Hypertension Tips

Causes and Symptoms of Renal Hypertension

High blood pressure is characterized by an increased force that the blood exerts on the blood vessels when it moves through the body. Renal hypertension is a blood pressure disorder where the arteries that carry blood to the kidneys become narrow, as a result of which the blood pressure through these vessels increases.

Causes

It is caused when the arteries that supply blood to the kidney get narrow or get blocked. This can cause the kidney to release specific hormones that signal the body to retain water and sodium. This can put additional pressure on the blood vessels which leads to increased blood pressure. It can also be caused by atherosclerosis which is characterized by hardening of the arteries. Improper development of the arteries can also lead to renal hypertension.

Symptoms

The symptoms of renal hypertension are:

• Feeling confused
• Blurred vision
• Regular headaches
• Bleeding from the nose
• Gradual decline in kidney function
• Possible long-term damage to the kidney
• Feeling lethargic and drowsy
• Loss of appetite
• Dryness in skin
• Muscle cramps
• Breathing difficulties

Treatments

The diagnostic procedure for this disorder consists of blood, urine, doppler ultrasound and CT angiography or MR angiography tests. Treatments for this disorder usually include medications to ease blood pressure. Preventive measures include modifications in lifestyle such as following a proper diet, limiting smoking, restricting sodium or salt in the diet and following an exercise regimen. Steps should also be taken to reduce stress. Yoga and meditation are highly beneficial to control the condition. Sometimes intervention is needed in the form of PTRA and stenting.

Hypertension is commonly witnessed among patients suffering from type 2 diabetes as compared to those who do not have diabetes. Studies have revealed that arterial hypertension among patients suffering from type 2 diabetes is in the vicinity of 40-50 percent. What’s more, a patient suffering from hypertension and diabetes has an increased risk factor for certain other diseases such as left ventricular hypertrophy, dyslipidemia, elevated fibrinogen and hyperuricemia.

The measurement practice:
It is important to measure blood pressure in a person who is suffering from type 2 diabetes with or without hypertension and renal diseases. Blood pressure measurement should be repeated within a month, if the measurement is 150/190 mm Hg. BP should be measured within a couple, of months if BP is greater than 140/80 mm of Hg.

Lifestyle practices:
If a person is consistently suffering from type 2 diabetes and has a BP range of 140/80, the following life style practices should be maintained always:

1. A daily exercise schedule: Hypertension coupled with diabetes can be a dangerous combination. To ensure that a person remains healthy it is imperative to maintain a daily exercise schedule for at least half an hour. Exercise consumes extra calories and helps a person maintain a steady blood-sugar level.
2. Food habits: Food habit is yet another important criterion to maintain good health for a person suffering from diabetic hypertension. Avoiding starch, glucose, and food with high carbs should be a mandate. Refraining from processed food with a high density of condensed fat, sugar and oil will go a long way in maintaining good health. Consulting a nutritionist is the best way to go.
3. Stress is yet another factor that drives diabetic hypertension: A person suffering from regular stress has a greater tendency to fall prey to cardiovascular and renal diseases. The only way to stay away from stress is to ensure that good lifestyle choice are made. A stress -free life can pay rich dividends to a person suffering from diabetic hypertension.

Drug treatment:
A doctor’s first line of treatment hovers around ACE inhibitors. A pregnant woman suffering from diabetic hypertension is typically prescribed a calcium blocker. This is an antihypertensive drug that helps to stabilize the pregnancy and keep complications at bay. For a person who is resisting to ACE Inhibitor, a doctor might subscribe angiotensin 2 receptor. If the BP is not reduced after the first line of treatment, a doctor adds a thiazide-related diuretic along with the ACE inhibitor to expedite the treatment process.

Even after a triple therapy if a person continues to suffer from high blood pressure, a doctor might prescribe an alpha-blocker, potassium blocker or a beta blocker.

Hypertension is commonly known as high blood pressure, a condition in which the heart pumps excessive blood which may eventually cause damage to the arteries. Hypertension generally develops over a prolonged period of time. Hypertension is calculated to be a blood pressure count above 140/90 (millimetres of mercury).

Hypertension is of two types:

1. Primary hypertension: The cause of primary hypertension is not specific. It happens to develop over a period of time.
2. Secondary hypertension: Secondary hypertension occurs due to an underlying health condition. This type of hypertension may develop all of a sudden. There are many causes of secondary hypertension
   • Kidney problem
   • Thyroid problems
   • Congenital defects in blood vessels
   • Excessive alcohol consumption
   • Side effects of certain prescribed medications
   • Intake of prohibited drugs
   • Hypertension and pregnancy

In some cases high blood pressure can develop during a pregnancy. If high blood pressure persists for over 20 weeks, it can cause severe complications. Untreated hypertension can result in premature delivery.

