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World Hypertension Day 2016: Time to Drop the Pressure

World Hypertension Day 2016: Time to Drop the Pressure
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Every year, 17 May is observed as World Hypertension Day (WHD). This is an initiative of the World Hypertension League (WHL), an affiliated section of the ISH.

The WHD was first inaugurated in May 2005 and has become an annual event ever since. The purpose of the WHD is to promote public awareness of hypertension and to encourage citizens of all countries to prevent and control this silent killer, the modern epidemic.

The theme for World Hypertension Day 2016 is Know Your Numbers with a goal of increasing high blood pressure (BP) awareness in all populations around the world.

World Hypertension Day

One of the heavyweights in the category of lifestyle diseases that are becoming mass killers, hypertension or high blood pressure is definitely a cause of concern. Characterised by elevated blood pressure, it is the principal cause of heart-attacks, strokes and kidney failure. Most often it is diagnosed in the later stages when it is difficult to reverse the condition. This is because it doesn’t reflect immediate symptoms. A person is diagnosed with high blood pressure when the readings are consistently 140 over 90 or higher through a number of weeks, and this could be due to a number of factors, including stress and lifestyle habits.

With 30 per cent of deaths in India attributed to hypertension and diseases triggered by it, health experts across the country cautioned youngsters to regulate their eating habits and improve fitness in order to prevent the health condition, which has risen 20 per cent among the youth.

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What causes hypertension?

The experts also said that due to the unorganised medical health system in India, youth were becoming victims of hypertension and other major health complications triggered by it, including brain hemorrhage. According to a study done by Sapienza University of Rome, high blood pressure can also damage nerve tracts that connects different parts of the brain. Using a new imaging technique, it found that the area of brain damage detected is linked to difficulties in certain cognitive skills, decision-making and the ability to regulate emotions.

“One in four individuals above 25 years in India has hypertension and it is increasing at an alarming pace. Reducing salt intake, stopping tobacco use, reducing stress by slowing down, yoga or meditation and increasing physical activity are some of the key strategies to reduce blood pressure,” said A. Muruganathan, president, Hypertension Society of India.

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Emphasising that one should always get checked up for the condition early, he said that ignorance can lead to a stage where hypertension cannot be reversed.

“Reversing it may be more difficult if not impossible. Get your blood pressure checked every year as hypertension often has no symptoms and delayed diagnosis can cause harm to some key organs like kidney, eye, brain, heart etc. If diagnosed with hypertension, take drugs without fail and change your lifestyle,” he said.

Currently the world has over 9.4 million people suffering from hypertension and the figure is on a constant rise.

S.S. Das, head of critical care and cardiology at Kolkata-based Mercy Hospital, said, “The current scenario is such that youngsters constantly are on working hours who hardly get the time to exercise and follow a proper diet. This leads to hypertension. Diabetes is found commonly among youths in the 20s and 30s age group. A sedentary lifestyle only exacerbates the situation.”

One of the lifestyle diseases that are becoming mass killers is #hypertension Click To Tweet

Asked if other countries were also witnessing their youths suffering from hypertension, he said, “The scenario in the world is the same, but as the medical system in Western and South Asian countries such as China is very much organised and focused, they are easily able to tackle the problem.”

The experts also said that many of people indulge in self-medication, which leads to other problems including thickening of blood vessels and kidney ailments.

Kenneth Thorpe, Chairman, Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, said: “To efficiently tackle modern lifestyle diseases like hypertension, we need to move from curative to preventive care. Regular health check-ups, reduction of salt, sugar intake, promoting physical activity, early detection and treatment are some of the possible ways to have a preventive approach towards such diseases.”

According to him, over 20 crore people are on the verge of stepping into the dangerous zone of hypertension. He said lifestyle modifications, including salt restriction, diet full of fruits and vegetables are more important in day-to-day life.

Inputs from IANS


Comments (8)

  • Hi Sonal,

    I was discussing this very subject with my brother and cousin at the weekend when we met up for lunch. Just to show the different attitudes to health problems I’ll tell you the story.

    A few years ago my brother was found to have borderline high blookd pressure so his doctor wanted to put him on medication. He asked the doctor if he would be able to stop taking the medication once his blood pressure was lower. The doctor replied that he would have to keep taking the drug for the rest of his life. “No thanks”, he said, “I’ll find another way of reducing it”. I told him about studies that showed that drinking beet (beetroot) juice could lower blood pressure. He did that and his blood pressure reduced and has stayed in the normal range ever since.

    My cousin, on the other hand, who is overweight thought that his blood pressure was due to old age and wasn’t interested in reducing it with diet at all. He just wanted the medication and is quite happy to take it for the rest of his life.

    Kenneth Thorpe is quite right about lifestyle medifications. Many people have successfully reduced their blood pressure with the advice he gives. Vegetable juices other than beet juice work too.
    Sandy Halliday recently posted…5 Day Raw Food Detox | Detox RecipesMy Profile

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      Hi Sandy

      First of all hats off to your brother for being so confident. I feel that it is the right way to go for natural things than the doctor’s medication. Its good to hear that he said he will find his way. You should be proud of him for achieving this.

      Our eating habits and our lifestyle leads to the problem of hypertension. If we modify that we can protect our health.

      Thanks fro sharing it Sandy!

      Have a nice day!

  • Hi Sonal,

    Hypertension awareness is very important. Here, in the U.S. as far as I know, it is not so commonly talked about. My grandmother had that, so I was always aware and checked for it. Hypertension really came down to her salty diet.

    The main stream people in the U.S. eat a lot of fast food, or microwave ready food which has tons of sodium in it. I wouldn’t be surprised if hypertension is a factor her in young people. I do hear many taking medicine for “anxiety” which, can be confused with hypertension.

    I’m not a doctor nor have any medical experience, but just an observation. Here, we have commercials on T.V. telling people it is healthy to eat together as a family. The family unit is so non-traditional, that it is a dying phase for a a parent to cook dinner with real food, and sit around the table with the family. Maybe it is the main cause of hypertension in young adults here but we haven’t even given it a thought. So sad.

    -Donna
    Donna Merrill recently posted…Run Your Blog Like You Would Run A StoreMy Profile

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      Hi Donna

      You are absolutely right! Hypertension awareness is very important. Here in India its a very common thing. Every other person is suffering from high BP. Even my mom has it, so I try to be cautious and keep a regular check on it.

      Today the situation is such that even kids are suffering from hypertension, The reason is faulty eating habits.

      I hope people become aware about it and prevent themselves as it has many bad effects.

      Thanks fro sharing your views Donna!

      Have a nice day!

  • Hi Sonal,
    How are you my friend 🙂 I have had issues with hypertension on and off for many years.. It’s controlled now. What helped me was learning Meditation – that is such a life savor and can be for so many …
    Lesly T. Federici recently posted…Introducing UnravelingMy Profile

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      Hi Lesly

      I guess you are quite right about meditation. My mom has the problem of hypertension. Will definitely suggest her this – hope it helps.

      Thanks for sharing your views

      Have a nice day!

  • Thanks Sonal for this valuable post. I loved it. I know I always say this…But I do really mean it… You are a great writer, your articles are short but they are up to their points!
    Andy James recently posted…Just 1 Guaranteed Way of getting your hair back. Don’t loose hope just yet!My Profile

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