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Hypertension management tips: Tweaking lifestyle habits play a pivotal role in controlling high blood pressure and reducing heart problems caused by hypertension. Read on to know the top 7 lifestyle modifications to control high BP.
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is intimately connected to heart health, serving as a key indicator of cardiovascular well-being. Often dubbed the “silent killer,” hypertension can go unnoticed for years, quietly damaging arteries and increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other serious health complications. In this article, Dr Anjan Siotia, Director, Department of Cardiology, BM Birla Heart Hospital, tells us more about this deadly condition and the various lifestyle changes that can help fight the symptoms.
Hypertension And Heart Health: Understanding The Connection
There’s a complex tie between hypertension and heart health. High blood pressure is a serious risk factor for many heart-related problems. When your blood pressure stays high, it generates a lot of pressure on artery walls, causing damage and increasing the heart’s workload. Over time, this extra strain can lead to severe issues such as heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes.
Hypertension is likely to be the most common comorbidity in cardiac patients simply because it is the most prevalent cardiac condition worldwide. Hypertension affects more than 50% of the world’s population, depending on the definition of high blood pressure used in various countries.
Symptoms of Hypertension: Signs You Have High Blood Pressure
The problem with hypertension is that it is very commonly undiagnosed and often untreated. When discussing hypertension, we often refer to the ‘rule of halves.’ For example, if 50% of the world’s population is hypertensive, then half of these people may not even know they have hypertension because they have never had their blood pressure checked.
Of the remaining half who have had their blood pressure checked and are aware of their hypertension, only half of them actually end up taking medication. Furthermore, of all the people who take medication, only half will actually achieve adequate blood pressure control.
This means that a very small proportion of patients with hypertension actually have their blood pressure well controlled with medication. The rest either do not take medication or take inadequate doses. This is a significant problem with hypertension.
How To Manage High Blood Pressure Naturally At Home
Because it is inadequately treated, the complications of hypertension, such as stroke and heart attack, become common. Therefore, the key to hypertension management is to ensure early diagnosis and regular blood pressure monitoring. Check out some of the other tips and tricks to control high BP at home and keep your heart healthy:
Regular Check-Ups
It is essential to encourage people to have their blood pressure checked frequently and to take medication as prescribed. Even after starting medication, regular blood pressure checks are necessary to ensure adequate control. If blood pressure is not adequately controlled, medication adjustments may be required.
Lifestyle Modifications To Control High Blood Pressure
Regular blood pressure monitoring and proactive lifestyle adjustments remain critical in safeguarding against these complications, ensuring a healthier, more resilient body in the long run. Lifestyle modifications play a pivotal role in managing hypertension and promoting heart health. Here are a few lifestyle swaps you must consider adopting:
- Following a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains,
- Limiting sodium intake can also help regulate blood pressure.
- Regular exercise
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Limiting alcohol consumption, and
- Quitting smoking
- Follow a healthy sleep cycle
These are also some of the most easy, yet effective vital steps in reducing hypertension risk.
Moreover, stress management techniques such as meditation, yoga, and deep breathing exercises can help alleviate hypertension’s impact on the heart. Seeking regular medical check-ups and adhering to prescribed medications are integral components of a comprehensive approach to hypertension management, ensuring long-term heart health and overall well-being.
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