Signs you have hypertension
Hypertension generally does not have any specific symptom. Thus, it can remain undiagnosed for years. Some of the symptoms of hypertension are:

1. Headaches
2. Dizziness102952
3. Nose bleeding
4. Irregular heartbeat
5. Tiredness and fatigue
6. Breathing difficulty

Risks associated with hypertension

1. Heart diseases
2. Stroke
3. Heart failure
4. Vision loss
5. Kidney damage
6. Memory loss

How it can be treated?
Incorporating certain changes to your diet can help in combating the symptoms of hypertension. In a nutshell, a healthy way of living consisting of a well- balanced diet and regular exercises are the most basic ways of treating this condition. Some of the important lifestyle changes that can treat high blood pressure are:

1. Restrict salt in your diet to a maximum limit of 5g a day.
2. Limit alcohol consumption
3. Lose weight by keeping a check on your diet and exercising regularly
4. Manage your stress levels by using relaxation techniques to manage stress levels.
5. Medications are also used to lower the blood pressure
   • Calcium-channel blockers
   • Vasodilators
   • Angiotensin receptor blockers

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

The pressure of blood vessels in the body is referred to as blood pressure. It is essentially the measure of the force of the blood while it travels through the vessels. Doctors measure it with a blood pressure device and a stethoscope. A reading higher than the normal reading is termed as which blood pressure.

Blood pressure during pregnancy is of 3 types:

1. Chronic hypertension: This is the kind of hypertension that could be pre-existent before the pregnancy or has developed after 5th month of pregnancy.
2. Gestational hypertension: This is the type of hypertension, which stays till late pregnancy and disappears suddenly. There are no particular symptoms about it.
3. Pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH): This condition is also known as preeclampsia or toxemia. It can cause serious potential harm if medical care is not taken on time. Both the mother and the baby gets affected if not treatment is not started on time. It typically affects a woman during the 20th week of pregnancy. Some other symptoms include excess protein in the blood and the urine.

The risk of pregnancy induced hypertension:
PIH can have serious consequences on the baby and the mother at large. The placenta fails to carry an adequate amount of protein in urine. This can result in several complications ranging from a low body weight of the fetus to other birth related complications. Once common complications where a baby suffers is known as eclampsia. This is a condition where both the baby and the mother suffer from seizures.

Symptoms of pregnancy induced hypertension:
There are various symptoms of pregnancy induced hypertensions. Some of the visible signs of this condition are vomiting blood, faster heartbeat, acute headaches, swelling of the hands and feet, less than normal urine, nausea, persistent fever, pain in the tummy, dizziness, frequent vomiting, drowsiness and blurred vision. Other symptoms are headache, excess weight gain , edema over feet, abdominal wall and other parts of body. If a woman is facing any one or more of the above symptoms, she should make it a point to visit a doctor at the earliest.

Risk factors of pregnancy induced hypertension:
PIH is frequently observed in those women whose sisters or mothers have faced the same during their pregnancies. The risk factors increase in those women who are carrying more than one baby. A woman who have not attended adulthood or who are above the age of 40 also runs the risk of suffering from pregnancy induced hypertension.

Diagnosis and treatment:
There is no single test that could identify PIH. Along with the usual symptoms, a doctor looks for persistent high blood pressure for any indication. A doctor might prescribe few blood tests to confirm the diagnosis. The treatment that works for this condition is to ensure that the baby is delivered at the earliest. If it’s the condition is detected few weeks before the delivery, a doctor let the condition be as it is, if however, the condition is diagnosed several months before the pregnancy, a doctor can have the baby delivered early in order to ensure the sound health of the baby and the mother.

It is natural to consider whether your heart is beating right and your blood pressure is normal. Also, many tend to think that the blood pressure and heart rate are related to each other. Admit it or not, you must have heard a lot about your heart rate and blood pressure, some of which are outright false. This is the time to debunk them and know what actually the reality is.

Myth #1: Having an erratic heart rate indicates that you will have a heart attack soon
When the heart beats at an abnormal rate, it means you have a condition called palpitation. It may give you feeling as if you have skipped a beat or your heart is racing up. You may also experience a brief flutter or pounding feeling in the chest. The good news is that these sensations are not life-threatening and are generally caused by caffeine, alcohol, medication, stress or exercise.

Myth#2: When the pulse rate is fast, it means you are overstressed
Stress is a condition which may raise the pulse rate. But your heart rate can rise when you feel excited or feel anxious or exercise hard. Even high temperature and high humidity can raise your pulse.

Myth #3: Normal heart rate denotes normal blood pressure
At times, blood pressure and heart rate go hand in hand. For instance, when you feel angry or scared or exercise hard, both of them can go up. But you should note here that they are not always linked. Even if the heart rate is normal, your blood pressure may not be so. It could be too high or too low, but you wouldn’t be able to understand it.

