How to Manage Hypertension

High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is blood pressure that is higher than normal.

Your blood pressure changes throughout the day based on your activities. Having blood pressure measures consistently above normal may result in a diagnosis of high blood pressure.

About 33% of urban and 25% of rural Indians are hypertensive. Of these, 25% of rural and 42% of urban Indians are aware of their hypertensive status. Only 25% of rural and 38% of urban Indians are being treated for hypertension. One-tenth of rural and one-fifth of urban Indian hypertensive population have their BP under control.

High blood pressure (BP) is ranked as the third most important risk factor for the attributable burden of disease in South Asia. Hypertension exerts a substantial public health burden on cardiovascular health status and healthcare systems in India

HTN is directly responsible for 57% of all stroke deaths and 24% of all coronary heart disease deaths in India the WHO rates Hypertension as one of the most important causes of premature death worldwide.

It is therefore imperative that conscious efforts are made to avoid Hypertension and manage it well in patients who already suffer from it.

Following are the lifestyle changes that you can make in order to effectively manage Hypertension –

• Limit alcohol

• Eat a well-balanced diet that is low in salt

• Manage stress

• Maintain a healthy weight

• Quit smoking

• Take your medications properly

• Work together with your doctor

• Enjoy regular physical activity
  

Remember, managing blood pressure is a lifelong commitment

If you have high blood pressure, it’s vital that you listen to your doctor. Remember: You’re a part of your healthcare team. You and your doctor are partners.

Educate yourself about hypertension and learn how to monitor your blood pressure at home. Armed with this information, you can commit to a living heart-healthy.

By adopting a healthy lifestyle, you can:

• Prevent or delay the development of high blood pressure.

• Reduce high blood pressure.

• Enhance the effectiveness of blood pressure medications.