Hypertension or High Blood Pressure: Every year 16 lakh deaths in the country are due to high blood pressure. Most people believe that high blood pressure only causes heart diseases and strokes. The truth is that apart from heart and brain stroke, it affects many other parts of the body.
Higher blood pressure increases the risk of glaucoma and retinopathy. Eye-sighting may stop. In addition to increasing depression, there may be problems related to sex. Experts say that due to increase in blood pressure, calcium starts coming out instead of staying in the body and bones can become weak.
Treatment and changes in lifestyle can help you to control high blood pressure to reduce risk of life-threatening complications.
Here’s the complications due to high blood pressure can cause.
Damage to your arteries
Healthy arteries are flexible, strong and flexible. Their inner lining is smooth so that blood circulates freely, supplying crucial organs and tissues with nutrients and oxygen.
Hypertension gradually over time increases the pressure of blood circulating through your arteries. As a result, you may have:
- Damaged and narrowed arteries. Hypertension can damage the cells of your arteries’ inner lining. When fats from your diet plan enter your bloodstream, they can collect in the harmed arteries. Eventually, your artery walls end up being less elastic, restricting blood circulation throughout your body.
- Aneurysm. Over time, the continuous pressure of blood moving through a weakened artery can cause an area of its wall to enlarge and form a bulge (aneurysm). An aneurysm can potentially burst and trigger life-threatening internal bleeding. Aneurysms can form in any artery, but they’re most common in your body’s largest artery (aorta).
Damage to your heart
Hypertension can trigger numerous issues for your heart, including:
- Coronary artery illness. Arteries narrowed and damaged by hypertension have problem providing blood to your heart. When blood can’t flow freely to your heart, you can have chest discomfort (angina), irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias) or a cardiovascular disease.
- Enlarged left heart. High blood pressure forces your heart to work more difficult to pump blood to the rest of your body. This triggers part of your heart (left ventricle) to thicken. A thickened left ventricle boosts your danger of cardiac arrest, heart failure and sudden heart death.
- Cardiac arrest. Gradually, the stress on your heart triggered by high blood pressure can trigger the heart muscle to damage and work less effectively. Ultimately, your overwhelmed heart starts to fail. Damage from heart attacks contributes to this issue.
Damage to your brain
Your brain depends on a nourishing blood supply to work appropriately. However high blood pressure can cause several problems, including:
- Transient ischemic attack (TIA). Often called a ministroke, is a short, temporary interruption of blood supply to your brain. Hardened arteries or blood clots brought on by hypertension can cause TIA. TIA is often a caution that you’re at danger of a full-blown stroke.
- Stroke. A stroke happens when part of your brain is deprived of oxygen and nutrients, triggering brain cells to die. Blood vessels harmed by hypertension can narrow, burst or leakage. Hypertension can also cause blood clots to form in the arteries leading to your brain, obstructing blood circulation and possibly causing a stroke.
- Dementia. Narrowed or blocked arteries can restrict blood flow to the brain, causing a specific kind of dementia (vascular dementia). A stroke that interrupts blood flow to the brain can likewise cause vascular dementia.
- Mild cognitive disability. This condition is a transition phase between the changes in understanding and memory that generally include aging and the more-serious problems caused by dementia. Studies suggest that high blood pressure can lead to moderate cognitive disability.
Damage to your kidneys
Kidneys filter excess fluid and waste from your blood– a procedure that needs healthy blood vessels. High blood pressure can harm the capillary in and resulting in your kidneys. Having diabetes in addition to high blood pressure can intensify the damage.
Kidney issues brought on by hypertension consist of:
- Kidney scarring (glomerulosclerosis). This kind of kidney damage occurs when tiny capillary within the kidney become scarred and not able to effectively filter fluid and waste from your blood. Glomerulosclerosis can lead to kidney failure.
- Kidney failure. Hypertension is one of the most typical causes of kidney failure. Damaged capillary prevent kidneys from efficiently filtering waste from your blood, allowing hazardous levels of fluid and waste to collect. You might ultimately need dialysis or kidney transplantation.
