PREVENTION OF ESSENTIAL HYPERTENSION
High blood pressure or HYPERTENSION is the commonest health problem which is potentially preventable.Following approach is considered in prevention of hypertension-
A. Primary Prevention
1.Diet -
Reduction of salt intake to an average of not more than 5gram per day.
Take diet rich in fruits,green vegetables and low fat dairy products
Avoid high alcohol intake
Restrict energy intake appropriate to body needs.
2.Weight-
Maintain normal body weight (BMI-18.5-24.9)
3.Exercise-
Regular aerobic physical activity(At least 30 minutes per day) helps a fall in body weight,blood lipids and blood pressure.
4.Behavioral changes-
Adopt positive thinking
Be relaxed and keep smiling
Adopt stress reduction practice
Yoga and transcendental meditation could be profitable.
5.Self care-
Take blood pressure regularly and keep a log book of the readings.
B.Secondary prevention
1.Early case detection-
This is of paramount importance because high blood pressure rarely cause symptoms until organic damage has already occurred.
2.Treatment-
In essential hypertension, we try to scale down the high blood pressure to acceptable levels.
The aim of treatment should be to obtain blood pressure below 140/90 mmHg and ideally to 120/80 mmHg
Treatment should be more aggressive in diabetes or chronic kidney disease with a goal blood pressure less than 130/80 mmHg.
Care should also involve attention to other risk factors such as smoking and elevated blood cholesterol levels.
The treatment of hypertension must normally be life long to reduce complications of high blood pressure mainly STROKE ,HEART FAILURE and RENAL FAILURE.
High blood pressure or HYPERTENSION is the commonest health problem which is potentially preventable.Following approach is considered in prevention of hypertension-
A. Primary Prevention
1.Diet -
Reduction of salt intake to an average of not more than 5gram per day.
Take diet rich in fruits,green vegetables and low fat dairy products
Avoid high alcohol intake
Restrict energy intake appropriate to body needs.
2.Weight-
Maintain normal body weight (BMI-18.5-24.9)
3.Exercise-
Regular aerobic physical activity(At least 30 minutes per day) helps a fall in body weight,blood lipids and blood pressure.
4.Behavioral changes-
Adopt positive thinking
Be relaxed and keep smiling
Adopt stress reduction practice
Yoga and transcendental meditation could be profitable.
5.Self care-
Take blood pressure regularly and keep a log book of the readings.
B.Secondary prevention
1.Early case detection-
This is of paramount importance because high blood pressure rarely cause symptoms until organic damage has already occurred.
2.Treatment-
In essential hypertension, we try to scale down the high blood pressure to acceptable levels.
The aim of treatment should be to obtain blood pressure below 140/90 mmHg and ideally to 120/80 mmHg
Treatment should be more aggressive in diabetes or chronic kidney disease with a goal blood pressure less than 130/80 mmHg.
Care should also involve attention to other risk factors such as smoking and elevated blood cholesterol levels.
The treatment of hypertension must normally be life long to reduce complications of high blood pressure mainly STROKE ,HEART FAILURE and RENAL FAILURE.