World Hypertension Day: “Not many people realize that nosebleeds can be dangerous and lead to ICU admission”
We all know headache, lightheadedness, chest pain and restlessness are typical signs of high blood pressure but we don’t know about some lesser known signs of high blood pressure like nosebleeds that can can be dangerous and may require admission to the ICU, adds Dr. Salva. There are some lesser known signs such as shortness of breath and swelling of the feet that also occur in the case of high blood pressure. Persistent nausea and vomiting can be a sign of undiagnosed high blood pressure and often refer patients to the outpatient department. Some signs like dark spots in vision and sudden loss of vision in one side can be telltale signs and shouldn’t be ignored.
Talking about the change in age group with most non-communicable diseases, Dr. Salva said hypertension is no exception. “Today, we see people between the ages of 30 and 40 who have high blood pressure and deserve such treatment. At the same time there is an increase in the complications of hypertension such as stroke and heart attack, even kidney failure in the age group of 40 to 50, which has not been seen in the previous decade.”
Hypertension is a disease caused by lifestyle, but at the same time we cannot deny its genetic factor. Among personal factors, stress in daily life, work beyond one’s means, use of medication to relieve stress or peer pressure, and above all, poor eating habits have led to to high blood pressure in young people.
There are certain measures by which one can control the risk of hypertension. Dr. Sanjay Mittal Director- Department of Preventive and Clinical Cardiology, Heart Institute, Medanta Hospital, Gurugram recommends the following:
Learn to be patient and control anger- Some people tend to get impatient easily, and are advised to follow yoga and meditation.
Follow these stress-reducing activities- Stress and anxiety raise blood pressure temporarily and can become a long-term problem if not taken care of properly. People should follow laughter and clapping therapy to help distract them, relieve pain and stress, and improve their sense of life.
Improved sleep cycle- The reduction in sleep causes risk factors for high blood sugar and increases the risk/worsening of blood sugar. Our bodies secrete hormones during sleep that help repair cells and control the body’s use of energy. Unhealthy sleep habits, increased screen time lead to energy consumption and ultimately make people feel sleepy during the day. A lack of sleep can cause confusion, anxiety, overeating and diabetes-like conditions, increasing the risk of high blood pressure threefold. People should avoid sleeping during the day, get plenty of light during the day, avoid caffeine at night, maintain a routine and avoid alcohol.
Maintain a healthy weight- It has been observed that fat around the abdomen (pear-shaped body) refers to an increase in insulin resistance and further is converted into hypertension. People should control their sugar intake and avoid sweets, sugary drinks and red meat.
Stay healthy and exercise regularly- There are certain myths associated with people with high blood pressure, that they should avoid physical activity because it can increase their BP, which is not true. Physical activity helps control high blood pressure (HBP or hypertension), it also helps with weight control, strengthens the heart, and reduces stress levels. People with high blood pressure can take advice from their coaches and doctors to stick to harmless physical activity.
A dietary approach to controlling high BP, or in other words, the Dash diet for hypertensionPeople should follow a diet rich in citrus and high-fiber fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy foods. The DASH Diet consists of eating 3 times more than usual from a variety of food groups including whole grains, vegetables, fruits, low-fat or fat-free dairy products, meat, poultry and fish
Check salt intakeEating too much salt causes high blood pressure. Too much salt causes the body to retain water. If someone eats too much salt, the extra water in the blood puts extra pressure on the walls of blood vessels, increasing your blood pressure. People can consume potassium-rich salt, which helps reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke by lowering blood pressure.
Environmental factors –Environmental factors that can significantly increase arterial blood pressure (BP) include cold temperatures, altitude, loud noise, and ambient air pollutants. It is important for people to understand triggers and stay away from them.
Low fat and controlled carbohydrate intake- People tend to focus on controlling their fat intake and sometimes overlook carb intake. Both high and low percentages of a carbohydrate diet are associated with an increased risk of new-onset hypertension. A controlled low-carb diet improves insulin resistance, promotes the loss of sodium in the urine, which in turn improves blood pressure.