Damage to your eyes
High blood pressure can damage the small, fragile capillary that provide blood to your eyes, triggering:
- Damage to your retina (retinopathy). Damage to the light-sensitive tissue at the back of your eye (retina) can result in bleeding in the eye, blurred vision and complete loss of vision. You’re at an even higher danger if you have diabetes in addition to hypertension.
- Fluid accumulation under the retina (choroidopathy). Choroidopathy can lead to distorted vision or often scarring that impairs vision.
- Nerve damage (optic neuropathy). Obstructed blood flow can damage the optic nerve, leading to bleeding within your eye or vision loss.
Sexual dysfunction
The inability to have and preserve an erection (impotence) ends up being progressively common in guys as they reach age 50. But males with high blood pressure are even more most likely to experience impotence. That’s because restricted blood flow triggered by high blood pressure can block blood from streaming to your penis.
Females can also experience sexual dysfunction as a result of high blood pressure. Reduced blood circulation to the vaginal area can result in a reduction in sexual desire or stimulation, vaginal dryness, or difficulty accomplishing orgasm.
High blood pressure emergency situations
Hypertension is normally a persistent condition that slowly triggers damage throughout the years. However sometimes blood pressure rises so quickly and severely that it becomes a medical emergency requiring instant treatment, typically with hospitalization.
Risk factor of High Blood Pressure:
- Amnesia, personality changes, trouble concentrating, irritability or progressive loss of consciousness
- Stroke
- Serious damage to your body’s main artery (aortic dissection).
- Chest discomfort.
- Heart attack.
- Sudden impaired pumping of the heart, leading to fluid backup in the lungs leading to shortness of breath (lung edema).
- Abrupt loss of kidney function.
- Problems in pregnancy (preeclampsia or eclampsia).
- Blindness.
Can high blood pressure be controlled without medication? Then, how to control High Blood Pressure without medicine?
Here is the list of foods, which can control the increased blood pressure.
1. Include oranges, lemons and grapes in your diet.
If blood pressure is high, then include sour fruits like oranges, lemons and grapes in the diet, they will control BP. It has a variety of vitamins, minerals and plant compounds that keep the heart healthy. Research has also been done on this. In the research, 101 Japanese women drank a certain amount of lemonade for 5 months. Blood pressure was confirmed to be normal in the result.
2. Pumpkin seeds and oil both reduce BP
pumpkin seeds contain magnesium, potassium, arginine, and amino acids that reduce blood pressure while keeping the arteries relaxed. The oil of these seeds is also effective. In one research, 23 women suffering from high blood pressure were given oil of pumpkin seeds as a dose. The result of decreased blood pressure was revealed in the result.
3. Increase the amount of pulses and beans in the food
8 different types of research related to blood pressure revealed that pulses and legumes are beneficial for these patients. They contain fiber, magnesium and potassium, which decreases the increased blood pressure. Research on 554 people has proved this.
4. Carrot BP reduces inflammation of the arteries; 17 people were given 473 ml carrot juice for 3 months. Research has proved that carrot also controls BP. Research says, a significant amount of phenolic compound is found in carrots, which reduces arterial inflammation. As a result, BP remains under control.
5. Tomato reduces the risk of heart disease. In research found one thing, that lycopene present in tomato, it is beneficial for heart patients. It reduces the risk of heart diseases by controlling blood pressure.
By including these 5 things in your diet from next time, you can reduce the risk of many diseases related to heart, kidney, brain and eyes.
Which food avoid in high blood pressure?
- Butter and margarine.
- Regular salad dressings.
- Fatty meats.
- Whole milk dairy products.
- Fried foods.
- Salted snacks.
- Canned soups.
- Fast foods.
- Deli meats.
Foods to avoid are high in sodium?
- Processed foods such as lunch meats, sausage, bacon, and ham.
- Canned soups, bouillon, dried soup mixes.
- Deli meats.
- Condiments (catsup, soy sauce, salad dressings).
- Frozen and boxed mixes for potatoes, rice, and pasta.
- Snack foods (pretzels, popcorn, peanuts, chips).
- Pickled or marinated food in brine. (Vinegar- and lemon juice-based marinades are ok.)
