Hypertension (HTN or HT), also known as high blood pressure (HBP), is a long term medical condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is persistently elevated.
High blood pressure usually does not cause symptoms. Long term high blood pressure, however, is a major risk factor for coronary artery disease, stroke, heart failure, peripheral vascular disease, vision loss, and chronic kidney disease
High blood pressure is classified as either primary (essential) high blood pressure or secondary high blood pressure. About 90–95% of cases are primary, defined as high blood pressure due to nonspecific lifestyle and genetic factors.
Lifestyle factors that increase the risk include excess salt, excess body weight, smoking, and alcohol.
The remaining 5–10% of cases are categorized as secondary high blood pressure, defined as high blood pressure due to an identifiable cause, such as chronic kidney disease, narrowing of the kidney arteries, an endocrine disorder, or the use of birth control pills
CAUSES
• Lack of Physical Inactivity
• A salt-rich diet associated with processed and fatty foods
• Alcohol and tobacco use.
• age – everyone is at greater risk of high blood pressure as they get older. Prevalence of hypertension is higher in people over 60 years of age
• Size – being overweight or obese is a key risk factor for hypertension
• Sex – males and females have different risk profiles. While lifetime risk is the same for everybody, men are more prone to hypertension at a younger age and women have a higher rate of hypertension at older ages
• Lifestyle – greater intake of dietary salt, excessive alcohol, low dietary potassium and physical inactivity all contribute to an increased risk of hypertension.
Diabetes (both due to kidney problems and nerve damage)
Kidney disease
Pheochromocytoma (a cancer)
Cushing syndrome (which can be caused by use of corticosteroid drugs)
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (disorder of the adrenal glands, which secrete the hormone cortisol)
Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland).
Hyperparathyroidism (which affects calcium and phosphorous levels)
Pregnancy
Sleep apnea.
Classification of Hypertension
Category Systolic Diastolic
Normal < 130 < 85 High normal 130-139 85-89 Hypertension Stage 1 (mild) 140-159 90-99 Stage 2 (moderate) 160-179 100-109 Stage 3 (severe) 180-209 110-119 Stage 4 (very severe) > 210 > 120
Investigations for hypertension.
I. Routine workup
• Physical examination for blood pressure level, for target organ (heart, eyes, brain and kidney) involvement and for any obvious primary cause of hypertension
• ECG (LVH, IHD)
• X-ray chest (LVH, LVF, rib notching)
• Routine urine for albuminuria, glycosuria, haematuria
• Blood urea/serum creatinine, serum electrolytes (hypokalaemic alkalosis – to rule out hyperaldosteronism)
• Blood sugar fasting and post lunch to rule out DM
• Lipid profile
MANAGEMENT
Life-style changes
• Stop smoking/tobacco chewing*
• Loose weight
• Limit alcohol intake (<30 ml/d of ethanol)
• Limit sodium intake (<2.3 g/d
• Maintain adequate intake of potassium, calcium and magnesium
• Reduce intake of saturated fat and cholesterol
• Exercise aerobically on a regular basis, meditation, shavasana
HOMOEOPATIC TREATMENT
Homeopathic Remedies for high blood pressure can be of great help in individuals where the illness is not very old. Homeopathic remedies work perfectly well in individuals where they have not got used to conventional medicines. The biggest advantage of using homeopathic medicines in High blood pressure is that they are natural medicines and show no side effects even if they are used for a prolonged period. Having advised on diet and exercise (where appropriate) and relaxation techniques, the homeopathic prescription is best found when tailored to the individual constitutional make up of a person. Homeopathy does not work in a superficial manner. It just does not aim at alleviating the individual symptoms. On the contrary, the effort is to get the body, the various systems and the immunity back to the natural efficient self. Once that occurs, the body and its own innate defense systems are able to get everything under control. Cure high blood pressure with homeopathy – Homeopathy is one of the most popular holistic systems of medicine. The selection of remedy is based upon the theory of individualization and symptoms similarity by using holistic approach.
This is the only way through which a state of complete health can be regained by removing all the sign and symptoms from which the patient is suffering. The aim of homeopathy is not only to cure high blood pressure but to address its underlying cause and individual susceptibility