Started on May 17, 2005, World Hypertension Day is marked by improving awareness on Hypertension. Many myths and realities are prevailing about this ‘silent killer’ disease which actually shows no symptoms and has to be monitored at intervals to mitigate the risks of complications arising later on. The day was marked with several awareness camps across the district and The Pioneer spoke to various medical practitioners of the city to know about measures to control the disease.
The theme for World Hypertension Day this year is to ‘Know Your Numbers’ with a goal of increasing high blood pressure (BP) awareness among the people around the world. One must understand at the outset that Hypertension is not inherited, it is earned and acquired due to sedentary lifestyle and it is largely psychosomatic, related to mind. More of stress and more imbalanced would increase ‘your numbers’.
The ideal limits stated by World Health Organisation for blood pressure is 140-85 mm Hg for all age groups. This borderline of systolic blood pressure of less than 140 and diastolic less than 85 is considered ideal for human beings. The WHO rates hypertension as one of the most important causes of premature death worldwide and the problem is growing with each passing day which is a matter of concern. In 2025, it is estimated there will be 1.56 billion adults would be living with high blood pressure, says a WHO report.
Speaking to The Pioneer, physician from RK Mission hospital Dr S Chaudhary said, “There are no symptoms of high blood pressure, so one must not keep waiting for the disease. The only method to know about hypertension if one has is to regularly monitor it.” When asked about the frequency of monitoring, Chaudhary said, “One must get it checked once in a month after 40 years of age. Without monitoring it cannot be detected or controlled.” Diet has a minimal role in checking the hypertension, one has to take medicine to control it. Healthy and active lifestyle can definitely reduce the dosage of medicine but one cannot do away with it, added Chaudhary.
However, yoga and naturopathy experts have considered it mainly a mind- related disease. Relaxation techniques like meditation and breathing exercises help in balancing the raised blood pressure, say the experts. Smoking contributes to hardening of blood vessels of heart. Cholesterol and increased blood fats have been correlated with increased incidence of blood vessel disorder. Sedentary life and emotional stress also trigger high blood pressure, reason the lifestyle experts.
“Mind is the most important component in hypertension. Mind and body are one. They are not merely linked, but are interlocked and reflect each other. So relaxation and breath control through Pranayama like alternate nostril breathing help in controlling blood pressure,” says Yogacharya Ramesh Chand Sharma.
A naturopathy expert Dr Nagendra Neeraj from Yog gram said, “Citrus fruits like Mausami, Grape fruit, lauki (gourd) and watermelon are known to have very good results on patients with hypertension.” Giving natural treatment of hydrotherapy gives tremendous benefit in lowering blood pressure of patients having hypertension. Cold spinal bath, mud compress on head, abdomen and spine is useful in hypertension. Recommending the use of onion, Dr Nagendra said, “Onions have a positive effect on hypertensive patients as they contain Adenosine, a muscle relaxant. Intake of three to four raw onions in a day as salad for few days helps patients with hypertension become normal.” Giving a thumb rule of seven restrains, he says, keep stress, strain, salt, sugar, spicy foods, saturated fats, smoking and scotch away from life and keep hypertension at bay. Regular monitoring of the BP can help manage this disease in a better way, he adds.