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How To Manage High Blood Pressure?

In India, at least 23.10% of men and 22.60% of women above 25 years of age are patients with high blood pressure.

High Blood Pressure is also known as the silent killer as it goes undetected until a considerable amount of damage has been done to the arteries. Roughly, about 15 lakh Indians suffer from this condition.

Dealing with high blood pressure can be a pain as it needs a change in the lifestyle, eating habits and a strict medical regime. It is important that one sticks to the routine check-ups and medical follow-ups religiously to avoid life-threatening aftereffects.

Blood pressure (BP), should normally be below 120/80 mmHg most of the time, anything more than that, needs medical attention. As a patient with hypertension and high blood pressure, please take note of the health precautions to be followed:

Stick to a diet plan and exercise daily. Exercising for at least 30 minutes a day is mandatory.
Salt intake should be strictly monitored. Sodium intake on any given day should be kept below 2.4 gm.
Ask your doctor about salts that are sodium free and can be used to replace common table salt. Go through the components (minerals) present in the substituted products and cross check that they don’t have any harmful effects on your health.
Stick to your medication schedule and preferably have a fixed time for taking your pills.
Hypertension can have a negative impact on the blood vessels and other organs. Doctors recommend getting a routine check-up and tests done from time to time.

The DASH diet is low in salt and rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, and lean protein. DASH stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. The diet was first created to help lower high blood pressure. It is also a healthy way to lose weight.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD

Medical follow-ups that are required are:

Blood Tests – This would also include measurement of electrolytes in the blood and the blood urea nitrogen and the creatinine levels.
Urine Tests – These need to be done regularly to observe the electrolytes and hormone levels present in the urine.
Ultrasound or a CT Scan of the abdomen is needed to check for any enlargement of the kidneys and adrenal glands.
Tests need to be done to check the hormonal activity of thyroid and the adrenal glands.

Measuring blood pressure twice a day can provide you with more optimal blood pressure reading reducing the chances of fluctuations in the blood pressure. Take it first in the morning before eating or taking any medications. Take it again in the evening.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D

Regular eye checkups are recommended to check if there is any ocular damage.

Lipid profile needs to be checked to check the cholesterol levels.

High BP can cause damage to the heart and the blood vessels and hence, it is recommended that an ECG (Electrocardiogram), echocardiogram or a Doppler Ultrasound is when the doctor finds it necessary.

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

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Hypotension: It’s Types, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

In medical parlance, Hypotension is basically low blood pressure. In this condition, the blood pressure typically falls below a Systolic value of 90 and a Diastolic value of 60.

Within prescribed limits, a low blood pressure reading is generally good. However, sometimes this condition can result in dizziness and tiredness. But if there are no adverse symptoms as such, then there is nothing to worry about.

Types of Hypotension

Health issues start to crop up when the blood pressure drops suddenly and the brain is deprived of an adequate supply of oxygen.

These sudden drops occur when a person stands up from a lying down or sitting position. This kind of Hypotension is called Postural Hypotension.
For some patients, the blood pressure may also fall when standing for a long period of time. This type of low blood pressure is called Neurally Mediated Hypotension.
If a patient faints because of the body’s overreaction to certain triggers, it is called Vasovagal Syncope.
Some people always record low blood pressure. This form of Hypotension is called Chronic Asymptomatic Hypotension and is usually unharmful.

Additionally, shock can also cause a sudden and strong drop in blood pressure called severe hypotension. Shock is usually caused by an injury or an infection. Another form of hypotension occurs in people who take medication for hypertension (high blood pressure). This can happen either due to too much medication, changes in the body or due to dietary choices (certain foods can lower blood pressure).

Causes of Hypotension

The dropping of blood pressure is a normal scenario. However, certain conditions cause extended periods of Hypotension such as:

Infections in the bloodstream
Diabetes
Thyroid
Blood loss due to injury
Weakness due to dehydration
Pregnancy
Hypertension and antidepressant medications
Dehydration (caused by vomiting, diarrhoea, not drinking enough water)
Heart conditions that affect circulation
Allergic reactions

Hypotension causes cover a wide range of things, treating these underlying causes will usually return your pressure to normal.

Older adults also have a higher risk of symptoms of low blood pressure, such as falls, fainting, or dizziness when standing or after a meal.[4] If the blood pressure is sufficiently low, fainting (syncope) may occur
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD

Symptoms of Hypotension

Some noticeable symptoms that should raise alarm bells include:

Unsteadiness
Blurry vision
Lack of concentration
Fatigue
Depression
Nausea
Pale skin
Rapid and low breathing

Hypotension symptoms may also include lightheadedness, dizziness, sweaty/clammy skin and fainting.

Hypotension in pregnancy can have a severe impact on the mother and the baby as it may cause brain damage to the fetus, cause low birth weight or premature birth.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D.

Treatment

For many patients, these underlying symptoms can be effectively addressed by bringing about relevant changes in the diet and lifestyle.

