What is Hypertension?

Hypertension is the medical term for high blood pressure. The force exerted on the major blood vessels in your body by blood flow is calculated as blood pressure. It is mentioned in two numbers – systolic and diastolic. The systolic number represents the pressure created by the heart when it beats or contracts. The diastolic number represents the pressure in the blood vessels when the heart is resting between beats.

Hypertension is long-term high blood pressure and can lead to a variety of health problems like heart disease, heart attack and stroke. It is important to keep your blood pressure under control to reduce the risk of developing these problems. If left unchecked, hypertension can make you critically ill and even cause death.

What are the causes of Hypertension?

There are two types of hypertension – primary and secondary. Primary hypertension has no identifiable cause and often develops as people grow older. Secondary hypertension is commonly caused by underlying conditions, such as:

• Kidney problems
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Thyroid problems
• Tumours in the adrenal glands
• Congenital defects of the blood vessels
• Reaction to certain medication such as cold remedies, birth control pills and painkillers
• Drug use

Some risk factors that can increase your chances of developing hypertension include:

• Age
• Family history
• Sedentary or lazy lifestyle
• Obesity or being overweight
• High-salt diet
• High consumption of alcohol
• Smoking
• Stress
• Chronic conditions like diabetes and kidney disease

Treatment and management

The first line of treatment for hypertension is making lifestyle changes. This includes following a regular physical exercise regime and eating a healthy, fibre-rich diet. People with hypertension are suggested to follow low-salt diets. Quitting smoking and reduced alcohol consumption can also bring down blood pressure levels.

Managing or avoiding stress can have a positive impact on your hypertension. Yoga, warm baths, taking long walks and meditation can bring down your blood pressure. If necessary, your doctor can prescribe antihypertensive medication to manage blood pressure levels.