Bhopal: High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a silent killer; it manifests itself quietly and wreaks much havoc undetected. Hypertension can lead to damage to major organs like kidney, liver, heart, brain and eyes and it severely hampers productivity.
Dr Deepak Chaturvedi, renowned cardiologist and director Akshay Heart and Multispeciality Hospital stated this at a press conference organised here on the eve of World Hypertension Day. He said “Skipping health check-ups, popping pills without consultation, sleep apnoea and prescription of certain drugs by many physicians are other reasons for the growing prevalence of this disease.” Low salt, high fibre, balanced potassium and vitamin and mineral-rich diet also known as DASH diet or Dietary Approach To Stop Hypertension has been found very helpful in controlling blood pressure, he said.
Earlier a disease of the elderly, it is now increasingly taking youths in its grips. There has been about 50 per cent increase in hypertension among youth in last one year. Stress, junk food, alcohol, tobacco, obesity, lack of exercise and sleep are some of the major risk factors for this deadly disease among youth. It is estimated that one out of every three person in India is suffering from this silent killer, Dr Chaturvedi said. The theme for World Hypertension Day this year is “Know Your Numbers”, with the goal of increasing awareness about high blood pressure (BP) within all populations around the world. It is important to keep a tab on numbers. Normal blood pressure is defined as an average reading no higher than 120/80 mm Hg. A readings of 140/90 or higher is considered high blood pressure, and anything in between is considered “pre-hypertension”, which does not show any clear symptoms.
