Hypertension - Increased Blood Pressure Is A (Silent Killer)

Since BP is a very commonly occurring disease, it is bound to be taken casually and neglected.

Little do we know that hypertension is one of the most common causes (risk factors) for heart disease, which is the number 1 killer worldwide?

Expert opinion matters, let's take it.

• What is the typical age of getting BP?
  Ages between 30 and 55 years fall into a common occurrence. Anyone detected hypertensive for the first time beyond these ages need proper evaluation.
• What all tests do we need to get done as a patient of BP?
  We need to get necessary blood investigations to rule out Anaemia, Thyroid disease, Diabetes, Kidney disease, Cholesterol and urine examination and an ECG. Echocardiography may also be done.
• What all lifestyle changes are required; those can minimise the medicine requirement?
  • Decrease salt intake to less than 1500 mg per day of sodium or 5 gram per day of regular salt.
  • Increase intake of potassium-rich foods like banana, coconut water, dates and resins etc.
  • DASH diet is clinically proven to reduce BP. It has 5 servings of fruits and vegetables, more of whole grain and reduced dairy products and high fatty food.
  • Weight reduction, for every 1 kg reduction in weight, the BP decreases by 1 mm of mercury
  • Increased physical activity, an hour of quick walk or park your vehicle bit farther!
  • Restriction of alcohol, less party and more enjoyment
• Do we need to get treated despite having no symptoms like a headache, nausea etc.?
  Yes, because the idea behind treating BP is to reduce the risk of cardiac disease in future.
• Do the elderly need treatment? There is a common myth in society that the average values for BP increase with age?
  Well, if an older adult is leading an active life, with a reasonable life expectancy, they should be treated like others less their age. Although, if the person has comorbidities leading to a bound life, with a decreased life expectancy, the treating doctor can decide on treating BP sub-optimally if ideal correction is giving them symptoms of light-headedness, weakness and blackouts.
• Can we continue with our Ayurveda treatment too?
  Yes, one can. It should be under the supervision of an Ayurveda medicine specialist, with knowledge about the contents of treatment, thereby not risking ourselves with certain overdosage complications.
• Once on treatment, can we do strenuous work?
  Yes, one can. Once your BP is under control, and the tests have come out to be normal, one can continue or restart the strenuous work too.

Will come up next with 'The Do's and Don'ts' in patients of the cardiac disease.