High blood
pressure
Because of
the hurried life we live these days, every complaint is neglected when it
begins and people learn to live with it. People tolerate these complaints
mostly due to difficulty in sparing time to go to consult a doctor or
difficulty in getting appointments with doctors or sometimes due to simple
ignorance. One of the complaints which has been often ignored is hypertension –
high blood pressure (BP). It usually presents itself with occasional giddiness
or imbalance in gait on exertion or unusual headache or sleeplessness or vague
tiredness or leg pain or palpitations or frequent urination. Since these
complaints are not supposed to be persistent, people neglect them. This
negligence may lead one to myocardial infarction (heart attack), heart failure,
stroke (paralysis), renal failure, etc. So one needs to be more cautious about
giddiness.
The competitive world creates lots of tension. Some people react to tension
with anger and some others submerge the feeling. People who have frequent
outbursts and are irritable usually suffer from high BP. They need to go for
regular check-ups to rule out if they are suffering from high BP. Also, since
blood pressure can usually vary in a day with diurnal, physical, physiological
and psychological changes, hypertension needs to be confirmed only after having
the same high levels on 2 or 3 occasions.
One needs to maintain normal blood pressure to have good health. Everyone
should go for yearly blood pressure check-up after 30 years of age and
half-yearly check-up after crossing 40 years of age and quarterly check- up
after 50 years of age.
Hypertension
may arise in a person at any time with or without any reasons. Sometimes it may
be a familial treasure. As it can arise in anyone at any time and remain a
silent killer, regular check-ups are absolutely necessary. Many think that
hypertension is a disorder of the elderly and they would not suffer at a young
age – actually it is not so. Also, some would say staying cool and suave
characters who do not have any tension or do not react angrily to anything,
they will not suffer from hypertension. Here also it cannot be taken as
guaranteed. Further, even though males are the common victims, females can also
develop hypertension. Females commonly suffer from hypertension during
pregnancy or during menopausal period. Alcoholics, smokers and obese persons
should be more cautious about hypertension since they are more prone to it.
Blood
flow
The 5 liters of red blood (supposed to be the average in a normal 65 kg adult)
are circulated in our body with the force (blood pressure) exerted by heart
contractions (pump). In our circulatory system, arteries are the major blood
vessels which carry and distribute oxygenated blood throughout the body with
its branches arterioles and capillaries. Capillaries are the most permeable
parts for transportation of nutrients and oxygen from blood to tissues.
These
capillaries, after diversification into tissues, tend to unite again to form
venules. These venules unite further to form smaller veins which again unite to
form large veins. Veins are blood vessels which collect and carry deoxygenated
blood towards the heart for recharging with oxygen in the lungs. The
force/blood pressure is responsible for supplying/transporting oxygen and
nutrients, perfusion, etc.
Blood vessels which carry blood are elastic in nature, i.e. they are free to
expand and shrink or they readily collapse due to the thin wall and flexible
nature according to the flow or pressure of the blood. Contraction of the blood
vessel is termed as vasoconstriction and dilatation of the blood vessels is
called vasodilatation. Blood flow rate depends on pressure exerted by vessels
(resistance), size and length of the blood vessel, flow direction with
gravitational force, viscosity of the blood, etc. But the major factors which
reflect pressure are ability of distention and capacitance of the blood
vessels.
Blood pressure
is the resistant force faced by the blood against the vessel wall (artery or
vein). Doctors measure blood pressure with sphygmomanometer. The arterial
pressure has the significant value than the venous pump (since it is only a
back flow). Normally, the flow is guided by the heart systolic pump
(contractions). The return of blood to heart is done with passive pump i.e.
muscular pumps which compress veins with movements or exercises. Blood pressure
is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). The pressure of flow in major
artery is 120 mg of Hg during systole which drops slowly with distribution i.e.
with small arteries (70), arterioles (40), capillaries (30), venules (15) and
veins (0-15).
The measurement of blood pressure is a very simple technique, but it provides
lots and lots of information about the heart, blood vessels and health status
of the person. Blood pressure also usually varies according to age, sex, heart
functions, density of the blood, etc. Blood pressure also gets altered with the
requirement of oxygen for the body (exercise/exertion). BP also indicates the
strain of the heart i.e. more the pressure, more strained is the heart. It is mainly
controlled by higher functions of the brain in relation with pituitary, adrenal
and thyroid glands. The factors which usually trigger change in blood pressure
are stress, strain, water balance, sweat, etc.