Myth #4: Blood pressure and heart rate are same things
It is important to understand the difference between pulse rate and heart rate. Blood pressure is the term denoting the force of blood moving through the blood vessel. On the other hand, heart rate is the number of times the heart beats in a minute. They are two absolutely separate indicators of health. This means if you have high blood pressure or hypertension, there is no substitute for measuring blood pressure.

Myth #5: Heart rate and blood pressure rise and fall at the same rate
As indicated above, a rising heart rate may not be able to cause the blood pressure to surge at the same rate. Even though the heart is beating more than normal, the healthy blood vessels may dilate to allow easy blood flow. When we exercise, the heart speeds up in order to pump an adequate amount of the blood to the muscles. It could be that your heart rate is doubled, but it is safe since your blood pressure has increased only at a modest rate. In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Pulmonary hypertension is a medical condition that arises when the blood pressure remains consistently high in the vessels of the lungs. This condition can develop from a completely unrelated medical condition and is more prevalent among women. 

Pulmonary Hypertension can be a hard disease to diagnose. While it has no permanent cure, the medication depends on how far the disease has advanced. From group 1 PAH to group 5 PAH, pulmonary hypertension has 5 stages of advancement. 

Here is a list of 10 ways by which this disease can be kept under control along with the prescribed medication:

1. Quit smoking: Smoking aggravates pulmonary hypertension. It has adverse effects on both the heart and the lung. It is therefore of utmost importance to quit smoking. If you fail to control your urge of smoking, contact your doctor who can suggest a quitting plan.
2. Avoid high altitude: Patients suffering from pulmonary hypertension should avoid flying and living at high altitude. An altitude of 8000 feet and above can worsen the symptoms. It is therefore suggested that you do not take flights for travelling or come down below the altitude of 2428 meters if you are living in hilly areas.
3. A healthy diet: A healthy diet consisting of fresh fruit and vegetables, lean meat and whole grains should be consumed on a daily basis. A nutritious diet goes a long way in keeping pulmonary hypertension in check.
4. Adequate rest: A minimum of 8 hours of sleep is recommended for patients suffering from pulmonary hypertension. A good night’s sleep and frequent naps keeps fatigue at bay. 
5. Pregnancy and birth control pills: Avoiding pregnancy is a must for patients suffering from this disease. Pregnancy can be life threatening for the both the baby and the mother. Birth control pills should be avoided as well. It greatly increases the chance of blood clots. 
6. Maintain a steady blood pressure: Any activities that lower the blood pressure should be avoided by all means. Spending too much time in a bathtub or prolonged stress increases the chances fainting.
7. Become more active: Patients of pulmonary hypertension often run out of breath with little to no activity. While activities such as weight lifting should be strictly avoided, some exercise or daily jogging can fetch good result in keeping a patient healthy.
8. Get vaccine on time: Doctors often suggest vaccines if the patient suffers from pneumonia or influenza. It should be ensured that such vaccines are taken on time. For patients suffering from pulmonary hypertension, prolonged exposure to diseases such as pneumonia can wreak havoc.
9. Regular checkup: Regular follow up with the doctor is of prime importance. Any possible side effects or deterioration can be arrested with constant supervision.
10. On time medication: Patients of pulmonary hypertension should ensure that all the medicines suggested by the doctor are taken at regular intervals as per prescribed dosage.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

1- dip cotton cloth in cold water, touch on cord point (nabhi-sthan). 

High blood pressure can lead to hypertension, which is known to cause a variety of debilitating side effects or symptoms in the life of the patient. It can also lead to a number of related ailments which can affect the various organs of the body. The eyes are one of the organs that are most susceptible to this kind of spike in the body’s blood pressure. Let us learn more about the connection between the two.

Retina: When high blood pressure goes untreated for a prolonged period, it can easily start to affect the blood vessels that can be found in the retina. The retina is the third or the inner most layer of the eye which is sensitive towards light and usually helps in refraction. This is where the light reaches so that one can focus clearly on an image. When the blood pressure of the patient stays high for a prolonged basis, there is significant pressure on the blood vessels in this part of the eye which can lead to an eye disease known as hypertensive retinopathy.

Symptoms: Symptoms of this eye disease include lack of clarity and focus when the eye comes to rest on an object, as well as headaches and other vision problems that typically spring from eye strain that one will go through while trying to focus even harder. It may be seen that the symptoms do not appear in the very early stages of this disease.

Diagnosis: The diagnosis of the condition is usually done by an ophthalmologist who will use an ophthalmoscope in order to project light towards the specific part of the eye so that the back of the eyeballs can be examined. The signs that the doctor will look for during the examination include narrowing of the blood vessels in this part of the eye, inflammation of the macula which is the central portion of the retina, and bleeding in the back of the eye. Also, the doctor will check for spots in the retina with the help of cotton swabs and exudates.

