PRINCE KUMAR
Ranchi, April 20: Increasing its prevalence within all age groups, courtesy of the unhealthy dietary patterns and increased stress levels amid the frequent Covid-19 lockdowns, hypertension or high blood pressure has become more important now than ever to maintain.
It is a lifestyle disease that is affecting more than 30% of the adult population worldwide or more than one billion people around the world, especially more during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
In an interview with lagatar24.com, Dr Vineet Mahajan, HOD of the CTVS department at Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi shared, “Hypertension, which is among the most common chronic diseases in adults, is a major cause of stroke, heart disease, and renal failure. One of the most effective ways of coping with hypertension is through lifestyle modification, making patients more responsible for their care.”
Describing the reasons for hypertension Dr Mahajan said that high-stress levels, obesity, sedentary lifestyle and poor dietary habits are some of the main reasons for hypertension in young people. Prolonged hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a major risk factor for severe medical conditions such as coronary artery disease, stroke, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, vision loss, chronic kidney disease and even dementia.
“The rise of hypertension in young people, especially in urban areas, is alarming and a matter of huge concern for two reasons — a) uncontrolled hypertension can have fatal results such as heart attack or stroke and b) it is a preventable lifestyle disease that can also make a person more susceptible to Covid-19, irrespective of age,” he added.
Dr Vineet Mahajan suggests that hypertension is a lifelong disease and preventing it is always better than trying to control it. He lists simple lifestyle changes that can help one prevent or delay the onset of hypertension, including:
- Reduced salt intake in the diet
- Limiting sodium and alcohol intake
- Eating a variety and heart-friendly foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fish and low-fat dairy.
- One must also avoid a sedentary life at all costs — moderate exercise regularly can help a lot to gain optimum weight and shed extra weight.
- Manage stress through yoga and meditation
- Quit smoking
Sharing the benefits of lifestyle modification Dr Mahajan said, “Healthy lifestyle choices have an important role in treating your high blood pressure. It can prevent or delay the onset of high blood pressure and reduce cardiovascular risk. Healthy lifestyle choices form the first line of antihypertensive treatment. Lifestyle modifications can reduce your need for and enhance the effects of antihypertensive treatment. Other advantages include a reduction of expense related to medications, and a beneficial effect on other conditions, such as diabetes and hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol).”
