.
Excessive use of salt (sodium) in diet:
Excess sodium in your diet can cause your body to retain fluid, which increases blood pressure.
Mental stress:
High levels of stress can lead to a temporary, but dramatic increase in blood.
the more you stress, the more your brain will consume oxygen, there will not be sufficient oxygen for the heart.
Certain chronic conditions:
May also increase your risk for high blood pressure, including cholesterol, diabetes, kidney disease and sleep apnea.
Age:
The risk of high blood pressure increases as you age.
Unhealthy diet:
Most of the food items that we consume today…fast foods or items packed with preservatives and chemicals…creates digestive problems in the body. Impaired digestion leads to accumulation (gathering up) of toxins, which further leads to high blood pressure.
Symptoms:
Headache
Nosebleed
Blurred vision
Confusion
Dizziness
Palpitation (rapid, strong, irregular heartbeats)
Fatigue (feeling overtired, weakness)
Complications of hypertension
Heart Failure
Ischemic heart disease
Stroke
Peripheral vascular disease
Hypertensive retinopathy
Hypertensive nephropathy
How to maintain Blood pressure?
Take medicines regularly as prescribed by the physician/Doctor
Check Blood Pressure on regular basis
If you are overweight, then reducing weight might help.
See nutrition and have a proper diet chart according to your age. Refer @MAYOCLINIC’S DASH DIET.
Use the required amount of salt in your diet.
Avoid consuming alcohol, tobacco and reduce smoking [if you do]
Treatment:
Medication
Class 1 (diuretics):
Basically, they help the body to get rid of Na+(sodium) salt and water. This helps in decrease in the flow of blood running through the veins and arteries, which reduces hypertension.
They exert most of their therapeutic effects through inhibiting the reabsorption of sodium at different sites along the nephron of the kidney.
Diminished reabsorption of sodium results in increased urinary loss of both sodium and water, leading to a reduction in plasma volume, and a reduction of blood pressure.
Class 2 (calcium-ion channel blockers)
Calcium channel blockers are drugs that bind to and block mainly the L-type calcium channels present on cardiac and vascular smooth muscle cells.
The lipid deposition will stop the flow of blood and that will lead to an emergency situation.
These calcium channel blockers prevent the ions from reaching smooth muscles hence muscle will get relaxed resulting in vasodilation( dilation of vessels), blood flow will be normal.
NOTE
Please take medicines according to the given time everyday.
If you are on medications, then take precautions you might feel dizzy or weak in between.
Yoga, Exercise and Meditation works like magic to any disorder, at least try to add 15-30 mins for yoga in your schedule . (प्राणायाम ,अनुलोम-विलोम प्राणायाम )
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