17th May is being celebrated as World Hypertension Day all across the globe. The day aims to raise the awareness among public about hypertension, its various preventive measures and the complications it can lead to. The day was 1st celebrated on 14th May in the year 2005 organized by the World Hypertension League (WHL).
What is Hypertension?
Hypertension or High Blood Pressure is a medical condition under which the arterial blood pressure raises above the normal level (120/80 mmHg). Hypertension is known as “Silent killer” as it does not reflect any clear symptoms in the beginning. Headaches, sleepiness, palpitation, blurred vision, fatigue, dizziness, confusion, ringing sensation in ears, problem while breathing, irregular heartbeats are some of the severe hypertension symptoms.
Hypertension has been classified into two categories such as: “Primary or essential hypertension and secondary hypertension” totally depending on its causing factors. Primary or Essential hypertension is very much common among people and hence its cause is still unknown. Whereas, secondary hypertension is not that common and the major cause of secondary hypertension are: damage of kidneys, adrenal gland over-activity, sleep apnea syndrome, tumors, excessive intake of recreational drugs, dysfunctioning of thyroid glands, aortic coarctation, excessive consumption of alcohol, unhealthy food, etc.
Hypertension is an inherited medical condition which gets transferred from parents to their children. If hypertension is not controlled, then it can lead to various complications such as atherosclerosis (narrowing of arteries), brain hemorrhage (blood clot in the brain), stroke, heart attack, aneurysms, kidney failure, heart failure, eye damage, etc.
Primary hypertension is easily preventable, whereas secondary hypertension is severe which needs immediate medical treatment to get cured. For the treatment of secondary hypertension, certain lifestyle changes along with the adaptation of health living habits such as avoiding smoking and limiting the intake of alcohol, intake of sodium should be between 1.5 to 2.5g, high fiber and low fat diet, fruits and green vegetables, appropriate physical exercise, reduction in stress level, regular monitoring of Blood Pressure (BP), pulse and weight, etc. can be done for the treatment of the condition.
Not only our lifestyle but the weather also plays an important role in the variation of blood pressure. Our blood pressure is higher in winter season and lower in summers. This happens because the low temperature causes our blood vessels to get narrowed because of which the blood pressure increases as the veins and arteries requires more pressure for the circulation of blood. Weight gain and decreased physical activity are common in winters and hence they are the contributors for increased blood pressure.
Why World Hypertension Day is celebrated?
Since 2005 the day is being celebrated to distribute the message of maintaining normal blood pressure in common people. Hypertension is the root cause for various complications in the body and thus leads to the major risk to the heart, stroke, kidney disease, eye disorders, coma and even death also.
According to data provided by World Health Organization, about 3 out of 10 people are dealing with hypertension globally. Nearly 1.8 billion people globally are dealing with hypertension and the most surprising part is that about 50% of the population is completely unaware about their conditions. Some of them who are aware about their condition do not take any medical treatment for their blood pressure, which should be avoided and consultation from the doctors should be sought.
“Maintenance of weight with low salt diet and exercise program involving long walks, yoga & meditation can prevent high blood pressure to a larger extent”, says Padma Vibhushan & Dr. B C Roy National Awardee, Dr. Purshotam Lal, Director - Interventional Cardiology, Metro Group of Hospitals
