High blood pressure or hypertension is labelled as a “silent killer” because its symptoms are unrecognizable. High BP silently damages blood vessels, which further leads to serious health issues.
The good news?
You have the power to control this silent killer by measuring your BP accurately, following proper management strategies, and enjoying a longer, healthier life.
In this blog, we'll delve into everything you need to know about managing your high blood pressure and reclaiming your vitality.
Understanding High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is the most common health condition that affects the body's arteries. If you have a high blood pressure, the heart has to work more to pump blood because the blood pressure against the artery walls is consistently too high.
Blood pressure measurement is done in two parts: systolic, which is the upper blood pressure, and diastolic, which is the lower blood pressure. When the heart pumps, the force with which it does so is called the systolic blood pressure. The pressure during the resting phase is known as the diastolic blood pressure. High blood pressure is a systolic blood pressure if it is 140 mmHg or higher and a diastolic blood pressure if it is 90 mmHg or higher. If either of these readings exceeds these values, it is categorized as high blood pressure.
Why Do You Need to Know About This?
The statistics presented below are derived from a recent public lecture on "High Blood Pressure," organized by AIIMS.
The lecture provided insights into the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control rates of high blood pressure in India, as discussed by the medical professionals during the event.
Approximately 1 in 4 adults in India has high blood pressure.
Only 1 in 3 individuals is aware that they have high blood pressure.
Among those diagnosed with high blood pressure, only 1 in 5 receive treatment.
Merely 1 in 12 individuals undergoing treatment for high blood pressure have their condition under control.
Detection rates for high blood pressure vary between urban and rural areas, with higher rates observed in urban areas.
The proportion of men with hypertension is higher compared to women.
Hypertension prevalence is higher in urban areas compared to rural areas.
The male-to-female ratio of hypertension prevalence is higher in urban areas than in rural areas.
Symptoms and Signs
Many of you have high blood pressure and experience symptoms, but you often tend to ignore them, attributing them to various factors such as being out in the sun, being on an empty stomach, or skipping breakfast.
However, common symptoms of high blood pressure include:
Headaches
Chest pain
Dizziness or fainting
Shortness of breath
Vision problems
Ringing in the ears
Nosebleeds
Rapid heartbeat
If you experience any of these symptoms, it's crucial to seek prompt medical advice from a healthcare professional, which is highly recommended.
Causes and Complications
There are two types of hypertension and each type has its own cause:
Primary hypertension (essential hypertension): This type of blood pressure generally takes several years to develop. This is caused by genetics, sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, stress and age (more than 50 years)
Secondary hypertension: This high blood pressure type comes into action due to primary health problems or medications. This includes:
Diabetes
Kidney problems
Sleep apnoea
Thyroid or adrenal gland problems
Birth control pills
Among adults, high blood pressure is very common. However, kids can develop high blood pressure too. Among children, high BP may be caused by kidney or heart problems. Another reason can be lifestyle habits such as lack of exercise and an unhealthy diet.
Complications
If the high blood pressure remains untreated over time, it can lead to certain complications, such as:
Heart attack
Stroke
Heart failure
Vision loss
Fluid buildup in the lungs
Erectile dysfunction
Kidney damage
Memory loss
When to See a Doctor
Blood pressure screening is mandatory to ensure general healthcare. The question emerges: how often should you get it checked? Well, that depends on your age and complete health.
Beginning at the age of 18, request a blood pressure reading from your doctor every two years. If your age lies between 18 and 39 years or older and you are at high risk of high blood pressure, schedule a blood pressure check once a year.
If you have high blood pressure or other heart disease risk factors, your doctor would most likely advise you to take more regular measurements. Children aged 3 and above may have their blood pressure tested as part of their annual exams.
Blood Pressure Monitoring at Home
Your health care provider may ask you to perform a regular BP check-up at home. According to Dr. Shashi Mawar, an Associate Professor in the College of Nursing AIIMS, home monitoring is an excellent way to keep a record of your blood pressure. It enables your medical professionals to know whether your medicine is working or your condition is getting worse.