Blood pressure is required for blood to reach the brain or other parts of the
body up to the tip of extremities from the base of heart. Also, it needs to
travel against gravitation force to reach the brain. If there is no force, the
blood circulation time will be prolonged and it cannot satisfy all the tissues
with its oxygen supply or nutrients.
Normal
blood pressure
The maximum
pressure (systolic pressure) is attained at
the
end of contraction of the heart (systole). The minimum pressure ( diastolic
pressure) is attained at the end of dilatation or relaxation of the heart
(diastole). Pulse pressure is the difference of these pressures. It is raised
in elderly persons and diseased persons. Optimum BP (expected to be normal) is
sketched as 120/80 mm Hg. But variation is widely accepted depending upon the
age, sex, individual, work, sleep, medicines, etc. Pressure that exceeds 140/90
mmHg is considered as hypertension or high BP. The lowered pressure, below
100/70mmHg, is considered as low BP which is also called hypo tension.
High
blood pressure
It is the
pressure reading above 140/90mmHg. Usually, sporting or strong persons will
have strong heart and stable low pressure than normal (120/80mmHg) i.e. it
would be 110/70 (males) or 100/70mmHg (females) but not below that. This lower
pressure usually reduces the risk of cardiac or heart problems. This stable
pressure also indicates that the heart is well trained to withstand any
exertion. If BP stands higher than the normal level for a prolonged time, then
many organs can get damaged.
As untreated hypertension affects all organs/systems and can shorten one’s
life, it is better to be aware of it, its causes and management.
Hypertension
High blood pressure, is one of the very commonest complaints of this
tension-filled world. People are now compelled to face this as a reward for
lifestyle changes/tension culture. As it can remain silent and cause
irreversible damages to every part of the body over time (especially heart and
kidney) which might be fatal in the end, it is really unsafe to neglect it in
the initial stages or to let it be untreated. Blood pressure readings above
130/90mmHg certainly need to cared-for and treated.
Most of the times, hypertension remains silent, damaging all parts of the body.
Now
that people are conscious about taking yearly master health check-up and approach
insurance companies to provide risk insurance for hypertensive people, it has
created good awareness and made people detect hypertension in the early stages
itself. Also, one needs to be more cautious when hypertension joins hands with
diabetes and high cholesterol levels, since this can move any one slowly to
heart attack. So
Never let failures touch your heart
Never let success reach your head
Never let blood pressure (& emotions) hinder your heart and brain.
Incidences
Nowadays,
nearly 1/4th of the adult population suffers from pressure variations and 3/4th
of them suffer from hypertension. In the case of senior citizens (over the age
of 60), more than 60 per cent people suffer from hypertension and its
complications. Likewise, 60 per cent of obese persons suffer from hypertension
after the age of 40. Also, 40 per cent of the people who suffer from
hypertension have hypertension as a familial trait.
Other than incidences of hypertension in old age, due obesity and &
familial trait, researchers’ records reveal that tall people, people of the
black race, females after or around menopause, smokers, heavy drinkers and
sedentary workers are more prone to hypertension. Persons who suffer from
diabetes and high cholesterol are also more vulnerable to high blood pressure
and complications. The persistent job tension, lack of sleep, worries, anxiety,
tension-filled life, etc., and overeating non-vegetarian food, fatty diet, fast
food, smoking, drinking alcohol often provide a ladder to high blood pressure.
After all the incidences and causes have been related scientifically and with
experience, when the medicine world sees a cool, relaxed, tension free,
teetotaler suffers from hypertension without any family history, there arises a
suspicion of a bias or incompletion in our records. Still Nature’s treasure is
hidden and seems to be a miracle.
