' Know " the SILENT Killer " ! '

' Know the " SILENT KILLER " ! '

HYPERTENSION / HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE is the 'Silent Killer.

The pressure exerted by blood in the aorta and its branches persistently

exceeds the upper limits of normal and high systemic arterial pressure

causes hypertensive heart disease. It can affect organs such as the

brain, kidney and the heart directly by a) complete obstruction of the

blood supplying vessel. b) diminishing blood supply to the organs.

c) sustained involuntary muscular contraction which can diminish or cut

the blood supply temporarily.

A highl systolic pressure and / or diastolic pressure is a serious development

The extra pressure which results from various causes exerts as strain on the

left ventricle. Which at first generally hypertrophies and manages to maintain

effective circulation against the increased resistance.

However, the muscle eventually weakens, then dilation of the ventricle occurs

and the heart begins to fail. It can lead to either.

Angina pectoris : - Where in there is a sensation ( pain or uncomfortable) in

the breast or the chest, palpitation, shortness of breath and hiccups. or

Cardiac Asthma in which the blood supply to the left ventricle is substantially

choaked off or reduced. or

Congestive failure meaning the failure of the left ventricle because of its

enlargement and thickening. It is usually followed by failure of the right ventricle or

Mycocardial infarction : - a most serious condition resulting from untreated or

prolonged high blood pressure which is generally reffered to as ' heart attack'.
Hypertension can also affect the brain and kidneys which can lead to a stroke

and a possible partial or complete death of brain or renal failure which seriously

affects kidney function.

What causes Hypertension or High blood pressure?

1) Heridity 2) Environmental and aquired stress and tension 3) Smoking

4) A high intake of salt 5) Regular intake of alcohol 6) Obesity

7) A high - cholesterol diet.

Other primary causes : - a) sometimes caused by disease of the kidney.

b) Pregnancy c) Narrowing of the aorta (congenital) overactivity of the

pictuitary glands.

How to prevent and control Hypertension ?

1) Reduction weight : - Medical /Clinical findings have found that weight

reductiony dieting seems to reduce the blood pressure.

2) Reduction of salt intake : - Excessive salt or sodium which comprises

40% of pure salt has been associated with high blood pressure..
Salt is responsible for rention of water in the body. And so the volume


of the blood and the pressure is maintained in the body.

3) Reduction in cholesterol intake : High cholesterol diet results in

hardening of the arteries which is responsible for high blood pressure.

Cut down cholesterol rich and animal -fat foods like eggs, all dairy

products, fatty meats; instead take high fibre foods like vegetables,

fruits, bran, cereals etc.

4) Reduction of emotional stress and environmental tension :- Learn

to relax. ---------- slow down the pace of your life.

.........Convince yourselves you can do more if you are in better health.

.........Consciously check yourselves again and again.

5) Giving up smoking : - smoking immediately accelerates heart rate and

shoots up blood pressure which imposes extra burden on the heart.

Heavy smoking elevates blood cholesterol. The Nicotin in tobacco

increases the tendency of the blood to clot in arteries. 56% Heart

attacks are due to smoking.

6) Reduction in Alcohol intake : - Heavy drinking may cause or aggravate

high blood pressure. Alcohol has a high calori content which usually

leads to obesity.

7) Regular early Morning walking, physical exercises and Yoga asanas, pranayam

( breathing exercises) and meditation keeps healthy.


writers........ Dr. BK Mehra

Dr.BK Lashkan

Summary by R.Krishnakumar.