Hypertension (HTN), a medical term for high blood pressure, is a long-term medical condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is ...
Hypertension (HTN), a medical term for high blood pressure, is a long-term medical condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is persistently elevated. The disease is considered as “the silent killer”; most people with hypertension are unaware of the problem as it may have no warning signs or symptoms and is one of the leading causes of premature death worldwide. Of the estimated 1.13 billion people with hypertension, fewer than one in five have it under control. It is a primary risk factor for cardiovascular disease, including stroke, heart attack, heart failure, and aneurysm.
World Hypertension Day was first inaugurated in May 2005 by The World Hypertension League (WHL) and has become an annual event. The purpose of WHD is to promote public awareness of hypertension and to encourage citizens of all countries to prevent and control this silent killer, the modern epidemic. WHL has expanded its theme this year, ‘Measure Your Blood Pressure, Control It, Live Longer’ to increase awareness about the dangers of high blood pressure for people around the world. In this pandemic, World Hypertension Day (WHD) 2020 has been postponed until October 17, as it becomes important for every individual to remember to take precautionary measures against hypertension. Lifestyle factors, such as physical inactivity, a salt-rich diet with high processed and fatty foods, and alcohol and tobacco use, are reasons for increased disease burden, which is spreading at an alarming rate from developed countries to emerging economies.
Lifestyle changes that individuals can make for themselves to improve their blood pressure include:
- · Losing weight if they are overweight
- · Eating more polyunsaturated fat
- · Reducing the salt content of their diet
- · Taking regular exercise
- · Making sure that they are sensible about their alcohol intake
In addition to lifestyle changes, some medications to treat high blood pressure include thiazide diuretics, ACE inhibitors, and calcium channel blockers.
Hypertension is a chronic disease. It can be controlled with medication, but it cannot be cured. Therefore, patients need to continue with the treatment and lifestyle modifications as advised by their doctor and attend regular medical follow up, usually for life.
References-
Deepa Acharya
B.Pharm, Fifth Semester
SHAS, Pokhara University
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