Every year on the 17th of May, World Hypertension Day is celebrated. The primary goal of this day is to educate and make people aware of hypertension, which is most commonly known as high blood pressure. Hypertension is caused by various health problems such as heart attacks, strokes, and kidney disease, and it can contribute to dementia.
What is Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)?
Blood pressure is the force that blood pushes against the walls of blood vessels. This pressure is based on the blood vessels’ resistance and how hard the heart needs to work. Certain medications and other health conditions can increase this pressure. Hypertension is consistently higher than 140 over 90mm of mercury (mm Hg).
Why is World Hypertension Day Celebrated?
Hypertension is also known as a silent killer as it slowly increases in the body and due to this fact, it develops various cardiovascular disorders, such as stroke, myocardial infarction, and heart failure. It gives no warning symptoms.
Worldwide, hypertension is affecting over 100 crore adults. Across all socio-economic and income strata, hypertension is consistent and it increases with age. As per a global health survey report, hypertension has been causing death and disability worldwide since 1990. The number of people with this problem is predicted to increase by 15%-20% which might reach nearly 150 crores by 2025.
Therefore, it’s better to eliminate the chances of having this problem before it starts, just as it is better to reduce hypertension rather than deal with the complications it may bring. To achieve this, World Hypertension Day was marked that focusing on educating people about hypertension.
World Hypertension Day 2023 Theme
The theme of World Hypertension Day 2023 is “Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer”, which focuses on dealing with the low awareness rate of hypertension. The theme has been continued since 2021.
Causes of High Blood Pressure
Generally, there is no specific cause of high blood pressure. In many cases, it may be the result of underlying conditions. If high blood pressure is not caused because of another condition, it is known as primary hypertension. If any underlying condition causes high blood pressure, then it is known as secondary hypertension. Various factors can result in primary hypertension, including:
smoking
due to a sedentary lifestyle
high salt consumption
insulin resistance
having obesity
excessive consumption of alcohol
On the other hand, secondary hypertension can be caused by other health problems. Chronic kidney disease is the most common cause of high blood pressure. The following are other health conditions that can lead to hypertension:
cushing’s syndrome
diabetes, as it can cause nerve damage and kidney problems
pheochromocytoma
pregnancy
obesity
sleep apnea
hyperthyroidism
congentital adrenal hyperplasia
Treatment for Hypertension
Exercise
People should exercise at least 5 days a week. You can do exercises: walking, cycling, jogging, and swimming. According to studies, training, strength or resistance can help in reducing blood pressure.
Stress Reduction
Learning to manage stress can help you control your blood pressure. A few relaxation techniques can help you get rid of stress, such as warm baths, going on long walks, yoga, and meditation. Make sure to avoid consuming alcohol and other drugs to manage stress, as these can increase blood pressure.
Medication
To get rid of hypertension, people can use medications. Doctors suggest low doses to treat hypertension. The choice of medication will depend on the person’s condition. However, make sure to ask your doctor first before consuming any medication as it can lead to severe side effects.
Diet
It is recommended to reduce the consumption of salt as it contributes to high blood pressure. Moderate to excessive intake of alcohol can lead to hypertension. You can seek help from a healthcare professional to reduce the consumption of alcohol. You must eat healthy foods, such as:
nuts
whole grain, high-fibre foods
pulses
fish rich in omega-3
low-fat dairy products
Conclusion
The blog shares the importance of celebrating World Hypertension Day 2023, its theme, the causes of hypertension along with possible treatment options. Moreover, keep yourself updated with informative blogs by subscribing to Personal Care N Heal.
