Do you have high BP? How can you prevent it?

According to health experts this condition affects one in every four men and one in every five women here but hypertension is manageable if one exercise regularly, controls their diet and avoid a sedentary and unhealthy lifestyle. Some of the main reasons behind hypertension in young people are stress, obesity, poor dietary habits, and a sedentary lifestyle. Dr Sanjay Gupta, Senior Consultant, Department of Internal Medicine, Paras Hospitals, Gurugram in New Delhi says prolonged hypertension also puts a person at a higher risk of several life-threatening conditions and complications like brain stroke, heart failure, kidney failure, retinal damage and others.

"It is critical to raise awareness about hypertension which sometimes strikes without warning and becomes life-threatening emergency. Hypertension is a serious problem as it causes damage to vital organs. It is important that people have their blood pressure checked on a regular basis," says Gupta. Dr Gupta further said that hypertension is a lifestyle disease but it is manageable. "By maintaining an optimal weight and eating a well-balanced diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables one can control their bold pressure. Junk food, spicy, oily, and food rich in salt must be avoided," he says. He also says that people with blood pressure should avoid any kind of stress and should opt for Yoga and meditation which helps to reduce blood pressure. It is also important for people with hypertension to quit smoking and reduce alcohol consumption.

Dr Sanjay Mittal Director of Clinical and Preventive Cardiology, Heart Institute, Medanta Hospital, Gurugram said people who have an unhealthy weight, sedentary lifestyle, and are exposed to unhealthy activities like excessive smoking and alcohol consumption are at more risk of hypertension.