Hypertension the silent killer!

HYPERTENSION – the silent killer.

WHO (world health organisation)SAYS:
•Hypertension – or elevated blood pressure – is a serious medical condition that significantly increases the risks of heart, brain, kidney and other diseases.
•An estimated 1.13 billion people worldwide have hypertension, most (two-thirds) living in low- and middle-income countries.
•In 2015, 1 in 4 men and 1 in 5 women had hypertension.
•Fewer than 1 in 5 people with hypertension have the problem under control.
•Hypertension is a major cause of premature death worldwide.
•One of the global targets for non-communicable diseases is to reduce the prevalence of hypertension by 25% by 2025 (baseline 2010).

What is HYPERTENSION?
Blood pressure is the force exerted by circulating blood against the walls of the body’s arteries, the major blood vessels in the body. Hypertension is when blood pressure is too high.

Blood pressure is written as two numbers. The first (systolic) number represents the pressure in blood vessels when the heart contracts or beats. The second (diastolic) number represents the pressure in the vessels when the heart rests between beats.

Hypertension is diagnosed if, when it is measured on two different days, the systolic blood pressure readings on both days is ≥140 mmHg and/or the diastolic blood pressure readings on both days is ≥90 mmHg.

High blood pressure typically does not cause symptoms.
Long-term high blood pressure, however, is a major risk factor for coronary artery disease, stroke, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, peripheral arterial disease, vision loss, chronic kidney disease, and dementia.
High blood pressure is classified as either primary (essential) hypertension or secondary hypertension.
About 90–95% of cases are primary, defined as high blood pressure due to nonspecific lifestyle and genetic factors.
Lifestyle factors that increase the risk include excess salt in the diet, excess body weight, smoking, and alcohol use.
The remaining 5–10% of cases are categorized as secondary high blood pressure, defined as high blood pressure due to an identifiable cause, such as chronic kidney disease, narrowing of the kidney arteries, an endocrine disorder, or the use of birth control pills.
Lifestyle changes include weight loss, physical exercise, decreased salt intake, reducing alcohol intake, and a healthy diet.

EPIDEMIOLOGY

ADULTS
As of 2014, approximately one billion adults or 22% of the population of the world have hypertension.
It is slightly more frequent in men, in those of low socioeconomic status, and it becomes more common with age.
It is common in high, medium, and low income countries.

CHILDREN
Childhood hypertension, particularly in pre-adolescents, is more often secondary to an underlying disorder than in adults.
Kidney disease is the most common secondary cause of hypertension in children and adolescents. Nevertheless, primary or essential hypertension accounts for most cases.

TYPES OF HYPERTENSION
There are two primary hypertension types.
For 95 percent of people with high blood pressure, the cause of their hypertension is unknown — this is called essential, or primary, hypertension.
When a cause can be found, the condition is called secondary hypertension.

Essential hypertension.
•This type of hypertension is diagnosed after a doctor notices that your blood pressure is high on three or more visits and eliminates all other causes of hypertension.

•Usually people with essential hypertension have no symptoms, but you may experience frequent headaches, tiredness, dizziness, or nose bleeds.

•Although the cause is unknown, researchers do know that obesity, smoking, alcohol, diet, and heredity all play a role in essential hypertension.

Secondary hypertension.
•The most common cause of secondary hypertension is an abnormality in the arteries supplying blood to the kidneys.

•Other causes include airway obstruction during sleep, diseases and tumors of the adrenal glands, hormone abnormalities, thyroid disease, and too much salt or alcohol in the diet.

•The good news is that if the cause is found, hypertension can often be controlled.

SIGN & SYMPTOMS
Hypertension is called a “silent killer”.
Most people with hypertension are unaware of the problem because it may have no warning signs or symptoms. For this reason, it is essential that blood pressure is measured regularly.

Few of symptoms are listed below.

•Severe headache.
•Fatigue or confusion.
•Vision problems.
•Chest pain.
•Difficulty breathing.
•Irregular heartbeat.
•Blood in the urine.
•Pounding in your chest, neck, or ears.

