Hypertension Is Preventable: Here's How to Manage It Effectively
Last Updated:
Hypertension is largely preventable and manageable through conscious lifestyle choices and increased awareness
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is often called the 'silent killer" because it can quietly damage the body for years before symptoms appear. The good news? Hypertension is largely preventable and manageable through conscious lifestyle choices and increased awareness. Dr. Satish Koul, Senior Director & Unit Head, Internal Medicine, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram, shares all you need to know:
Maintain a Healthy Diet
A heart-friendly diet plays a crucial role. Focus on fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy. Reduce salt intake—excess sodium raises blood pressure. The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet is a proven method for lowering blood pressure.
Exercise Regularly
Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity most days of the week. Walking, cycling, swimming, or even dancing can improve heart health and help keep your blood pressure in check.
Limit Alcohol and Quit Smoking
Drinking in moderation and avoiding tobacco significantly reduce your risk. Both habits are strongly linked to elevated blood pressure and heart disease.
Manage Stress
Chronic stress may contribute to high blood pressure. Practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, yoga, or engage in hobbies you enjoy to help stay calm and centered.
Take Medications If Prescribed
If lifestyle changes alone aren't enough, your doctor may prescribe medications. Always follow medical advice carefully and never skip doses.
First Published:
May 17, 2025, 15:18 IST
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
Are you getting angry too often? It might be a sign of this lifestyle disease
While occasional frustration is normal, frequent bouts of anger could be linked to more than just a bad mood. It might be a subtle sign of a significant lifestyle disease: high blood pressure (hypertension). Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is sometimes referred to as the "silent killer" because it never normally presents clear-cut symptoms. But emotional stimuli such as recurring anger, stress, and irritability could be warning signals that your blood pressure is getting out of balance. When you're angry, your body lets loose stress hormones that make your heart beat faster and your blood vessels constrict, temporarily increasing your blood pressure. But if this becomes a habit, it can cause long-term damage. According to Dr. Vijaya Parmar, Consultant, Non-Invasive Cardiology, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai, 'Middle-aged people are particularly susceptible due to fluctuating hormone levels, increased stress from work or domestic duties, and lifestyle. Unchecked, high blood pressure can have a significant role to play in increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney issues.' Treating this lifestyle disease does not necessarily involve making a complete change, but it does necessitate commitment to some significant changes: • Eat smart: Adopt the DASH diet that is high in fruit and vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy and reduce salt and processed food • Get moving: At least 30 minutes of moderate activity, such as brisk walking or cycling, on most days • Manage stress: Regular daily activities such as deep breathing, meditation, or just spending time on hobbies can induce calm and balance • Limit alcohol and caffeine: Moderation is also the key, as too much can raise BP • Monitor regularly: Routine checks at home or with your doctor help keep track and adjust treatment if needed Some more lifestyle changes are to lose extra weight and watch your waistline, Quit smoking. Get good sleep and stick to sleep schedule and Regular check on your cholesterol and blood sugar If you're feeling angry too often, it's worth taking a deeper look; it could be your body's way of signaling that your blood pressure is on the rise. Early detection and consistent management can make all the difference. 12 signs you are an old soul One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
NDTV
4 days ago
- NDTV
Headaches And Other Symptoms Of High Blood Pressure You Shouldn't Ignore
High blood pressure or hypertension is more dangerous than you think. When left uncontrolled, high blood pressure can put you at a higher risk of serious health conditions like heart disease, stroke, kidney damage and many more. Headaches are also one of the common side effects of hypertension that can often affect an individual's day-to-day functioning. Hypertension headaches are typically defined as headaches that occur in individuals with high blood pressure (hypertension). These headaches can manifest as a result of significant elevations in blood pressure, resulting in throbbing pain, similar to tension headaches. High blood pressure and headaches: What's the link Hypertension can cause headaches, particularly when blood pressure becomes dangerously high. This is often accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, and visual disturbances. Levels rise considerably. This is often accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, and visual disturbances. Most individuals with mild hypertension are less likely to experience headaches. Severely high hypertension can trigger headaches due to the increased pressure on blood vessels, which can lead to changes in blood flow and potentially result in pain. People who suspect that they have symptoms of high blood pressure should not ignore them. Other symptoms of hypertension include: Most people with hypertension don't experience any symptoms which is why it is often referred as a silent killer. However, very high blood pressure can contribute to the following symptoms: Chest pain Severe headaches Dizziness Nausea Vomiting Blurred vision Anxiety Confusion Nosebleed Abnormal heart rate Regularly checking blood pressure is the only way to detect high blood pressure. If you have been experiencing the above mentioned symptoms, it is important to seek medical help to prevent serious complications associated with it. However, hypertension can also be effectively managed with diet and lifestyle changes. Following a DASH diet, regular exercise and eating potassium rich foods can help regulate blood pressure effectively.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
5 days ago
- Business Standard
Infectious variants, viral season behind Covid surge, say experts
Doctors and epidemiologists say that a combination of the emergence of mild but infectious variants, decreased testing and the onset of the viral season is behind the sudden rise in Covid-19 cases from just 35 on April 28 to over 3,700 within a month. This comes as India recorded 3,758 active Covid-19 cases on June 1, with five states — Kerala, Maharashtra, Delhi, Gujarat and Karnataka — accounting for 76 per cent of the total infections in the country, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Among states, Kerala has the highest caseload of 1,400 — a rise of 970 cases over the last week. It is followed by Maharashtra at 485 cases, of which 50 were reported on Saturday. Delhi too saw an increase of 332 cases since May 26, with the national capital currently reporting 436 active Covid-19 cases. Similarly, Gujarat and Karnataka are also reporting high caseloads at 320 and 238 active cases respectively. The surge has been more pronounced in the last weeks of May 2025, with health ministry data suggesting that India saw a 272 per cent rise in cases within the six-day period from May 26 (1,010 cases) to June 1. Neha Rastogi Panda, consultant–infectious diseases at Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram, said that Kerala, Maharashtra and Delhi are seeing a notable uptick in infections from emerging subvariants of the JN.1 variant such as NB.1.8.1 and LF.7. According to data from the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (Insacog), India has already detected six cases of the LF.7 variant from Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. Similarly, two cases of the NB.1.8.1 subvariant have been detected from Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu this month. While these subvariants may not be behind India's current surge, JN.1 still remains the dominant strain in the country. According to sources in the ministry, the surge is being led by the JN.1, XFG and LF 7.9 variants, which belong to the Omicron family and cause mild infections. 'A notable but gradual increase in cases of acute respiratory illnesses caused by seasonal influenza, SARS-CoV-2 and respiratory syncytial virus is being seen in some parts of the country,' sources in the ministry added. Panda added that while high transmission is also being observed, there is no rise in severe cases that may require hospitalisation. Another doctor added that a reason behind the rise in cases could be increased testing. 'Rising case numbers have led to an uptick in testing, which had reduced considerably over the year,' he added. Sabine Kapasi, advisor, public health and healthcare services, and strategist with the United Nations Covid-19 Task Force, said that while the numbers are not alarming, they do signal a need for vigilance. To counter the current surge, several states and union territories have issued advisories asking both government and private hospitals to ensure preparedness in terms of beds, oxygen, antibiotics and other drugs. State governments have also asked hospitals for daily reporting of influenza-like illnesses and severe acute respiratory illnesses to the Centre's Integrated Health Information Platform. Central health authorities have also swung into action, holding several review meetings to assess the situation in the country. According to reports, Union health secretary Punya Salila Srivastava has asked all states to submit an action taken report over preparedness plans by June 2.