Types
Blood
pressure may get increased persistently or temporarily. Temporary increase in
blood pressure needs to be cared for with lifestyle changes, whereas persistent
rise in blood pressure needs to be treated with medicines. The temporary causes
may be
- Physiological –
Sleeplessness, exertion/exercises, pregnancy and delivery can cause
temporary increase of blood pressure
- Psychological –
emotional tension and stress can temporarily increase blood pressure
The
persistent increase in blood pressure may be due to specific reasons or may not
be so. They can be classified as two types. They are:
Essential hypertension – Most of the hypertension cases fall
in this category. It is otherwise called primary hypertension. This essential
hypertension usually strikes due to unknown causes, affects both sexes and is
more correlated to lifestyle changes, body constitution, resistance of blood
vessels and is hereditary.
Secondary
hypertension –
This type of hypertension comes as a secondary or as a compliment to other
disorders or disease or drugs, hence the name, “secondary hypertension”. For
example – renal arterial stenois, hydronephrosis, renal failure, heart failure,
etc.
Common
causes
In most
hypertension cases, the real cause remains unknown. Hypertension is not
supposed to be a disorder of the elderly even though many of the old people
commonly suffer from it. It is not a male disorder even though
males more
commonly suffer from it. It is not supposed to descend only from familial trait
even though its incidence is more in particular families. It is also not
supposed to be an emotional disorder even though it can be seen in all cases of
emotional conflicts (in office or home). Now researchers have identified lots
of causes in correlation with occurrence of hypertension. They are:
- Blood – Increased
volume, more density, polycythaemia (increased RBC’s), etc.
- Blood vessels & heart
– Diseases of blood vessels – stiff and hardened blood vessels due to
depositions (fat), high pumping efficiency of enlarged hypertrophied
heart, narrowing (stenosis) or obstruction in renal blood vessels, etc.
- Hormones – Increased
secretion of adrenal, pituitary, thyroid and parathyroid glands
- Temperatures –
Exposure to extreme temperatures of cold and hot (sunstroke).
- Infections –
Pancreatitis, peritonitis, pulmonary oedema, septicemia, etc.
- Diseases – Diabetes,
high cholesterol / hyperlipidemia, kidney dysfunctions and infections,
stroke, migraine, encephalitis, increase in intra-cranial pressure, etc.
- Drugs – Medicines
used for depression, pain, congestion, contraception, etc., may alter
blood pressure levels.
- Habits – Sedentary
lifestyle, smoking, alcohol and addiction to drugs, coffee, tea, more
intakes of chips and pickles.
- Mind – Prolonged
suffering from stress, tension, anger and emotional conflicts
- Constitution –
Obesity
Symptoms
In many a case, it may present itself even
without showing a single symptom, since everyone gets accustomed to the slowly
developing persistent conditions. So, often people used to identify
hypertension in later stages through its complications. But, any sudden change
in pressure or very high levels will usually alarm or alert one with symptoms
of giddiness or instability.
Usually, every complaint will be cared for automatically by our body (Natural
cure – Miracle of Nature). For hypertension also, nature takes care of the body
on its own: at best with frequent urination, excessive perspiration and
compelling one to take rest to reduce one’s blood pressure. Due to these
adjustments between development of high blood pressure and the body’s natural
care, blood pressure readings, complaints/symptoms may be fluctuating in the
initial stages. If the body’s natural care could not cope with the situation,
the persistent high reading of blood pressure follows with its symptoms and
complications. The symptoms of
high BP are
more or less the same as with low BP i.e. hypotension. Sometimes, constant
tension/anger at even trivial problems, and sleeplessness may be the first
guiding symptoms to get investigated for hypertension. The common symptoms are:
- Fainting or reeling
sensation or giddiness
- Low vitality or
weakness or easy fatigability or exhausted feeling
- Irritability and
prone to get angry soon
- Profuse sweating
- Frequent urination
- Headache and stiff
neck with a sensation of heaviness or fullness
- Lack of
concentration with sleepiness or sleeplessness (confusion and drowsiness)
- Palpitation and
occasional chest pain
- Shortness of
breath/breathlessness
- Tremors and
irregular heartbeat
- Bleeding from nose
- Tinnitus or noises
in ears
Diagnosis
Fast, full and pounding pulses can give an
idea about hypertension. Any way, it can be easily made out with the help of a
BP apparatus (sphygmomanometer). But, as blood pressure tends
to vary
widely with variable physical exertions, physiological nature and psychological
causes, it is necessary to confirm it on two or more occasions at different
timings before proceeding for treatment. Also, the measurement needs to be
analysed while lying, sitting and standing. Further, it is better to evaluate
the person on a whole to find or rule out the underlying causative factors with
master health check-ups. So one needs to undergo
- Blood tests for Tc,
Dc, Esr, Hb, lipid profile, sugar, creatinine, urea, thyroid hormones (T3,
T4, TSH), etc.
