When Ashok (name changed) discovered that he had high blood pressure, it left him in quite a shock. Thirty-two and in excellent health, Ashok didn't have a clue of his condition until his pressure was read in a blood donation camp.

"Barely a week after this accidental discovery (in 2005), I had a health check at office," Ashok says. "There again the pressure was shown to be high (about 150/100). Consulting with my physician, I realised the seriousness of high blood pressure and started to change the way I lived and ate."

Through the discovery of his condition, Ashok has moved from 200 million Indians who are unaware that they suffer from hypertension (the medical term for high blood pressure) to one among 66 million known cases in the country. The figures are substantially higher for a single country and form the largest chunk of the 1.5 billion cases of hypertension recorded worldwide. 

Dr Nagaraj Desai, HOD, Interventional Cardiology, Apollo Hospital, explains that the spiralling hypertension is an indication of the sedentary lifestyle and changing diet of many Indians. "(Along with diabetes) this is called the 'silent killer', because there are no perceivable symptoms," Dr Desai says. 

"The fact that a large number of productive population is affected by hypertension suggests the potential impact of this condition on our economy and the large cost to our exchequer." 
Blood pressure in human beings is measured in two ways - systolic or pressure when the heart contracts and diastolic when the heart is relaxed. Systolic pressure is therefore naturally higher than diastolic.

And when blood pressure touches measurements higher than natural it could either be an indication that the person is running the risk of hypertension or has already got it. 

Though the causes of high blood pressure are not clearly determined, it is suspected that the condition could be due to narrowing of the arteries. This makes the heart to work a lot harder than usual to push blood through them. Stiff blood vessels that can't expand when blood is push through them can also increase pressure as also the presence of excess fluids in the vessels from sodium and water.

Common factors

"Obesity is by and large the most common factor in causing hypertension," explains Dr Desai. "In addition, excessive salt or sodium intake, lower intake of potassium or higher alcohol drinking can also lead to hypertension." 

Some experts also attribute hypertension to stress and the impact of constant worry about one's work or life.
Prolonged stress, besides giving rise to conditions like hypertension, can also let a person age faster as it suppresses the immune system, reduces the body's ability to fight diseases and make such persons feel tired all the time.

Hypertension can be treated both pharmacologically (by taking medicines) or by simply altering the lifestyle and diet of the individual. Ashok chose the latter and believes it has benefited him immensely: "I made a lot of changes to my diet — cutting down salt and consuming a lot of nutritious items. In addition, I also started to practice Yoga and meditation, which has brought down my pressure and body weight considerably." Dr Desai agrees dynamic exercises — moving the limbs energetically — helps improve the health of the cardiovascular system in the long run. "Things like transcendental meditation, Yoga therapy and relaxation exercises allow the arteries to expand and reduce blood pressure," he says.

No shortcuts

"But one can't expect miracles by just practicing it for sometime and leaving it later. By contrast, exercises must be continuous and part of overall adjustment to lifestyle and diet, which alone can reduce pressure to the normal levels."

He admits persons who are unaware that they suffer from hypertension run the risk of long term damage to their health, but suggests persons with family history of hypertension -if one or both of their parents suffer from it — or persons with overweight to have regular health checks as a precaution.

The impact of hypertension in India cuts across all social strata and, as Dr Desai points out, doesn't leave children. Offspring of parents with hypertension in particular run the risk of inheriting it.

"Unfortunately, we don't recognise the severity of the condition in children," he says. "But children whose parents are identified to have hypertension must be given more attention and treatment for it." 


How to keep hypertension at bay?

People who are obese, working in high-stress jobs/industries or who have constant anxieties need to guard themselves against hypertension.

What kind of food/exercise is best for           hypertension?

Garlic is said to relax muscles and is therefore thought to be good for those suffering from hypertension. It can be eaten raw or cooked, but raw garlic is said to be more effective. Some experts recommend fish, as it is said to contain oils that can lower blood pressure. Foods like chenna, black dal or rajma is also recommended along with fruits and leafy vegetables that provides more vitamin and minerals like potassium needed to reduce blood pressure.Among exercises, Pranayama or the ancient breathing exercise is said to relax the mind and balance blood circulation.