Why is high blood pressure a silent killer?
Hypertension, which often goes undiagnosed, affects a large portion of India’s population, posing serious health risks. Regular monitoring and lifestyle changes are essential to manage and prevent complications.
Most people in India suffer from high blood pressure. According to a research panel by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), nearly 3 out of 10 people aged 18 to 54 have never checked their blood pressure.
The heart pumps blood through the arteries, the main blood vessels of the body, and this blood exerts a force against the artery walls. This force is known as blood pressure.
Normal blood pressure is between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg. When it reaches 140/90mmHg or more, it becomes high blood pressure.
As we age, blood pressure readings typically rise due to increased stiffness in the large blood vessels. Even a small increase can greatly increase the risk of death from heart disease or stroke.
High blood pressure is a silent killer, this is because many people do not have any symptoms, and it remains undiagnosed for a long time.
According to the American Heart Association, people should continue to check their blood pressure as they age so that lifestyle changes can be made early.
High blood pressure increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney damage, heart attack, vision loss, blockage in the legs due to blockage in the arteries, and dementia.
Lifestyle changes include avoiding alcohol and smoking, doing cardiovascular exercises such as brisk walking, running, jogging, swimming and cycling. These aerobic exercises as well as resistance exercises should be done for at least 30 minutes or more at least five days a week to control blood pressure.
According to the level of hypertension, medicines are prescribed for the prevention of heart diseases.
Treatment should be started immediately in patients with co-morbidities or grade 2 hypertension (blood pressure more than 160/100 mm Hg).