- Urine tests for
sugar, albumin and deposits
- X-ray chest, ECG and
Echo cardiogram – to analyse the heart chambers, functions, blood flow and
its pumping efficiency.
- Finally, ultra sound
abdomen scan to rule out involvement of liver and kidney as complication
or causative factor.
Tolerance of
high blood pressure commonly varies from person to person. I.e. some
would
tolerate even very high BP like 220/120 mm of Hg, but some others would suffer
even with its rise of 150/100 mm of Hg with assorted sets of symptoms to
becoming bedridden. Normally now, for the age group 20-40, BP up to
130/90 mm of Hg is considered/accepted as the normal range and for the 40-60
age group, 140/90 mm of Hg is considered/accepted as the normal range and for
the 60+ age group, 150/90 mm of Hg is considered/accepted as normal range. But,
to be on the safer side, it is better to maintain blood pressure level always
below 130/90. Diastolic pressure needs to be cared for more than the systolic
pressure as it indicates pressure exerted on the heart (strain of the heart).
It should not exceed 100mg of Hg.
Complications
Every
complaint when not treated properly often frustrates one with complications.
The complications of an ailment usually occur depending on the site of action
and period of suffering. High pressure is capable of damaging all parts of the
body except the hair, nails and teeth. Pressure can burst blood vessels to
induce bleeding i.e., small petechial (very minute red spot) haemorrhages to
profuse bleeding in any part of the body. It can also damage the parts by
pressure itself or with induction of high perfusion to cause the tissue to
swell and get disfigured. It can cause angina, ischaemic heart diseases, heart
failure, renal failure, Hydronephrosis, intra-cranial bleeding, stroke, retinal
hemorrhage, blindness, Epistaxis, tinnitus, etc.
Prevention
and management
In the initial stages, the patient themselves
can keep hypertension
under control
even without any medication, i.e. by changing lifestyle, controlling emotions,
nutrition, exercise, dietary changes, losing weight, etc. Traditionally,
garlic, onion, olive oil, etc., are used and said to have a good effect on
hypertension and the heart. The other common essentials for controlling
hypertension are:
Do’s
- Change lifestyle to
cope up with the condition
- Monitor blood
pressure regularly to maintain it in the normal range
- Exercise regularly
at least for half-an-hour (preferably walking than jogging)
- Monitor your weight
regularly and try to reduce weight at your best
- Sleep at least for 8
hours per day
- Meditation to make
the mind calm and relax the body
- Take plenty of
vegetables, fruits, juices, etc., to energise your blood and body
- AVOID
- Stress and strain
- Anger and worries
- Fatty, fried and
salty diet, snacks
- Non-vegetarian food,
especially mutton. Chicken and fish can be taken within limits
- Smoking,
drinking/coffee/tea
- Hot sun and extreme
cold weather
- Vigorous exercises
which causes profuse sweating
- Unnecessary drugs
- Being overweight
- Constipation and
violent cough
Treatment
options
As hypertension comes often with complications, it is better to start treatment
as early as possible to halt every facet of complaint and complications. The
sufferer can opt for any system of medicines to control hypertension. The only
thing is, it should be maintained in the normal range without much variations
or oscillations and treated without any side-effects or with negligible
side-effects. Each system will have its own limitations and advantages. One can
choose advantageous remedy in adequate quantity to bring forth good control
over high BP with the help of experts.
On getting diagnosed as hypertension, one would hesitate to start or opt for
medications and/or go in search of experts to consult for a way to get cured.
Also, people often would like to try an alternative system of medicines to get
cured. In fact, many a time, hypertension needs medication for life time (in
all systems of medicines) and only in a few cases, for people who take care by
changing their lifestyle, emotions, stress, weight, habits, sleep, food, can it
be maintained in the normal ranges without any medication or with short-term
medication. They too may need medicines in future or in the near future even
while following all precautions/preventive measures in a strict manner. It is
always better to opt for treatment with a nearby family physician since one
needs a check-up every three months.