How to Do Home BP Monitoring?
To measure BP at home, a simple digital and electronic monitor is needed, so that you just have to press a button to inflate a cuff and you will get a reading of your BP.
Free blood pressure machines are easily available in various pharmacies and stores. The accuracy of these machines relies on certain factors, such as the correct cuff size and the right use of the machines.
Tips to Take Accurate Blood Pressure Measurement
If you own a BP monitoring machine and you’re ready to check your BP, here are a few tips that you should follow:
Empty your bladder and sit comfortably for five minutes before the measurement.
Don’t smoke, drink any tea or coffee and exercise within 30 minutes before measuring your BP.
Avoid taking measurements over clothes.
Avoid taking in between while measuring BP.
When measuring your BP, sit on a comfortable chair with your back straight and both feet flat on the ground. Keep your legs uncrossed, rest your arms on the chair's handles or a table, and ensure your hand is at heart level.
Take BP readings at least twice with a one-minute interval between them and record both measurements.
Treatment
According to Dr. Atindra Narayan (Assistant Professor, Department of Science), if you are diagnosed with high blood pressure, your provider may recommend tests to check for a cause. These tests include ambulatory monitoring, lab tests, electrocardiograms (ECG), and echocardiograms.
Once the cause is identified, your healthcare professional will offer medications to treat hypertension based on your overall health and blood pressure level. Taking two or more BP medications is extremely effective than one. It may take some time to discover the treatment or medicines that work best for you.
When taking blood pressure medication, it's critical to understand your target blood pressure level.
Important Instructions to Follow
Maintaining a proper schedule for taking your blood pressure medication regularly is necessary.
Here are a few key points to keep in mind:
Always take your medication at the time prescribed by your doctor.
Even if you feel fine and your blood pressure seems normal, you must continue taking your medication as prescribed.
If you forget your medication, take it when you remember. If it's close to your next dose, skip the one you missed. Avoid taking double doses.
Use only the doctor’s provided prescription. But, don’t share yours with others.
By following these guidelines, you can efficiently manage your blood pressure and prevent potential health risks.
Self-Care Tips for Improved Blood Pressure
Taking charge of your blood pressure is essential for maintaining overall health and preventing complications.
Along with medications, there are several self-care strategies that can help you manage your BP and lead a healthier life. Let’s first focus on modifiable risk factors and then understand what positive lifestyle changes you need to adopt.
Modifiable Risk Factors for Hypertension
According to Dr. Sonali Jhanjee (Professor, NDDTS, AIIMS), these are the key modifiable risk factors for hypertension.
Tobacco Use: Both smoking and tobacco increase blood pressure due to the presence of nicotine.
Stress: Chronic stress can elevate blood pressure.
Lifestyle Changes
A promise to a healthy lifestyle can help prevent and manage high blood pressure.
Try these heart-healthy strategies:
Quit Tobacco by taking modern medications to manage withdrawal symptoms and engaging in counselling sessions.
Take Quality Sleep of around 6-8 hours to maintain normal body functions and reduce stress.
Do Regular Exercise to stay active, stress-free and manage blood pressure.
Do Yoga and Meditation to calm your mind and body, helping to control blood pressure.
Perform Deep Breathing exercises to quickly relax your mind and body.
Maintain Social Interaction with friends and family to share your concerns and reduce stress.
Engage in Hobbies you enjoy, such as singing, dancing, or painting, to relieve stress.
Ensure Proper Time Management to complete tasks on time and avoid unnecessary stress.
Conclusion
To maintain your health and prevent severe complications, managing high blood pressure is vital. By recognizing the symptoms, understanding the causes, and taking practical steps to control your blood pressure, you can reclaim a healthier life.
Start by scheduling a blood pressure check-up with your doctor and discussing a comprehensive management plan. Implement healthier habits to live the healthy life that you deserve.
The Author : Dr. Sunil Khattri
+91 9811618704
Dr. Sunil Khattri MBBS, MS(General Surgery), LLB, is a Medical doctor and is a practicing Advocate in the Supreme Court of India and National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, New Delhi.
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