Hypertension - Mostly, it’s influenced by lifestyle!

Hypertension, also referred to as high blood pressure, HTN or HPN, is a medical condition in which the blood pressure is chronically elevated.

Hypertension can be classified either essential (primary) or secondary. Persistent hypertension is one of the risk factors for strokes, heart attacks, heart failure and arterial aneurysm, and is a leading cause of chronic renal failure.

In individuals older than 50 years, hypertension is considered to be present when a person’s systolic blood pressure is consistently 140mm Hg or greater or when the diastolic blood pressure is consistently 90mm Hg or greater.

The risk of hypertension is 5 times higher in the obese as compared to those of normal weight and up to two-thirds of cases can be attributed to excess weight.

Sodium is an environmental factor that has received the greatest attention. The inceased Na stimulates ADH and thirst mechanisms, leading to the concentrated urine and the kidneys holding onto water along with the person increasing the intake of water.

Consumption of liquorice (which can be of potent strength in liquorice candy) can lead to a surge in blood pressure. People with hypertension or history of cardio-vascular disease should avoid liquorice raising their blood pressure to risky levels. Liquorice extracts are present in many medicines (for example cough syrups, throat lozenges and peptic ulcer treatments).

The degree to which hypertension can be prevented depends on a number of features including: current blood pressure level, changes in end/target organs (retina, kidney, heart - among others), risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and the age at presentation.

The process of managing hypertension according the the guidelines of the British Hypertension Society suggest that non-pharmacological options should be explored in all patients who are hypertensive or pre-hypertensive.

Weight reduction and regular aerobic exercise (e.g., walking) are recommended as the first steps in treating mild to moderate hypertension.

Several studies indicate that low intensity exercise may be more effective in lowering blood pressure than higher intensity exercise.

These steps are highly effective in reducing blood pressure, although drug therapy is still necessary for many patients with moderate or severe hypertension to bring their blood pressure down to a safe level.

Reducing sodium (salt) in the diet may be effective: It decreases blood pressure in about 33% of people. Additional dietary changes beneficial to reducing blood pressure includes the DASH diet (dietary approaches to stop hypertension), which is rich in fruits and vegetables and low-fat or fat-free dairy foods.

In addition, an increase in daily calcium intake has the benefit of increasing dietary potassium, which theoretically can offset the effect of sodium and act on the kidney to decrease blood pressure.

Discontinuing tobacco use and alcohol consumption has been shown to lower blood pressure.