INTRODUCTION:
Hypertension
is mainly a heart related problem. In a lay man language it is high blood
pressure. It is the abnormal elevation (rising) of the blood pressure than
normal. It is also called “SILENT KILLER” because the people having it are
symptom free means before checking their blood pressure (B.P.) they were
unaware of it because previously they were not having any sign of it, so it is
very important to have your regular BP check-up. As soon as you come to know
that you are having hypertension then it is very important to have your regular
BP monitoring because it is a life- long condition. In medical language
hypertension is defined as a systolic pressure greater than 140 mm hg and a
diastolic pressure greater than 90 mm hg monitored over two consecutively BP
Measurements by a licensed health
professional. It is very simple to understand that as our BP comprises of two
values that one is upper value called systolic pressure and a lower value
called diastolic pressure. The normal person’s BP is 120/70 mm hg means 120 mm
hg is the systolic pressure and 70 mm hg is the diastolic pressure .A person is
said to be hypertensive when his/her BP is greater than 140/90 mm hg of two
regular readings taken by a health professional. Hypertension is the major
health problem it accounts for 20-50% of all deaths.
CLASSIFICATION OF HYPERTENSION
CLASS
|
SYSTOLIC BP
(mm hg)
|
DIASTOLIC BP
(mm hg)
|
Normal
|
< 120
|
< 70
|
Pre hypertension
|
120-139
|
80-89
|
Stage 1 hypertension
|
140-159
|
90-99
|
Stage 2 hypertension
|
>160
|
>100
|
Primary Hypertension: Primary hypertension is a type of Hypertension when the causes causes are generally not known & it is the main type of hypertension in people.
Secondary Hypertension: Secondary hypertension is a type of Hypertension when it is due to some other diseases such as
kidney problem etc.
These are the
factors which aid in the development of hypertension means increasing the risk
for causing this problem. These are categorise as “Modifiable”, means the factors which a person can modify or change
to have normal BP & other one is “Non-modifiable”,
which are not in the hands of a person to change them. These are described as:
Non-modifiable risk factors:
Ø
AGE: Normally BP rises with increasing age
in both sexes but greater in those with higher initial BP that is the cause
that elderly people have greater BP than the younger people because of some
accumulated environmental & ageing influences.
Ø
SEX: In
the early life there is no much difference in the BP of both sexes but at
adolescence men having higher level of BP than women however in late life women
having higher level of BP because of post-menopausal changes.
Ø
GENETIC FACTORS:
Blood pressure levels are also inheritable as they can transfer from parents to
children. Studies shows that children of two normotensive (having normal BP) parents
having 3% chances of transferring it while two hypertensive parents having 45%
chances of transferring it to their children.
Modifiable risk factors:
Ø
OBESITY:
The main cause cum risk factor of hypertension is obesity that means having the
weight more than normal. Many studies shows that as you lose your weight, BP also
come down than previous one.
Ø
DIET: ØRegulation of BP also depends upon your diet.
Taking less salt (< 2 gm per day) in
your diet can lead to decrease your BP. Take high fibre diet such as green
leafy vegetables, fruits, salads etc. these fibres help in reducing plasma
cholesterol level which is the main cause of high BP. Taking high potassium
diet(banana) also helps in lowering BP as potassium antagonise (act against)
the effect of sodium. Do not take too much oily & spicy food can also help
in reducing BP level as these contain too much cholesterol.
To check various SIGN & SYMPTOMS OF HYPERTENSION Read our Next Article (CLICK HERE)
Ø
SEDANTARY LIFE STYLE:
Not doing physical activities such as those activities which do not require any
physical energy can lead to high BP. Modern people in their daily life usually
do mental work in their respected job areas but not any work which require .walking
which is the main cause of high BP because it leads to fat accumulation
(obesity) ultimately to hypertension.
Ø
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS:
Stress is the main environmental factor which lead to high BP because in stress
there is more release of chemicals (nor epinephrine) in body which lead to high
BP.
Ø ALCOHOL/SMOKING:
Consumption of alcohol & smoking having increased risk of developing
hypertension as these are vasoconstrictor means raising the pressure in
arteries (blood carrying vessels) which lead to hypertension.
To check various SIGN & SYMPTOMS OF HYPERTENSION Read our Next Article (CLICK HERE)
By: Dr. Naina Sharma.