Drink Alcohol In Moderation
Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol will increase your blood pressure and raise the cholesterol levels in your blood.
Sticking to the recommended amounts of alcohol consumption is the best way to reduce your risk of developing high blood pressure.
The recommended daily limits of alcohol consumption are:
- 3 to 4 units of alcohol for men
- 2 to 3 units of alcohol for women.
A unit of alcohol is equal to about half a pint of normal-strength lager, a small glass of wine or a pub measure or spirits.
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About High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is usually defined as having a sustained blood pressure of 140/90mmHg or above.
The line between normal and raised blood pressure is not fixed and depends on your individual circumstances. However, most doctors agree that the ideal blood pressure for a physically healthy person is around 120/80mmHg.
A normal blood pressure reading is classed as less than 130/80mmHg.
Symptoms In Teens And People In Their Early 20s
Teenagers can develop high blood pressure due to obesity or an underlying medical condition.
Possible medical factors
- endocrine disease, which affects the hormones
- vascular disease, which affects the blood vessels
- a neurological condition
These conditions may have symptoms of their own.
The symptoms of high blood pressure, if they occur, will be the same as for other groups.
A 2021 study notes that, while death rates from cardiovascular disease have fallen among older adults, the reduction has been less dramatic in those aged 1839 years. The author suggests there are lower rates of awareness, treatment, and management of high blood pressure in those aged 2039. With this in mind, they call for more effective identification of high blood pressure in these age groups to help reduce the risk of cardiovascular problems later in life.
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What Are The Risk Factors
Many factors raise your risk of high blood pressure. Some risk factors, such as unhealthy lifestyle habits, can be changed. Other risk factors, such as age, family history and genetics, race and ethnicity, and sex, cannot be changed. A healthy lifestyle can lower your risk for developing high blood pressure.
Things That Can Increase Your Risk Of Getting High Blood Pressure
You might be more at risk if you:
- eat too much salt and do not eat enough fruit and vegetables
- do not do enough exercise
- drink too much alcohol or coffee
- do not get much sleep or have disturbed sleep
- have a relative with high blood pressure
- are of black African or black Caribbean descent
- live in a deprived area
Making healthy lifestyle changes can sometimes help reduce your chances of getting high blood pressure and help lower your blood pressure if it’s already high.
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How Common Is High Blood Pressure
About half of all Americans develop high blood pressure at some point in their lifetimes, but prevalence can vary based on gender, race, age, and where you live. Self-reported rates of high blood pressure prevalence are in counties in the following states:
However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that only about 1 in 5 people with high blood pressure know about their condition, and just 1 in 4 people with a high blood pressure diagnosis have the problem under control.
The Modifiable Risk Factors Include High Blood Pressure Diabetes Smoking Excessive Alcohol Consumption Obesity Depression Physical Inactivity Impaired Hearing Impaired Vision Lower Education Levels Low Levels Of Social Contact And Air Pollution
Representational image. Image courtesy: Shutterstock
Alzheimers is a progressive neurological disorder that causes the brain to shrink and the brain cells to die. Broadly, it is a type of dementia, which is a mental degradation severe enough to interfere with daily life. As the human body ages, the chances of developing such degenerative disorders also rise. According to the Dementia India Report 2020, 7.6 million Indians are expected to have dementia by the year 2030, an estimated rise from 3.7 million in 2010.
As per a study by the Lancet Commission, although 10-15% of patients may first show symptoms as early as 30 years of age, the disease becomes more prevalent in the fifth and sixth decades of a persons life cycle. However, the age-specific incidence of dementia has fallen in many countries, most likely due to advancements in health care, nutrition, education, and lifestyle choices.
The development of a treatment or cure for Alzheimers has been delayed by the challenge of determining the exact cause of the disease, despite decades of research. However, scientific studies on modifiable risk factors for dementia were conducted by the Lancet Commission in 2020, comprising doctors from various specialties such as public health experts and epidemiologists. They have identified 12 risk factors for Alzheimers, which, if managed timely, may prevent or delay dementia.
The author is a Consultant, Neurology, Specialist Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology
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What Diet Helps Control High Blood Pressure
- Eat foods that are lower in fat, salt and calories, such as skim or 1% milk, fresh vegetables and fruits, and whole-grain rice and pasta.
- Use flavorings, spices and herbs to make foods tasty without using salt. The optimal recommendation for salt in your diet is to have less than 1,500 milligrams of sodium a day. Don’t forget that most restaurant foods and many processed and frozen foods contain high levels of salt. Use herbs and spices that do not contain salt in recipes to flavor your food. Dont add salt at the table.