How does salt increase blood pressure?
Salt is mostly sodium, a mineral that occurs naturally in foods. Sodium is the substance that may cause your blood pressure to increase. When you eat too much salt, which contains sodium, your body holds extra water to “wash” the salt from your body. In some people, this may cause blood pressure to rise. The added water puts stress on your heart and blood vessels.
How much sodium is too much?
The American Heart Association recommends limiting daily sodium intake no more than 1,500 milligrams. (A teaspoon of salt has about 2,400 milligrams of sodium.)
How can I reduce my sodium intake?
- Don’t use table salt.
- Read nutrition labels and choose foods lower in sodium.
- Choose foods marked “sodium-free,” “low sodium,” and “unsalted.”
- Use salt substitutes (ask your healthcare provider first).
- Don’t use lite salt as a substitute.
- Read content labels. (Contents are listed in order of greatest amount.)
- Purchase sodium-free herbs and seasoning mixes.
Regular exercise and healthy diet can reduce high blood pressure. Changes in Lifestyle can lower your blood pressure and keep it down.
Here are 10 way of life changes you can make to reduce your high BP.
1. Lose additional pounds and see your waistline
Blood pressure typically increases as weight boosts. Being overweight likewise can trigger disrupted breathing while you sleep, which even more raises your high blood pressure.
Weight-loss is among the most reliable lifestyle changes for controlling blood pressure. Losing even a small amount of weight if you’re overweight or overweight can help in reducing your blood pressure. In general, you may lower your blood pressure by about 1 millimeter of mercury (mm Hg) with each kg (about 2.2 pounds) of weight you lose.
Shedding pounds, you usually should likewise keep an eye on your waistline. Carrying excessive weight around your waist can put you at higher danger of high blood pressure.
Men are at threat if their waist measurement is greater than 40 inches (102 centimeters).
Females are at danger if their waist measurement is greater than 35 inches (89 centimeters).
These numbers differ amongst ethnic groups. Ask your doctor about a healthy waist measurement for you.
2. Workout frequently
Regular exercise– such as 150 minutes a week, or about 30 minutes most days of the week– can lower your blood pressure by about 5 to 8 mm Hg if you have hypertension. It’s crucial to be consistent due to the fact that if you stop exercising, your blood pressure can rise again.
If you have elevated high blood pressure, workout can assist you prevent establishing hypertension. If you already have hypertension, routine exercise can bring your high blood pressure to more secure levels.
Some examples of aerobic workout you may attempt to lower blood pressure consist of strolling, running, biking, swimming or dancing. You can also try high-intensity period training, which involves alternating short bursts of intense activity with subsequent healing durations of lighter activity. Strength training also can help reduce high blood pressure. Aim to include strength training workouts at least 2 days a week. Speak with your physician about developing an exercise program.
3. Adopt a healthy diet plan
Eating a diet plan that is abundant in entire grains, fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy items and skimps on hydrogenated fat and cholesterol can reduce your blood pressure by approximately 11 mm Hg if you have hypertension. This consuming strategy is referred to as the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet.
It isn’t easy to change your consuming routines, but with these ideas, you can adopt a healthy diet plan:
Keep a food diary. Documenting what you eat, even for simply a week, can shed surprising light on your true eating routines. Screen what you eat, just how much, when and why.
Think about improving potassium. Potassium can lessen the impacts of sodium on blood pressure. The best source of potassium is food, such as vegetables and fruits, rather than supplements. Talk to your physician about the potassium level that’s best for you.
Be a smart consumer. Check out food labels when you store and stick to your healthy-eating plan when you’re eating in restaurants, too.
4. Reduce sodium in your diet
Even a small decrease in the salt in your diet can improve your heart health and lower high blood pressure by about 5 to 6 mm Hg if you have hypertension.
The effect of salt intake on high blood pressure differs among groups of individuals. In general, limitation salt to 2,300 milligrams (mg) a day or less. A lower salt consumption– 1,500 mg a day or less– is perfect for the majority of grownups.
To decrease salt in your diet plan, consider these ideas:
Read food labels. If possible, choose low-sodium options of the foods and beverages you normally buy.
