High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a chronic medical condition characterized by high blood pressure in the arteries. Blood pressure is a measure of the force exerted by blood against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps it throughout the body. It is usually expressed as two values: systolic pressure over diastolic pressure (eg, 120/80 mmHg).
Dr Manish Chhabria, Consultant Neurologist, Reliance Foundation Hospital, Mumbai, told IANS: “The brain depends on nutrition from a constant blood supply to function properly. Hypertension silently damages our arteries (blood vessels) over the years.” can deliver.” ,
“High blood pressure is a common health problem around the world and is often referred to as the ‘silent killer’ because it does not usually cause noticeable symptoms. However, if left uncontrolled or untreated, high High blood pressure can lead to serious complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney damage, and other health issues,” Dr. Shuchin Bajaj, Founder and Director, Ujala Cygnus Group of Hospitals said.
There are two main types of high blood pressure. Primary or essential hypertension is the most common type of hypertension, accounting for about 90–95 percent of cases. The exact cause is unknown, but it is believed to develop gradually over time due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors, including lifestyle habits such as poor diet, lack of exercise, obesity, smoking, and stress.
The secondary type of high blood pressure is caused by an underlying health condition or medication. It usually appears suddenly and causes higher blood pressure levels than primary hypertension. Underlying causes may include kidney disease, hormonal disorders, certain medications (eg, oral contraceptives, decongestants), sleep apnea, and alcohol abuse.
According to Dr. Ashutosh Shukla, Senior Director and Medical Consultant, Max Hospital, Gurugram, the prevalence of lifestyle diseases like hypertension has increased significantly in the post-Covid era.
“In urban cities like Delhi-NCR, one in every four adults suffers from hypertension, and even young people are being diagnosed with the condition,” he added.
Dr Rajeev Gupta, Director of Internal Medicine, CK Birla Hospital, Delhi, said, “Stress can be a significant factor in increasing the blood pressure levels in our body.”
“When we encounter stress, our body reacts by releasing hormones that constrict our blood vessels, which can increase blood pressure. If not managed over time, chronic stress can constrict our blood vessels. This can damage the blood vessels, which can lead to high blood pressure and other health conditions. Therefore, it is important to control stress levels to keep blood pressure under control.”
Doctors said that managing high blood pressure often involves a combination of lifestyle changes.
To avoid becoming a patient of hypertension, it is advised to maintain a healthy lifestyle, eat a healthy diet and avoid foods with excessive salt.
Limiting alcohol intake, avoiding tobacco and smoking, getting 7-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep, reducing stress, and practicing meditation and yoga regularly can be beneficial.
Regular checkups with a doctor to monitor blood pressure levels are also important as high blood pressure can be subtle and asymptomatic in the early stages.