HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE HITS CITY YOUTH

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE HITS YOUTH


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Biryani and pickles might be favourite,but the high salt content
in these dishes and also in other fast food can lead to high blood
pressure even in youngsters.
Increase in blood pressure levels among those under the age of 25
has local doctors worried. They confirm a UK based study that says
high BP has become a global epidemic. Dr M.B. Rao, general physician
at Yashoda hospital says, "Earlier people in their lates 30s and 40s
developed high blood pressure. But in the last 5-10 years, this
ailment is beign increasingly detected in the Urban youth.
High intake of sodium and fatty foods,smoking, and stress at the
workplace are beign cited as the major causes of hypertension,
a direct result of high blood pressure. Says cardiologist Dr C.Raghu
of prime clinics,"people eat a lot of pickles which have high salt
content. Also youngsters eat too much fast food like pizzas and
burgers which contain baking soda. These items lead to a rise in
blood pressure."
Stress at the workplace is another cause behind hypertension.
According to Dr Rao, people working at BPOs,software companies and
in the media are prone to hypertension due to high pressure jobs.
"Set realistic targets and work towards that goal,"advises Dr Rao.
High blood pressure also has an immediate impact on the heart, brain,
kidneys, blood vessels and even eyes. It increases the chances of
hear attacks, diabetes, kidney disorders, and can even cause blindness.
"Often, this disease shows no symptoms and many youngsters refuse to
accept that they are suffering from hypertension. However, no age
group is immune to hypertension,"Dr Rao adds.
Youngsters should maintain a balanced diet to keep hypertension at bay.
Dr Ravi Andrews, nephrologist,Apollo hospital says, To control blood
pressure levels, it is important to follow DASH - Dietary Approach to
Stop Hypertension. The third National Health and nutrition Examination
Survey (NHANES) lists some of the dietary regulations.

a) One should consume no more than Six grams of salt a day.
b) The diet should be rich in potassium (fruits and vegetables) and
Calcium.

c) Also cut down on food having high Cholesterol.

Apart from dietary regulations some of the basic rules to be followed.
1) Avoid smoking 2) Daily Eight hours sleep in the night is essential.
3) Avoid tobacco chewing products.
4) Daily compulsorily play any game (table tennis,volley ball,basket ball,
shuttle cock) for one hour or do 5 kilometers early morning walk .
5) Daily compulsorily practise one hour Yoga,Pranayama(breathing exercises)
and meditation.

Writer........IPSITA BHATTACHARYA
sunday 19 august 2007
Daily News paper Deccan chronicle Hyderabad