| Category | Hypertension Treatment |
What is Hypertension?
Hypertension, also commonly known as high blood pressure, is a chronic medical condition where the force of blood pushing against the walls of your blood vessels is consistently too high. Imagine your blood vessels like a network of hoses, and the blood pressure as the water pressure flowing through them. In hypertension, the pressure within these hoses is constantly elevated, putting undue strain on their walls.
Symptoms of Hypertension
A person with hypertension may not notice any signs & symptoms. Without detection, hypertension can harm the heart, blood vessels, and other organs, such as the kidneys.
It is necessary to check blood pressure regularly.
In rare cases, high blood pressure can cause:
sweating
anxiety
sleeping problems
blushing
However, most people with hypertension will experience no symptoms at all.
If Hypertension becomes a hypertensive crisis, a person may experience headaches and nosebleeds.
Causes of Hypertension
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, can arise from various contributing factors, broadly categorized into two main groups:
Lifestyle factors: These are choices and habits that can directly impact your blood pressure. While some factors are modifiable, others may require additional support in conjunction with lifestyle adjustments.
Unhealthy diet: Excessive salt intake, saturated and trans fats, inadequate potassium intake, and refined carbohydrates can contribute to high blood pressure.
Physical inactivity: Regular exercise helps regulate blood pressure, while a sedentary lifestyle promotes its increase.
Excessive alcohol consumption: Alcohol consumption, particularly in large quantities, can raise blood pressure.
Smoking: Smoking harms blood vessels and increases blood pressure.
Chronic stress: Chronic stress triggers the release of hormones that elevate blood pressure.
Sleep apnea: This sleep disorder causes breathing to stop and start throughout the night, leading to periods of low oxygen levels in the blood, which can contribute to high blood pressure.
Being overweight or obese: Excess weight increases the amount of work the heart has to do, leading to higher blood pressure.
Underlying medical conditions: Sometimes, hypertension can be a symptom or consequence of another medical condition. It's important to identify and address these underlying factors for effective management.
Kidney disease: Chronic kidney disease can impair the ability to regulate blood pressure and fluid balance.
Thyroid disorders: Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can affect blood pressure levels.
Adrenal gland disorders: Certain conditions affecting the adrenal glands can disrupt the production of hormones that regulate blood pressure.
Certain medications: Some medications, such as decongestants and birth control pills, can raise blood pressure as a side effect.
Additional factors:
Genetics: Family history of hypertension increases your risk.
Age: The risk of high blood pressure generally increases with age.
Race and ethnicity: Some racial and ethnic groups have a higher prevalence of hypertension.
Socioeconomic status: People of lower socioeconomic status are more likely to experience hypertension due to various contributing factors such as stress, unhealthy diet, and limited access to healthcare.
Types of Hypertension
There are two main types of high blood pressure.
For most adults, there's no identifiable cause of high blood pressure. This type of high blood pressure is called primary hypertension or essential hypertension. It tends to develop gradually over many years. Plaque build-up in the arteries, called atherosclerosis, increases the risk of hypertension.
This type of high blood pressure is caused by a basic condition. It tends to appear suddenly and cause higher blood pressure than does primary hypertension. Conditions and medicines that can lead to secondary hypertension include:
Adrenal gland tumours
Blood vessel problems present at birth, also called congenital heart defects
Cough and cold medicines, some pain relievers, birth control pills, and other prescription drugs
Illegal drugs, such as cocaine and amphetamines
Kidney issues
Obstructive sleep apnea
Thyroid issues
Sometimes just getting a health check-up causes hypertension to increase. This is called white coat hypertension.
Treatment
High blood pressure treatments include lifestyle changes and medications. Healthcare providers recommend treatment based on your blood pressure readings, the causes of your high blood pressure and your basic conditions.
Lifestyle changes to lower your blood pressure
You may be wondering if you can lower your blood pressure naturally. Yes, in some cases, it’s possible to lower your blood pressure without medication. For example, your provider may recommend starting with lifestyle changes if you have elevated blood pressure or stage 1 hypertension.
Here are some ways to lower your blood pressure naturally:
Weight management: Maintaining a healthy weight or losing weight if overweight or obese can significantly reduce blood pressure.
Diet: Embracing a heart-healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein while limiting saturated and trans fats, salt, and refined carbohydrates significantly impacts blood pressure control.
Cut down on salt: Ideally, limit your sodium intake to no more than 1,500 milligrams (mg) per day. If this is too difficult at first, you can start by reducing your daily intake by at least 1,000 milligrams.
Get enough potassium: Try to consume 3,500 to 5,000 milligrams per day, ideally through the foods you eat rather than supplements. Some foods high in potassium include bananas, avocados and potatoes (with skin).
Exercise: Engaging in regular physical activity, like brisk walking, swimming, or cycling, for at least 150 minutes per week helps lower blood pressure and improve overall cardiovascular health.
Limiting alcohol: Moderating alcohol consumption or quitting altogether can significantly benefit blood pressure control.
Adequate sleep: Aiming for 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night is essential for managing blood pressure and overall health.
Why Choose Dr. Vaibhav Yadav For Hypertension Treatment In Indore?
If you're dealing with hypertension in Indore, Dr. Vaibhav Yadav is an excellent doctor for hypertension specialized care. With a strong educational background from GRMC Gwalior and Indore, he brings expertise in internal medicine and Rheumatology.
Dr. Yadav has gained valuable experience as a registrar at renowned institutions like VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital and AIIMS Bhopal. Currently serving as an Assistant Professor at M.G.M. Medical College & M.Y. Hospital, he combines academic dedication with practical clinical skills.
Choosing Dr. Vaibhav Yadav means opting for a physician with a solid foundation in medicine. His role at Kavish Clinic ensures a professional and patient-friendly environment for hypertension treatment in Indore. Trust his comprehensive knowledge and commitment to staying updated in the field for effective and personalized care. Dr. Vaibhav Yadav is your reliable partner in managing hypertension in Indore.
