World Hypertension Day 2022: 17 May

Hypertension: High Blood pressure

Read more

Blood pressure is the force exerted by circulating blood on the walls of the body’s arteries. Hypertension is when blood pressure is too high. Hypertension is diagnosed if blood pressure readings are 140-90 or above. 

What are the risk factors?

  1. High Salt consumption 
  2. Low intake of fruits and vegetables
  3. Saturated fats and trans fat
  4. Being overweight and obese
  5. Harmful use of alcohol 
  6. Lack of physical activity 
  7. Tobacco use 
  8. Too much stress

What are the consequences?

  1. Heart attack 
  2. Stroke
  3. Kidney failure
  4. Blindness
  5. Other complications 

Apart from regular monitoring of BP and taking medication on time, it is also essential to make necessary lifestyle changes that could help manage the disease. Eat foods like bananas, strawberries, pomegranate, mango, curd, coconut water, veggies like spinach and garlic, etc. 

Source: WHO