World Hypertension Day May 17- Causes, Symptoms and Prevention

World Hypertension Day is marked on May 17^th every year. Hypertension or High Blood Pressure is a lifestyle disease which affects more than 30 per cent of the adult population worldwide. It is prevalent within all age groups, courtesy the unhealthy dietary patterns and increased stress levels.

Your blood pressure measurement takes into account how much blood is passing through your blood vessels and the amount of resistance the blood meets while the heart is pumping.

Narrow arteries increase resistance. The narrower your arteries are, the higher your blood pressure will be. Over the long term, increased pressure can cause health issues, including heart disease.

Early detection is important. Regular blood pressure readings can help you and your doctor notice any changes.

History and significance

Launched on  May 14, 2005, The World Hypertension League has been dedicating May 17 of every year as World Hypertension Day ever since 2006. While the inaugural theme in 2005 was ‘Awareness of high blood pressure’, in 2006 it was ‘Treat to goal’ and through different themes each year, the WHL intends to not only raise awareness about hypertension but also of its factors and prevention methods since it affects more than 30 percent of the adult population worldwide which accounts for more than one billion people around the world.

Risk Factors for Blood Pressure

Modifiable risk factors include unhealthy diets (excessive salt consumption, a diet high in saturated fat and trans fats, low intake of fruits and vegetables). Lack of  physical inactivity, consumption of tobacco and alcohol, and being overweight..

Non-modifiable risk factors include a family history of hypertension, age over 65 years and co-existing diseases such as diabetes or kidney disease.

Hypertension is called a “silent killer”. Many people are unaware of the problem because it may have no warning signs or symptoms. For this reason, it is essential that blood pressure is measured regularly.

When symptoms do occur, they can include early morning headaches, nosebleeds, irregular heart rhythms, vision changes, and buzzing in the ears. Severe hypertension can cause fatigue, nausea, vomiting, confusion, anxiety, chest pain, and muscle tremors.

A study was published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, affiliated to the  European Society of Cardiology (ESC) says.

“Even if they feel healthy, women should have their blood pressure measured by their primary care physician and repeated at regular intervals with the frequency-dependent on the level,” said study author Dr Ester Kringeland of the University of Bergen, Norway. “Those with other risk factors for heart disease, such as obesity, diabetes, autoimmune disorders and  pregnancy complications.”

Previous studies have suggested that high blood pressure is a stronger risk factor for heart disease in women than in men. In addition, young and middle-aged women have on average lower blood pressure than men, but despite this, the threshold for diagnosing high blood pressure is the same in both sexes. This study investigated whether mildly elevated blood pressure (130-139/80-89 mmHg) was a stronger risk factor for acute coronary syndromes in women than in men.

Steps to control Hypertension

Slowly work your way up to eating more servings of plant based food.  Aim to eat more than seven servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Then aim to add one more serving per day for two weeks.

Have a Balanced Diet

Try to avoid meat and packaged food which have high salt content. Also, avoid sugar –sweetened  foods, including cold drinks and sodas.

Work  towards fat loss

Focus on  calorie deficit model to burn fat.  Then decide on what physical activity you can start in order to reach that goal. If exercising five nights a week is too hard to work into your schedule, aim for  three times a week. you can do simple or brisk walking.

Yoga

Yoga can go a long way in controlling High Blood Pressure. Shavasana, Bhujangasana, Anulom Vilom, Vajrasana and many other asanas are recommended. Avoid forward bending asanas or balancing postures if you suffer high blood pressure.

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