DIGNOSIS & LAB INVESTIGATION

Hypertension is blood pressure that is greater than 120/80 mm of hg.
It is necessary to measure your blood pressure at different times, while you are resting comfortably for at least five minutes.
To make the diagnosis of hypertension, at least three readings that are elevated are usually required.

Some lab investigation can also be helpful

Urine test – creatinine
To know about kidney involvement

Blood test- cholesterol
To know about fat levels in your body.

ECG-Electrocardiogram
To know about heart’s electric activity

RISK FACTORS
Modifiable risk factors include unhealthy diets (excessive salt consumption, a diet high in saturated fat and trans fats, low intake of fruits and vegetables), physical inactivity, consumption of tobacco and alcohol, and being overweight or obese.

Non-modifiable risk factors include a family history of hypertension, age over 65 years and co-existing diseases such as diabetes or kidney disease.

COMPLICATIONS

Among other complications, hypertension can cause serious damage to the heart. Excessive pressure can harden arteries, decreasing the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart. This elevated pressure and reduced blood flow can cause:
•Chest pain, also called angina.
•Heart attack, which occurs when the blood supply to the heart is blocked and heart muscle cells die from lack of oxygen. The longer the blood flow is blocked, the greater the damage to the heart.
•Heart failure, which occurs when the heart cannot pump enough blood and oxygen to other vital body organs.
•Irregular heart beat which can lead to a sudden death.
Hypertension can also burst or block arteries that supply blood and oxygen to the brain, causing a stroke.

In addition, hypertension can cause kidney damage, leading to kidney failure.
PREVENTION
Reducing hypertension prevents heart attack, stroke, and kidney damage, as well as other health problems.

Prevention

Reducing and managing mental stress
•Eating more fruit and vegetables
•Being physically active on a regular basis-30-45 mins of active exercise
•Avoiding use of tobacco
•Reducing alcohol consumption
•Limiting the intake of foods high in saturated fats
•Eliminating/reducing trans fats in diet

Management

•Reducing and managing mental stress
•Regularly checking blood pressure
•Treating high blood pressure
•Managing other medical conditions

HOMOEOPATHIC INTERVENTION IN HYPERTENSION:
Homeopathy can help high blood pressure, determining its cause through a holistic approach that looks to cure the individual as a whole.
Homeopathic treatment is recommended because it not only can lower and stabilize blood pressure, it also has a positive effect on overall health.
Here are some acute hypertension remedies, along with their symptom pictures.

Raulwolfia Serpentina:
It is suited to a person who has difficult concentration and confused. He wants to be alone. He is worse by mental exertion. He has of fear of evil. He has memory weakness and restlessness at night in bed. He is unfriendly.
•It is given when patient has bursting sensation of head.
•It cures blurring of eyes. It cures bleeding haemorrhoids and burning pains in urethra.
•Patient has copious urine.
•It cures dryness and nose congestion with flushing face at 6-8 p.m.
This helps blood vessels to relax so that blood can flow more easily. It also slows heart rate.
It helps to control high blood pressure.

Glonoinum:
A flushed face with a pounding headache and visible throbbing in the blood vessels of the neck may indicate a need for this remedy
The chest can feel congested or hot, with a pounding or irregular heartbeat. The person is worse after moving around, heat and sun exposure, and drinking alcohol.
Natrum muriaticum (Nat mur):
A person who need remedy can have headaches and palpitations are common, as well as a feeling of tension (even coldness) in the chest.
The person feels worse after sun exposure, worse around mid-morning, and better when alone in a quiet place.

Phosphorus:
A person who needs this remedy is usually sensitive with a tendency to Nosebleeds, facial flushing, palpitations, feelings of heaviness or pain in the chest, and left-sided problems are often seen.
A strong desire for cold drinks and refreshing things, and a marked improvement after eating and sleeping are other indicators for Phosphorus.

These remedies are just few indications from hundreds of other available remedies for hypertension.
We recommend constitutional treatment of each patient individually with tailor made medicines based upon his/her constitutional analysis by our Homeopathic physician.

Get in touch at 8866 87 7070.

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For inquiries or consultation: 8866877070

Dr. Mansi Joshi
Asst. Physician – Tathya Homeopathic Clinic