World Hypertension Day – High blood pressure is a health threat affecting millions around the globe.
The risk of hypertension increases with factors like aging, high body weight, existence of diseases or disorders like diabetes and having a parent or sibling who is already living with this condition. Besides from knowing that it is a bad thing for your health, what do we really know about hypertension and the ways it affects our overall wellbeing?
According to a research, about 33% urban and 25% rural Indians are hypertensive. Of these, 25% rural and 42% urban Indians are aware of their hypertensive status. Only 25% rural and 38% of urban Indians are being treated for hypertension.
Check out 7 things you need to know about hypertension and your heart health on World Hypertension Day !
Hypertension is more common than you think
One in every three Indian adult has hypertension and hypertension accounts for 10% of deaths in a given year. Hypertension can affect anyone and everyone from kids to adults. What makes it more challenging is the fact that it’s not something that you can see and most of the times you can’t feel it either. Hence, people are not aware when they are affected with it.
Hypertension is known as a silent killer
Hypertension is not a condition that has specific symptoms and it can go undiagnosed for a long time. Though the symptoms are not specific, but it causes a lot of changes in your body internally that can have delirious health effects causing stroke, congestive heart failure, heart attacks and Kidney failure.
Hypertension is not a life-long disease and is reversible in some cases
Hypertension is caused by a spectrum of modifiable and un-modifiable factors. Hypertension can be caused die Un-modifiable factors like age, ethnicity and genetics can strongly increase your risk towards suffering from high blood pressure. Modifiable factors like diet, physical activity and lifestyle when corrected might help you to keep your blood pressure under check and in some cases even reverse it.
You should not leave your blood pressure untreated
High blood pressure in many cases is asymptomatic. Frequent blood pressure tests are highly recommended and are absolutely essential after the age of 40. High blood pressure affects your body in numerous ways internally and untreated high blood pressure puts you at a high risk of developing diabetes, kidney disorders, atherosclerosis and strokes. Do consult your physician for the right prevention or management intervention
Your diet plays a crucial role
An appointment with your dietitian can prove to be more fruitful than you think!
Diet is known to be an independent risk factor for developing high blood pressure. Your dietitian can help you prevent and manage your diet by suggesting modifications in your diet like reducing saturated fat intake, increasing fiber in your daily diet, introduction to functional foods and reducing the sodium content on your diet.
Hypertension is known to be a lifestyle disease
Hypertension is a lifestyle disease occurring due to an overall sedentary life. Tweaking your daily habits one at a time can make a huge difference in the prevention or management of high blood pressure.
Consistent physical activity plays a key role
Less physical activity leads to gaining those extra pounds that in combination increases your risk of contacting hypertension and gets you trapped in a vicious circle. Aerobic exercises are known to reduce your blood pressure and in turn aids in reaching the desirable weight. Your physiotherapist can suggest quick and fun activities to keep your blood pressure under a check.
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