Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is the most common disease affecting the heart and blood vesels. There is an agreement at large that a blood pressure of 120/80 is normal in a healthy adult. Borderline high blood pressure is defined as diastolic press between 85 and 90. Mild high blood pressure is diastolic pressure between 91 and 104.
Moderate high blood pressure is diastolic pressure between 105 and 1 15. Severe high blood pressure is diastolic pressure of 116 or higher. Isolated systolic hypertension is systolic pressure greater than 160 in those whose diastolic pressure is less than 90.
Until recently, hypertension was diagnosed and categorised primarily based upon diastolic blood pressure readings. However, it has long been recognised that morbidity and mortality increase as both systolic and diastolic blood pressures rise, and that in individuals over age 50 the systolic blood pressure is a better predictor of complications.
In theoretical terms, hypertension could result from an increase in cardiac output or in total peripheral resistance or both. In reality, however, the major abnormality in most cases of well established hypertension is increased total peripheral resistance, caused by abnormally reduced arteriolar lumen. For more than 95 percent of the persons with hypertension, the cause of hypertension is known, and in that condition it is called essential hypertension or primary hypertension. The remaining percentage is secondary hypertension, which has an identifiable underlying cause^.w-h as kidney disease and adrenal hypersecretion.
Hypertension’ causes a variety of problems. One of the orga,ifr most affected is the heart. Because the left ventricle in a hypertensive person must chronically pump against an increased arterial pressure, it develops an adaptive increase in muscle mass, (n the early phases of the disease this helps maintain the heart’s function as a pump. With time, however, changes in (he organization and properties of myocardial cells occur, and these result in diminished contractile function and heart failure. The presence of hypertension also enhances the development of atherosclerosis and heart attacks, occlusion or rupture of a cerebral blood vessel and kidney damage. Continued high blood pressure may produce a cerebral vascular accident or stroke. In such a condition severe strain is imposed on the cerebral arteries that supply the brain. This makes them weakened, which ultimately ruptures, causing brain haemorrhage.
The kidneys are another prime targets of hypertension. Continually high blood pressure causes narrowing of the lumen of the arterioles that supply to the kidney, thereby gradually reducing the blood supply. To combat this situation, kidneys secrete renin, which further raises the blood pressure and aggravates the problem. The reduced blood supply to the kidney may lead to death of several kidney cells.
Preksha — Yoga mangement
Shat kriyas – Jal neti and kunjal
Yogic exercises – Of neck and chest
Asanas – Tadasana, Pawan muktasana and Shashankasana
Pranayama – Chandrabhedi pranayama
Kayotsarga – 40 minutes, twice a day
Preksha – Perception of body along with blue colour
Anupreksha – Contemplation of peace
Life style and dietary recommendations –
• To live stress-free and peaceful life
• To stop smoking, consumption of alcohol and coffee etc.
• To consume less salt and fat but more potassium and calcium