- Avoid or cut down on foods high in fat or salt, such as butter and margarine, regular salad dressings, fatty meats, whole milk dairy products, fried foods, processed foods or fast foods and salted snacks.
- Ask your provider if you should increase potassium in your diet. Discuss the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet with your provider. The DASH diet emphasizes adding fruits, vegetables and whole grains to your diet while reducing the amount of sodium. Since its rich in fruits and vegetables, which are naturally lower in sodium than many other foods, the DASH diet makes it easier to eat less salt and sodium.
What’s The Impact Of Having High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is a major risk factor for developing cardiovascular diseases such as:
- coronary heart disease – where the main arteries that supply your heart become clogged up with plaques
- strokes – a serious condition where the blood supply to your brain is interrupted
- heart attacks – a serious condition where the blood supply to part of your heart is blocked
Diabetes and kidney disease are also linked to high blood pressure complications.
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High Blood Pressure By Ethnicity
Ethnicity and race play a major role in the development of high blood pressure. Hypertension is most often diagnosed in people of non-Hispanic Black backgrounds, with 57.1% of people in this group affected. In comparison, 43.6% of non-Hispanic Whites and 43.7% of Hispanic adults have hypertension.
Blood pressure control also varies by ethnicity, according to the CDC. Non-Hispanic Whites score highest, with about one-third having control over their blood pressure with medication. That number drops to about one-fourth for non-Hispanic Black adults and Hispanic adults.
How Can I Be More Active
- Check first with your healthcare provider before increasing your physical activity. Ask your provider what type and amount of exercise is right for you.
- Choose aerobic activities such as walking, biking or swimming.
- Start slowly and increase activity gradually. Aim for a regular routine of activity five times a week for 30 to 45 minutes each session.
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What Is Known About This Topic
- Hypertension as a causative factor of cardiovascular diseases
- The risk factors and control of hypertension in developed countries as well as the attitude and practice of participants towards hypertension
- Prevalence studies on hypertension in urban areas like the Centre and Littoral regions of Cameroon.
Attitude And Practice Of Community Respondents About Hypertension In Ombe
The prevalence of hypertension was 19.8%. Of all the 243 study participants who took part in the study, 63.4% consume alcohol while 10.3% were smokers and 135 carried out moderate physical activities . Of all the study participants, 208 consume fruits and vegetable and 181 stress up themselves. Out of the 243 study participants, 67.5 % have heard of hypertension, 63.8% have never done any test for hypertension and 12.8 % have been told that they are hypertensive.
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Higher Altitudes Puts More Demands On The Heart
For those who dont live at higher altitudes, short-term exposureespecially to very high altitudes, like in places where people ski or hike mountainshas been associated with an increased risk for stroke, according to research in the journal BMJ Open. Physical activities at higher altitude put additional stress on the heart, the American Stroke Association reports, upping its need for oxygenwhich is in shorter supply. However, researchers note that living up high actually reduces risk of developing stroke because the heart adapts to less oxygen and gets stronger over time.
Medications For High Blood Pressure After Surgery
There are a number of drugs or medications that can be taken to help lower high blood pressure after surgery. These include beta-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors , and calcium channel blockers.
Talking to your doctor is important before taking any of these medicines since they usually have the tendency to react. The wrong dosage or reaction of any medicine can cause side effects and even lead to death in some cases.
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High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy
If not treated, high blood pressure during pregnancy can lead to a number of complications for both the mother and the baby. Hypertension can affect a mothers kidneys and lead to preeclampsia, as well as increase her risk of future heart disease, kidney disease, and stroke.
Quitting Smoking And Limiting Alcohol
If youre a smoker and have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, your doctor will most likely advise you to quit. The chemicals in tobacco smoke can damage the bodys tissues and harden blood vessel walls.
If you regularly consume too much alcohol or have an alcohol dependency, seek help to reduce the amount you drink or stop altogether. Drinking alcohol in excess can raise blood pressure.
If you have risk factors for hypertension, you can take steps now to lower your risk for the condition and its complications.
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Maintain A Healthy Weight
Being overweight is a risk factor for having high blood pressure, and your risk increases further if you are obese.
There are two ways to check if you are overweight:
- Body Mass Index – This is your weight in kilograms divided by your height in metres squared. In the UK, people with a BMI of between 25 to 30 are overweight, and those with an index above 30 are classed as obese. People with a BMI of 40 or more are morbidly obese.
- Waist size – Using a measuring tape place the tape round your waist between the bottom of your ribs and the top of your hip bone. The table below indicates how much your health might be at risk, your ethnicity should also be taken into account.
| Sex | |
| Over 80 cm |
The best way to tackle obesity is by reducing the amount of calories that you eat, and taking regular exercise. Your GP can provide you with further information and advice on how you can do this.
