10 Effective Ways to Manage Hypertension

By Dr. Punish Sadana in Cardiac Sciences

Jan 25 , 2023 | 1 min read

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, refers to the high force of blood pushing against the artery wall. It is one of the more common conditions that affects the Indian population. It is estimated that 1 in 4 individuals have hypertension in India but very few people have it under control.

Additionally, cardiovascular diseases like heart attacks and strokes are some of the most common causes of death in India. High blood pressure is a risk factor for cardiovascular conditions and must be kept in check so that the functioning of other body parts is not affected. Hypertension is also called the ‘silent killer’ due to its lack of symptoms.

Normal blood pressure is considered to be 120/80 mm Hg. Any number over 130/80mm Hg or higher is considered to be high blood pressure.

Types of Hypertension

Hypertension is of two types:

Primary hypertension - Primary hypertension or essential hypertension does not have a medical cause. It develops over the years; family history, diet, alcohol consumption, smoking, high salt intake, sedentary lifestyle and obesity may contribute to primary hypertension.
Secondary hypertension - Secondary hypertension usually has an underlying medical condition that may be causing hypertension (high blood pressure). It usually comes on suddenly and is a complication of other conditions. Some conditions that may lead to secondary hypertension include:

Kidney disease
Sleep Apnoea
Thyroid conditions
Illegal drug usage like amphetamines and cocaine
Diabetes
Cushing’s disease
Pregnancy
Congenital conditions
Vascular conditions

Symptoms of Hypertension

Most people who do have hypertension may not experience symptoms. However, some symptoms of hypertension include:

Shortness of breath
Nosebleeds
Headaches
Irregular heart rhythm
Sweating
Anxiety
Fatigue
Visual disturbances

Complication of Hypertension

Untreated high blood pressure can lead to other conditions, such as:

Chest pain, also known as angina
Strokes
Heart attacks
Kidney dysfunction
Aneurysms
Metabolic syndromes
Heart failure
Changes in understanding and memory

Risk Factors of Hypertension

Risk factors that increase the chances of one developing hypertension include:-

Family history
High sodium diet
Excessive consumption of alcohol
Stress
Chronic conditions
Pregnancy
Smoking
Use of tobacco and its products
Obesity
Sedentary lifestyle
Lack of exercise

10 Effective Ways to Control Hypertension

High blood pressure can be managed by taking simple measures. Some of those measures are:

Eat a balanced, healthy diet full of vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes, low fat dairy and lean protein.
Reduce the intake of highly processed foods with high sodium content can be beneficial
Exercise regularly
Check your blood pressure regularly
Limit alcohol intake
Quit smoking and tobacco products
Invest in a good blood pressure machine
Manage stress
Take medications on time - set an alarm and switch it off only once you have taken your medication.
Get plenty of sleep, like 7-9 hours.