Hypertension: How to Prevent it

Hypertension is the medical name for high blood pressure; it’s an insidious and dangerous condition. It’s dangerous because it has a serious effect on the body such as stroke and heart problem. It’s insidious because no symptoms show up until it reaches a life threatening level. It’s better to learn the causes of this condition as it would help in avoiding it.

Condition of hypertension arises when the arterial vessels get narrowed thus increasing the pressure of the blood flowing through them .Thus in order to maintain adequate blood flow through the arteries heart has to work much harder due to which blood vessels and heart get damaged if the condition is allowed to continue unchecked thus leading to stroke, kidney damage or heart failure. It is estimated that more than 30% of hypertension sufferers are not aware of their condition.

The instrument used to measure blood pressure is known as sphygmomanometer also called as the blood pressure cuff. The blood pressure is measured as milligrams of mercury, abbreviated to ‘mm HG’. Thus we get two numbers from the test– the first number denotes the systolic pressure, it is the pressure produced when the heart contracts and pump out the blood. The second number represents the diastolic pressure, it is the pressure at which the blood flows back into the heart. In an adult, 120/80 mm HG is regarded as the normal blood pressure. When it shoots above 140/90 mm Hg, this is considered the indicator for hypertension.

Doctors classify hypertension into two categories:

Primary hypertension:- When there is no cause for the condition.

Secondary hypertension:- When due to diseases like liver disease or kidney failure, or due to side effect of medications, hypertension takes place.

Large quantities of salt in the diet, a sedentary lifestyle, obesity and excessive alcohol consumption are all related to the development and complications of hypertension.

If treated not properly then hypertension could lead to very serious conditions. It could lead to hardening of blood vessels thus making them less flexible and more susceptible to build up of fatty deposits. This condition is also known as ‘hardening of arteries’

Hypertension can be prevented by exercising regularly, avoiding smoking and reducing alcohol consumption. In case a healthy lifestyle doesn’t lead to an improvement in the condition of the patient then medication are also available for that .A good healthy lifestyle is the best way to deal with hypertension.