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Air Pollution Affects Oxygen Levels And Blood Pressure
Research done in China and published in the journal Neurology looked at how air pollution affects the progression from stroke to a disease like heart failure. Researchers concluded pollution can play a significant role, not just in stroke risk, but also in how people fare after a stroke. A high level of pollution probably works in a similar way to smoking, which is a major risk factor for stroke, says Italo Linfante, M.D., director of interventional neuroradiology at Baptist Health Miami Neuroscience Institute in Florida. When chemicals are in the lungs, that reduces oxygen in the bloodraising blood pressure and upping stroke risk, he explains.
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With Cold Weather Comes Increased Stroke Risk
Are you more likely to get have a stroke in the winter than the summer? Possibly, but its not because of the season itself. Researchers havent pinpointed the exact reason why cold weather increases stroke incidence, but the American Heart Association points out there are many potential causes that can boost stroke risk: less activity, constricted blood vessels in cold temperatures, and a holiday season filled with stress . Overall, the AHA suggests staying active is the best way to lower risk in the winter, no matter where you live.
Risk Factors For Hypertension
Being aware of the risk factors for hypertension is key to preventing the condition or catching it early. Getting older, being overweight, and certain behaviors such as smoking, drinking too much alcohol, eating too much sodium, and not being physically active can all put you at greater risk. Your family health history can also be a risk factor. If your parents have high blood pressure, your risk of developing the condition is higher.
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Take Blood Pressure Seriously
If left unchecked, hypertension can lead to serious, deadly consequences. There are numerous risk factors involved. Hypertension must be taken seriously, even if there are little to no signs. To be safe, make sure to check blood pressure at least once every 2 years. For more information about heart health, speak with a healthcare provider.
Primary High Blood Pressure
While the specific cause of primary high blood pressure remains unknown, there is compelling evidence to suggest that a number of risk factors increase your chances of developing the condition.
These risk factors include:
- age – the risk of developing high blood pressure increases as you get older
- a family history of high blood pressure – the condition seems to run in families
- being of Afro-Caribbean or South Asian origin
- high amount of salt in your diet
- lack of exercise
- excessive alcohol consumption
A number of health conditions, such as diabetes and kidney disease, have also been linked to an increase risk of developing primary high blood pressure.
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Are You On The Side Of Hypertension
Hypertension is a word used often by medical professionals and with good reason. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , an astonishing 45% of Americans have some form of the condition. Hypertension is another term for high blood pressure, which is the force that blood applies to the walls of the arteries. The heart must pump blood through the arteries at a standard measure of 120/80. A doctor will diagnose a patient with a blood pressure of 140/90 or higher with hypertension.
Who Is At Risk For High Blood Pressure
Anyone can develop high blood pressure, but there are certain factors that can increase your risk:
- Age – Blood pressure tends to rise with age
- Race/Ethnicity – High blood pressure is more common in African American adults
- Weight – People who are overweight or have obesity are more likely to develop high blood pressure
- Sex – Before age 55, men are more likely than women to develop high blood pressure. After age 55, women are more likely than men to develop it.
- Lifestyle – Certain lifestyle habits can raise your risk for high blood pressure, such as eating too much sodium or not enough potassium, lack of exercise, drinking too much alcohol, and smoking.
- Family history – A family history of high blood pressure raises the risk of developing high blood pressure
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Study Variables And Data Collection Procedure
Study procedure: data for this study was collected using a questionnaire adapted from the WHO STEP wise approach to chronic Disease Risk Factors Surveillance- Instrument v2.1 which was administered to participants to permit study objectives to be met. The questionnaire collected data on socio-demographic information, knowledge and practices about hypertension, lifestyle, blood pressure measurements and anthropometric data . It was pretested in another rural community . The questionnaire was administered to study participants by a researcher and anthropometric parameters were measured by the same researcher. The researcher was trained on how to take anthropometric measurements and how to recalibrate measuring instruments after use.
The Difference Between The Top And Bottom Numbers
You will often see your blood pressure, with the first being higher. These numbers are known as systolic and diastolic pressure.
Systolic pressure is when the heart beats and pushes blood against your arteries, and diastolic pressure is when your heart is resting. Everything from diet to physical fitness to your emotional state can affect these numbers.
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How Can I Tell If I Have High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure usually has no symptoms. In fact, many people have high blood pressure for years without knowing it. Thats why its called the silent killer. In 90-95 percent of cases, the cause of high blood pressure is unknown.
A single elevated blood pressure reading doesnt mean you have high blood pressure, but its a sign that further observation is required. The only way to find out if you have high blood pressure is to have your blood pressure checked.