Treatment: The best and only way of treating this condition is by keeping one’s blood pressure in control with the help of medication prescribed by the doctor.

Prevention: There are many ways of preventing the onset of this disease, including losing weight so that there is less pressure on the body. Also, one must stick to a healthy diet and exercise regularly after taking recommendations on the appropriate exercises from the doctor. Additionally, it is also important to see a doctor on a regular basis so that there is constant monitoring and regulation of the medicines and the blood pressure.

Intrauterine growth restriction is a condition where the foetus is smaller than it should be according to its age because it is not growing at a normal rate inside the uterus. This puts the baby at risk for several dangerous conditions during pregnancy, delivery and post-birth. Some of these are low weight at birth, caesarian delivery, decreased oxygen levels, low blood sugar, low resistance power, breathing problems and low body temperature. IUGR can lead to stillbirth in extreme conditions and to long-term growth problems too. This is the main reason why prenatal birth monitoring is very important.

Causes
IUGR can occur in expecting mothers who have a problem with the placenta. We already know that placenta is the cord of life that joins the mother with the foetus. It provides oxygen and food to the developing baby inside the womb. Apart from this, IUGR can occur if the mother has:

1. Diabetes
2. Hypertension
3. Heart disease
4. Rubella or syphilis infections
5. Kidney or lung disease
6. Malnutrition or anaemia
7. Twins and triplets also increase the risk for IUGR

The main symptom of IUGR is a small baby for its age in the womb. It may look small and sickly and the placenta is dry and shrivelled.

Management
Dealing with IUGR depends on many factors. Usually, doctors go for a slew of tests to see how the infant is doing. A detailed sonogram is usually performed to look for foetal anomalies. Tests like a urine sample, ultrasound, platelet count and liver function test are also administered to the mother. The mother is put on bed rest to improve blood flow to the foetus and antenatal steroids are prescribed to promote foetal lung maturity. General management also includes treatment of maternal disease like high BP and cessation of substance abuse or alcohol.

For management of IUGR, daily blood pressure measurements, foetal movement profiles, serial ultrasound examinations are important to determine the severity and progression of IUGR. If the situation becomes critical, labour is induced and the baby is delivered by caesarian section.

IUGR can’t be cured and can only be managed so it’s best to prevent it in the first place by keeping all of your prenatal appointments. You must be aware of your baby's movements. If your baby is not moving much or stops suddenly, you should rush to your doctor. You must also not take any medicine without consulting your doctor during pregnancy. Eat healthy and rest fully to have a risk free birth and last, but not the least, stay away from drugs, alcohol and smoke, even second hand, for the health of your baby.

Hypertension or increased blood pressure is one of the modern lifestyle diseases. The changing lifestyles including altered dietary habits and lack of physical activity are the main reasons for the high incidence of hypertension. With this, it brings a host of complications including other chronic diseases like diabetes, kidney failure, risks of stroke and heart attacks.

Alternative medicine proposes quite a number of remedies in addition to just increased physical activity. Read on to know more about how you can eat healthier and control your blood pressure.

1. Eat walnuts: As most books and media depict, heart disease is directly related to physical reaction towards stress. Regular eating of walnuts helps control this response, thereby controlling blood pressure. It is also a great source of antioxidants and fibre, which adds to its heart-healthy features.

2. Load up on minerals: Eating a diet rich in calcium, magnesium, and potassium is extremely beneficial for the heart. Sweet potatoes, bananas, dry fruits, dairy products, etc., have shown to reduce blood pressure extremely well in various experiments.

3. Avoid salt: While the natural sea salt is almost out of use, most of us have switched to the processed variety, which is devoid of all minerals. This is one of the major contributors for increased blood pressure. Studies have shown that reducing salt intake helps in a big way in controlling blood pressure. Most of us are also used to adding extra salt so the food tastes better. This should be avoided. With increased consumption of processed food items, everything from bread to cookies to cheese has salt, which also should be reduced, and if possible, avoided.

4. Have a colourful meal: Load up your plate with peppers, berries, dry fruits, and organic fruits and vegetables. Pomegranate juice is believed to control angiotensin, converting enzyme, which is responsible for controlling hypertension. They are also rich in antioxidants and help control blood pressure by reducing inflammation.

5. Know your cholesterol: While cholesterol is generally used with a negative connotation, it is not always true. There is good and bad cholesterol and the bad one should be avoided. Watch out for labels, and ensure you are eating less of the bad cholesterol. Good cholesterol is required for the production of hormones and proper functioning of the body.

6. Watch your medicines: While it is easy to just pop an ibuprofen when there is a headache or a back ache, it is advisable to watch out. These are best avoided in the long run, as they can induce hypertension and induce heart disease.

In addition, meditation, relaxation, green tea, dark chocolate, red wine, music, and quitting smoking are also shown to be helpful in controlling blood pressure.