Hypertension, also called High Blood pressure is the most common life style disorder in the present era .It is a condition in which the blood pressure is chronically raised. When a person's systolic blood pressure is consistently 140 mm Hg or higher, and/or their diastolic blood pressure is consistently 90 mm Hg or higher it is considered to be hypertensive.
• Primary Hypertension
• Secondary Hypertension
• Isolated Systolic Hypertension: Common in aged people due to reduced vascular compliance, systolic B.P > 160 mm of Hg with Diastolic pressure < 90 mm of Hg.
• Neurogenic Hypertension: It can be caused by strong stimulation of sympathetic nervous system.
Causative factors:
• Hereditary
• Anxiety/Stress
• Sleep apne.
• Secondary to disease for ex: – adrenal disease, Cushing syndrome etc.
• Excessive use of Medications (steroids etc.)
Symptoms
• If your blood pressure is extremely high, you may experience:
• Severe Head ache
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Insomnia
• Chest pain.
• Vision problems
Diagnosis
• Normal blood pressure. Your blood pressure is normal if it's below 120/80 mm Hg.
• Elevated blood pressure. Elevated blood pressure is a systolic pressure ranging from 120 to 129 mm Hg and a diastolic pressure below 80 mm Hg. Elevated blood pressure may also be called Prehypertension.
• Hypertension Stage 1 Stage 1 hypertension is a systolic pressure ranging from 130 to 139 mm Hg or a diastolic pressure ranging from 80 to 89 mm Hg.
• Hypertension Stage 2. More severe hypertension, stage 2 hypertension is a systolic pressure of 140 mm Hg or higher or a diastolic pressure of 90 mm Hg or higher.
• Hypertensive crisis. A blood pressure measurement higher than 180/120 mm Hg is an emergency situation that requires urgent medical care. If you get this result when you take your blood pressure at home, wait five minutes and retest. If your blood pressure is still high , should consult the doctor immediately.
VHG's Integrative Treatment Approach for Hypertension:
Treatment for Hypertension mainly focusses on balancing the three Dosha’s (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) and the Triguna’s (Sattva, Rajas and Tamas)
The line of treatment for hypertension is aimed at identifying the root cause of the condition and then administering herbs, yoga therapy and certain naturopathic treatments such as spinal bath that can treat the root cause. It is imperative to see that digestion is improved and the digestive fire is strengthened. Therefore detox therapies to eliminate the morbid matter is also essential.
Hypertension
When can you say you are hypertensive?
Hypertension is defined as having a blood pressure higher than 140 and over 90 mmHg. Which means your systolic blood pressure reading is over 140 mmHg and the diastolic reading is over 90 mmHg. High blood pressure can be easily detected and there are many ways to control it. Most of the people who have high blood pressure will present with no signs or symptoms, even if blood pressure readings reach dangerously high levels. Hypertension can be correlated with Rakta GataVata/ uccha Rakta chapa in Ayurveda. The increase in blood pressure depends upon a one’s age, sex, physical and mental activities, family history, and diet. Normal blood pressure of a healthy adult individual is 120 mmHg systolic and 80 mmHg diastolic.
Types of hypertension and its causes
Hypertension is of 2 types
Primary Hypertension: develops gradually over many years and there is no defined cause of high blood pressure in this case. Most adults with sedentary lifestyle will have primary hypertension some day in lifetime.
Secondary hypertension: It is the type of high blood pressure caused by an underlying condition. People with kidney problems, fatty liver, thyroid problems, alcohol abuse etc. may develop secondary hypertension.
Risk factors of hypertension
Age: As your age progresses the risk of high blood pressure will increase. Men are likely to develop high blood pressure at the age of 45 years women may develop high blood pressure after the age of 65.
Family history: High blood pressure tends to run in families.
Being overweight or obese: Keep the close eye on your weight. The more you weigh the more blood you need to supply oxygen and nutrient to your tissues. The more blood you need the more blood pressure on vessels will increase, putting pressure on artery walls.
Too much salt in your diet: Too much sodium in your diet can cause your body to retain fluid, which increases blood pressure.
Too little vitamin D in your diet: Vitamin D may affect an enzyme produced by your kidneys that affects your blood pressure.
Drinking too much alcohol, Stress etc.
If your BP is not under control, it may lead to,
Heart attack/Stroke
Heart failure
Weakened and narrowed blood vessels in your kidneys.
Thickened, narrowed or torn blood vessels in the eyes.
Trouble with memory or understanding
Range of blood pressure
category
systolic
diastolic,
Normal
90–119
60–79
Prehypertension
120–139
80–89
Stage 1 hypertension
140–159
90–99
Stage 2 hypertension
160–179
100–109
Stage 3 hypertension
≥180
≥110
Role of Ayurveda Yoga and Naturopathy in managing hypertension
Ayurvedic oral medications, panchakarma therapies ( Biocleansing) such as virechana (Purgation), Basti (Medicated enema), Nasya (installation of medicated drops into the nostril),avoiding causative factors, certain life style modifications will help you to lower blood pressure .Several researches have proved by practicing yoga such as anas, meditation, breathing techniques, pranayamas etc helps in lowering the blood pressure.
Naturopathicapproaches to treating hypertension focus on identification of the underlying cause and then the use of diet and lifestyle modifications, stress management, herbal supplements, and occasionally pharmaceutical medications to aid in its control.
