One third of India's population is likely to suffer from hypertension by 2020, with around 20 per cent of the rural populace too a victim, said health experts on World Hypertension Day, May 17. Experts said that hypertension is on the verge of becoming an "epidemic" and every person with a blood pressure count of 140/90 is considered to be in the hypertensive category. "Studies show that hypertension is likely to end up being an epidemic in the near future; and approximately one-third of our population will suffer from it by 2020. Currently, estimates show that incidence of hypertension is 20 to 40 per cent in urban areas and 12 to 17 per cent in rural areas," said Pratik Soni, cardiologist consultant at Mumbai-based Wockhardt Hospital.
Apart from heart disease, hypertension increases the risk of stroke, heart failure, kidney damage, blindness and many more chronic problems. Some of the major reasons behind the increase in hypertension are eating late, excessive time spent on smartphones instead of physically walking around and communicating with people around, sedentary lifestyles etc. The youth are becoming prey to hypertension quite easily due this sedentary lifestyle and lack of body fitness. Regular check-ups are necessary, especially if their family members are suffering from hypertension. According to doctors, 90 per cent of patients suffering from hypertension are not even aware of their health condition, which can become fatal as the condition also leads to the bursting of brain nerves.
Among all the other major chronic illnesses, hypertension can also lead to kidney scarring, raising an alarm over rise in kidney failures among the younger population. High blood pressure (hypertension) is known to damage the kidneys. If your blood pressure remains controlled, it can gradually reduce the risk of cardiovascular problems such as heart attacks and strokes. Hypertension is both an important cause and consequence of kidney disease. In some patients it can be difficult to determine which came first.
What is hypertension (high blood pressure)?
Blood pressure is the force exerted by the blood against the walls of blood vessels, and the magnitude of this force depends on the cardiac output and the resistance of the blood vessels. The blood flowing inside vessels exerts a force against the walls - this is blood pressure. Hypertension is defined as having a blood pressure higher than 140 over 90 mmHg.
• Normal blood pressure is below 120 systolic and below 80 diastolic
• Prehypertension is 120-139 systolic or 80-89 diastolic
• Stage 1 high blood pressure (hypertension) is 140-159 systolic or 90-99 diastolic
• Stage 2 high blood pressure (hypertension) is 160 or higher systolic or 100 or higher diastolic
• Hypertensive crisis (a medical emergency) is when blood pressure is above 180 systolic or above 110 diastolic.
Causes of hypertension
As acute stress, intense exercise and other factors can briefly elevate blood pressure even in people whose blood pressure is normal, a diagnosis of hypertension requires several readings showing high blood pressure over time. Having high blood pressure for a short amount of time is a normal physiological response to many situations. However, a systolic reading of 180 mmHg or higher OR a diastolic reading of 110 mmHG or higher could be a sign of a hypertensive crisis that warrants immediate medical attention. Blood pressure does vary throughout the day, lowering during sleep and rising on awakening. It also rises in response to excitement, anxiety and physical activity.
Blood pressure also increases steadily with age as arteries become stiffer and narrower due to plaque build-up. Vascular and heart disease also contribute to rising blood pressure in older adults, and a high systolic reading is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease in adults over 50 years old. The disease burden of high blood pressure is a growing problem worldwide, in part because of a rapidly aging population.
