HYPERTENSION- THE SILENT KILLER

I must commend my husband for being so health conscious. Of course, once in a way he doesn’t mind eating mouth watering food he likes, but a daily high fat meal is out of the question, and thank God for that watchful eye he keeps over me, stopping me from putting extra salt, or sugar or that extra oil which is really dangerous to health. Eating a healthy diet and walking as exercise is what keeps him fit and free from the silent killer as it is known – High Blood Pressure or Hypertension that can lead to severe damage to then heart, brain and kidney and increases the risk for heart attack, stroke, heart failure and kidney failure.

High blood pressure develops without any sign or symptoms. It is said that you have 90 per cent chances of developing it at some point in your life. High blood pressure does not mean excessive emotional tension, although emotional tension and stress can temporarily increase blood pressure. The normal blood pressure is below 120/80 and 139/89 called as “pre-hypertension” and blood pressure of 140/90 or above is considered high. The first and higher number is the systolic which measures the pressure when the heart beats, and the lower number is the diastolic and measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest between beats.

I’m sure we all would want to know what that cause’s high blood pressure is. There are two forms of hypertension: Essential and Secondary hypertension. There are several factors that cause essential hypertension and is a common condition, while the cause of secondary hypertension is due to a specific abnormality in one of the organs or systems of the body. Essential hypertension develops in groups or societies that have a fairly high intake of salt, genetic factors, obesity, lack of exercise and aging. Causes of secondary hypertension are a symptom of a disease or a factor such as kidney disease, endocrine disease, steroid medicines, contraceptive pills and pregnancy.

High blood pressure if not complicated usually occurs without any symptoms, that is why it is called the “silent killer’ because this disease can progress to finally develop any one or more of the dangerous complications of hypertension such as heart attack or stroke. Some people experience symptoms such as headache, dizziness, shortness of breath, and blurred vision.

A few of the home remedy to be noted if your blood pressure is high: Eat a papaya first thing in the morning every day and do not eat for two hours after that. You can also eat two cloves of garlic first thing in the morning, every day. Another beneficial remedy is eating two apples a day as the pectin in apples helps lower high blood pressure. Avoid meats, sugar, tea, coffee, pickles, and fried food. Eating amla also helps. Another remedy is to drink 2 cups of potato water daily. As cucumbers are good diuretic and calming agent, it helps to bring down the pressure. Try eating a cucumber everyday or drinking ½ cup of fresh cucumber juice along with carrots and parsley. Crush watermelon seeds and put them in a cup of just- boiled water and let them steep for an hour. Stir strain and drink this half an hour before a meal. Talking slowly, and also deep breathing exercises first thing in the morning and last thing at night brings blood pressure levels up to normal.