Prevention of Hypertension

Hypertension or high blood pressure is a common condition that affects millions including children and teens. Normal BP is less than 120/80 the systolic pressure (120) can be elevated up to 130 in stage I high blood pressure is 130-139 / 80-89 and stage II high blood pressure is above 140/90.

The Hypertension arises is higher than 180/120 the caution for high blood pressure. Smoking is a major assume with any kind of tobacco. Obesity and overweight is another major cause of Hypertension as for other non-communicable diseases. The normal BMI should be less than for South-East Asian people. BMI as 30 is overweight and more than 30 is obese.

Lack of physical activity is an emerging problem causing hypertension. With social and technological development and busy schedules of people, the time spent on exercise is very minimal. The recommended daily exercise for children is one hour per day and half an hour for the day for adults. The effective and cardioprotective exercise is not the exercises done in a gym but walking, swimming and riding have a better result.

Too much of salt intake is another cause for Hypertension. The daily recommendation of salt intake is 1 teaspoon (5g) per perfect. Our children consume more salty foods such as cocktail bites, sauce, sausages, cheese and then maybe the future risks of Hypertension.

As for other NCDs, mental stress plays a major role in Hypertension with the fast development of social and technology all the people in an aerial competitor and stress. They are competing to admire unreasonable goals and the social expectations from them a very high, with the limited time frame they can in a race to achieve their goals. Due to the stress, the stress hormones in their bodies such as Adrenalin, Cortical are getting high and end up in Hypertension.

Arising and genetics and family history are difficult to control. But if we can control the other modifiable risk tensions and minimize Hypertension. Due to some other organ families leads to high blood pressure. Chronic kidney disease, Adrenal and Thyroid diseases are some of them.

Sleep apnea is a condition seen in obese people and it also leads to high blood pressure. Among woman sometimes during pregnancy, they can get pregnancy induced Hypertension. It is a temporary condition and it will disappear after pregnancy. Woman how to take birth control pills and also can get Hypotension.

The diet recommended for Hypotension is called DASH. It stands for Dietary Approach to Stop Hypotension. DASH diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts and low-fat dairy foods. This diet helps in weight loss, lower blood pressure and cholesterol. It is very important to prevent obesity Hypotension by lifestyle modification in the early years of life rather than taking medicine for a lifetime.

Dr. Heshani Karunathilake

Medical Officer in charge of Yowun Piyasa, Mithuru Piyasa counselling centre Colombo south teaching hospital, Kalubowila