Simple, good to implement practices are:

Limit the intake of alcoholic beverages.
Increase the intake of water during hot, torrid weather conditions and especially when down with a viral infection.
Adhere to a high-salt intake diet.
Participate in regular physical activities to augment the blood flow.
Avoid standing or sitting in one position for a long duration.
Be prudent and cautious while arising from a lying down and sitting position. One best practice: Thrust your feet and ankles with force a couple of times before you stand up, this will help to aid blood circulation. In the morning, when you are ready to get out of bed, sit upright on the edge of the bed for a few moments and then stand. This will give you better control as you stand up on your feet.
To avoid periods of dizziness, try eating light and smaller meals at regular intervals and evade any strenuous activities immediately post eating.
Cut down on your carbohydrate intake.
Consult a doctor on the usage of elastic stockings that cover your calf and thigh area. This may help in restricting the blood flow to the lower part of the body thereby keeping more blood in the upper part.

Can Farting Help You Reduce High Blood Pressure?

A lot of people often say that letting loose is the best way to deal with high blood pressure, but it now looks like letting one loose could be just as effective!

High blood pressure is one of the major health concerns for individuals and families across the world. The causes for this condition are many, ranging from age and diet to lifestyle choices such as smoking and alcohol consumption. Experienced doctors often prescribe physical exercise and a non-sedentary lifestyle to help lower one’s blood pressure.

However, there seems to be a very unconventional way in which the body itself is regulating blood pressure. It may cause quite a stink in some circles, but it has been shown that foul-smelling farts may actually be the consequence of the body trying to cut down its blood pressure.

Excessive flatulence, or flatulence accompanied by pain in the abdomen or diarrhoea should be evaluated by a physician as it may be a sign of irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease or gastroparesis.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D

This was discovered in a study conducted at John Hopkins University, Maryland, the USA, which was reported widely by renowned publications such as the BBC. The study discovered that Hydrogen Sulfide, the chemical that adds the foul to a foul-smelling fart, was not only produced in the intestines, but also by an enzyme responsible for relaxing blood vessels.

It was earlier believed that Nitric Oxide was the sole chemical produced by the body that helped to regulate blood pressure by acting as a signalling molecule for the cardiovascular system. In fact, this discovery by three American scientists- Robert Furchgott, Louis Ignarro, and Ferid Murad, won the Nobel Prize for medicine in 1998.

Also Read: Why Does My Poop Smell So Bad? Unpacking Digestive Health Concerns

But it now looks like Hydrogen Sulfide also plays a similar physiological role in the human body. So much so that some scientists are now speculating that pharmaceutical companies may soon develop ‘fart pills’ that would be prescribed to those suffering from high blood pressure.

While all of these fart related medical miracles are being developed, it is important to remember that just farting alone will not save you. High blood pressure can also be dealt with by an active exercise regime, a good diet, and abstinence from smoking and alcohol. All of these changes combined could be just what your cardiovascular system needs to function smoothly once again.

Stretching the intestinal wall in young healthy people causes an increase in muscle sympathetic nerve activity and in blood pressure called the gastrovascular reflex. Hence farting may help in temporarily reducing BP not on a long term.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD

So, the next time you feel the need to break the wind, just close your eyes, let it out, and think about how good it is for your blood pressure. Let’s just hope that the people around you also appreciate the medical importance of your actions!

Also Read: Treating Hypertension : 5 Effective Ways

8 Reasons That Can Cause High Blood Pressure!

The blood flowing through your heart, arteries, and veins exerts pressure on the blood vessels; this is called blood pressure. In people with high blood pressure, the heart works harder due to the hardening of the blood vessels. Over time, this condition may lead to stroke, kidney diseases, and even heart failure. Here are the top 8 reasons why are suffering from high blood pressure, some of which you can easily correct:

Genetic Predisposition: Indians are genetically predisposed to heart diseases. According to a study, a genetic mutation affecting 4% of Indians makes them susceptible to the formation of an abnormal protein that may lead to the deterioration of heart muscles.
Family History: Having a family history of heart disease with parents or older siblings having a heart attack before the age of 55 increases one’s risk of developing heart diseases by 50%.
Medicines: Certain medicines such as contraceptive pills, antacids, anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and even certain cough and cold medicines increase fluid retention in our bodies, exert pressure on the heart, and contribute to high blood pressure. Avoid self-medication.
Weight: Being overweight exerts unnecessary pressure on our heart vessels, making them work harder and leads to hypertension. Controlling your weight is important to manage high blood pressure.
Diabetes: Having high blood sugar levels hardens the blood vessels of the heart. Most diabetic patients develop high blood pressure over a period. Control your diabetes, and don’t skip medication.
Congenital defects: High blood pressure can be a result of certain birth defects in the heart that tend to show up only with age. Talk to your doctor about checking for defects if you have a family history of heart diseases.
Drugs and alcohol: Intoxicating yourself with drugs such as cocaine and other party drugs exert great pressure on the heart. Regular intake of alcohol raises blood pressure, increases weight, and weakens the heart muscles leading to heart diseases.
Lifestyle: Genetic predisposition and a family history of heart diseases will not cause high blood pressure if a person has a healthy lifestyle with a proper diet and exercise regime. Lifestyle factors play a major role in managing high blood pressure

Must Read: How To Control High Blood Pressure?

Sedentary lifestyle: With an increase in age and responsibilities, physical health takes a backseat. A sedentary lifestyle is one of the major causes of developing high blood pressure and other related diseases.

Dietary Patterns: Bad food habits such as skipping breakfast, a high-fat diet accompanied with low fruit and vegetable intake all contribute to the development of high blood pressure.

Stress: Stress spikes blood pressure levels. In the long run, this adds up over time and leads to the development of hypertension.