Blood Pressure is a silent killer

Hypertension specialist delivers lecture on how to avoid blood pressure

Tips to avoid blood pressure

High BP causes heart attack, kidney failure, brain disease and memory loss.

High BP can be diagnosed easily and accurately.

High BP can be controlled with life style changes and with medicines.

Some diseases in the body can cause the BP to go up.

Reduce your stress level and be more active to keep the BP down.

Do not neglect your BP. Do not be afraid to get your BP treated properly.

Public Garden Walkers' Association (PGWA) hosted its 222nd monthly health lecture on Sunday at Indira Priyadarshani Auditorium, Public Gardens, Nampally. Dr C Venkata S Ram, director, Apollo Institute of Blood Pressure Management, Apollo Health City, Jubilee Hills, delivered the lecture ‘Silent killer Blood Pressure Robs One’s Health’.

Dr C Venkata S Ram, said, “Hypertension or high blood pressure is an important cause of illness, disability, and death in our country. Unfortunately the problem of high blood pressure (high BP) is steadily increasing in India--both in the urban and rural areas, in the young and in the old, and in the women and men. So, high BP runs across all the sections of our society. Untreated high BP can cause heart attack, kidney failure, stroke-paralysis, and loss of memory. The complications of high BP are deadly, and very expensive. In the last 2-3 decades the percentage of people with high BP has risen from 5-6 per cent to 30 per cent--one of the highest in the world. India is in the midst of hypertension epidemic. If we don't control high BP, India won’t face enormous public health burden draining our human and financial resources.”

High BP, also known as hypertension, is one of the main Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) risk factors. It is currently the leading risk resulting in considerable death and disability worldwide. Hypertension is increasing rapidly in most low and middle income countries driven by diverse health transitions. Apart from health implications it has huge societal, developmental and economic costs. There is also noteworthy income loss to families affected by hypertension not only due to illness but also due to care giving and premature death. Further, hypertension was also a leading cause for hospitalisations and outpatient visits.

Rising burden of hypertension in India

Dr C Venkata S Ram said, “In India, hypertension is the leading NCD risk and estimated to be attributable for nearly 10 per cent of all deaths. The number of hypertensive individuals is anticipated to nearly double from 118 million in 2000 to 213 million by 2025. The problem is that high BP is being detected in the young also-----children and youth. Generally high BP does not cause any symptoms initially until the complications set in. Patients with untreated high BP end up with heart disease, kidney failure, malfunction in the brain, and loss of memory. Hypertension can be easily diagnosed by checking your BP periodically. Anytime, you see a doctor or a nurse for any reason, get your BP checked. The only way of finding out if you have high BP is to get the BP checked; otherwise, you will miss it. These days, BP can be measured accurately at home also with proper instruments. We can also check your BP automatically for 24 hours with a special machine.”

“We can control the BP easily--by early diagnosis and treatment. Reduce the salt intake first and increase the intake of fruits and vegetables. Cut down alcohol and eliminate tobacco use. Increase the physical activity, avoid weight gain, walk regularly, and sleep well. In some people, we can find out what is causing high BP and then, correct it. There are some diseases in the body which can cause high BP. In some, snoring causes the BP to go up in which case you need evaluation and treatment for snoring. If a cause is not found, try lifestyle changes first and then take the medicines for BP. We have excellent medicines to get the BP down. You should not stop the BP medicines unless instructed by the doctor but please don't stop them on your own--too risky. Let your doctor decide about the medicines but you should not stop them. Untested high BP can cause lot of hardship and too many complications,” he added.