Eat fewer processed foods. Only a percentage of salt happens naturally in foods. Most salt is added during processing.
Don’t add salt. Just 1 level teaspoon of salt has 2,300 mg of salt. Use herbs or spices to include flavor to your food.
Relieve into it. If you don’t feel you can considerably minimize the sodium in your diet all of a sudden, cut down slowly. Your palate will change gradually.
5. Limitation the amount of alcohol you consume
Alcohol can be both good and bad for your health. By drinking alcohol only in moderation– normally one drink a day for ladies, or more a day for males– you can possibly lower your blood pressure by about 4 mm Hg. One beverage equates to 12 ounces of beer, five ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof alcohol.
That protective result is lost if you drink too much alcohol.
Drinking more than moderate quantities of alcohol can actually raise blood pressure by a number of points. It can also reduce the efficiency of high blood pressure medications.
6. Stopped smoking
Each cigarette you smoke boosts your high blood pressure for numerous minutes after you end up. Stopping smoking cigarettes assists your high blood pressure go back to regular. Giving up smoking can lower your danger of cardiovascular disease and enhance your total health. Individuals who quit smoking might live longer than individuals who never ever quit smoking.
7. Cut down on caffeine
The role caffeine plays in blood pressure is still debated. Caffeine can raise high blood pressure up to 10 mm Hg in people who hardly ever consume it. Individuals who drink coffee routinely might experience little or no impact on their blood pressure.
The long-lasting effects of caffeine on blood pressure aren’t clear, it’s possible blood pressure might somewhat increase.
To see if caffeine raises your blood pressure, check your pressure within 30 minutes of consuming a caffeinated drink. If your blood pressure increases by 5 to 10 mm Hg, you might be sensitive to the high blood pressure raising effects of caffeine. Speak to your physician about the results of caffeine on your blood pressure.
8. Lower your tension
Chronic tension may contribute to high blood pressure. More research study is required to identify the impacts of persistent stress on high blood pressure. Occasional stress also can add to hypertension if you react to stress by eating junk food, drinking alcohol or smoking.
Spend some time to think of what causes you to feel stressed out, such as work, family, financial resources or illness. Once you know what’s triggering your tension, think about how you can remove or decrease stress.
If you can’t get rid of all of your stressors, you can at least handle them in a much healthier method. Try to:
Change your expectations. Strategy your day and focus on your concerns. Prevent trying to do excessive and learn to say no. Understand there are some things you can’t alter or manage, but you can focus on how you react to them.
Concentrate on issues you can manage and make plans to resolve them. If you are having a concern at work, attempt speaking with your manager. If you are having a conflict with your kids or partner, take steps to solve it.
Avoid tension triggers. Attempt to prevent triggers when you can. If rush-hour traffic on the way to work causes stress, attempt leaving previously in the early morning, or take public transportation. Prevent individuals who trigger you tension if possible.
Make time to relax and to do activities you delight in. Take some time each day to sit silently and breathe deeply. Make time for satisfying activities or hobbies in your schedule, such as walking, cooking or offering.
Practice gratitude. Expressing appreciation to others can help in reducing your stress.
9. Monitor your high blood pressure at home and see your medical professional frequently
Home tracking can assist you keep tabs on your high blood pressure, make certain your way of life changes are working, and alert you and your medical professional to potential health complications. Blood pressure screens are readily available commonly and without a prescription. Talk to your medical professional about home tracking before you begin.
Routine check outs with your doctor are likewise key to managing your blood pressure. If your blood pressure is well-controlled, check with your doctor about how often you require to examine it. Your medical professional might recommend inspecting it daily or less frequently. If you’re making any changes in your medications or other treatments, your physician may advise you check your high blood pressure beginning two weeks after treatment modifications and a week prior to your next appointment.
10. Get assistance
Encouraging friends and family can assist improve your health. They may encourage you to take care of yourself, drive you to the physician’s office or start an exercise program with you to keep your high blood pressure low.
If you discover you need assistance beyond your family and friends, consider joining a support system. This may put you in touch with people who can give you an emotional or morale boost and who can use practical ideas to manage your condition.