One should
also be aware of the adverse effects of the medicines. You should compare the
advantage of drugs overruling their side-effects with the effects of
hypertension. As most of the drugs act through the blood to act on blood
vessels and other sites, side-effects are inevitable and high toxic quantity
can damage the liver and kidney. I.e. whatever the medicines we have, liver
(purifier) will break them down to get easy filtering out in the kidney
(eliminator). As this natural detoxification process works in s continuous
process, you need to take medicines daily as maintaining dose to maintain
normal pressure levels. So, you must be conscious and cautious in adding
medicines for not loading liver and kidney’s work.
Some people take medicines regularly and some others intermittently or
irregularly. When medicines are taken regularly, there won’t be any problem at
all except the drug effects, but when BP medicines are taken irregularly, it
causes sensitive unpredictable ups and downs in the blood pressure. This will
cause strain on heart, blood vessels to end in irreversible damage. So once
medication is opted, it should be taken regularly. Also you should be cautious
about the dosage and in bringing down the high BP to normal level, i.e., BP
should not be brought to normal level immediately from a very high level all of
a sudden since it may cause shock-like symptoms or sometimes may end in
fatality.
General
treatment
In Allopathy,
to keep BP under control, medicines are selected according to the causes.
Treatment point of view always differs according the condition i.e., it differs
for complicated and uncomplicated hypertension, likewise it differs for
diabetic cases, nephrology cases, cardiac cases, etc.
To
- Dilate the blood
vessels to lower the blood pressure – Vasodilators, calcium channel
blockers / calcium antagonists are prescribed
- Eliminate water content
more frequently to lower the blood volume and thus pressure – Diuretics
are used
- Treat / support
heart to function in better way without any strain – Nitrate preparations,
calcium channel blockers, beta blockers and low dose aspirin are used
- Treat psychological
conditions – Anti depressants are used
- Treat sleeplessness
– Sedatives are used
- Treat high
cholesterol – Statin drugs (Antilipidemics) are used
- Treat renal origin
hypertension – angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors /
angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) / alpha blockers are used
Treating
hypertension according to the cause and using diuretics / calcium antagonists
usually give amazing results instantly. However, now people are getting
prescribed with multiple drugs to control hypertension on a precautionary
ground or as a safety measure with all types of drugs (one for vasodilatation,
one for better urine output, one for good sleep, one for calming the mind, one
for lowering cholesterol level, etc., + supplements). This approach is not good
as they are also prescribed and need to be continued for life time. These
dealings will often bring early drug effects and side-effects. The common
side-effects of anti-hypertensive drugs are dizziness, sleepiness, discomfort,
lack of concentration, headache, tremor, impotence, etc. So, unless otherwise
drugs are used within limits, one needs to suffer with artificial complex drug
disease also in addition to hypertension effects.
Homeopathic approach
One of
the commonest reasons people seek Homeopathic care is for the cure provided by
refined medicines, i.e. permanent relief without any side-effects. In
hypertension cases (essential hypertension), when Homeopathic treatment is
provided constitutionally in the initial stages, there are chances for cure or
at least hypertension can be postponed for 3-5 years. But in all other cases,
in Homeopathy also, one needs to depend on medicines to keep high blood
pressure under control. Also it is helpless while one opts for high blood
pressure treatment after the prolonged use of massive doses of allopathic
medicines. Here they can get Homeopathic treatment for complications along with
their existing allopathic medicines. No need to fear of interactions or side-effects.
One major advantage of Homeopathy is it has no side-effects. Unlike other
systesm of medicines, it doesn’t act through the blood after digestion of the
drug materials, i.e., it acts simply through nerve endings in the tongue. It
reaches the brain from there and works from that higher level. As Homeopathic
drugs take the route of nerves one can skip contamination of blood and
side-effects of drugs in various organs. Every disease needs care in the
initial days itself to root out the complaints or otherwise it can grow roots.
Appropriate Homoeopathy medicines, when administered with the guidance of an
expert, can ease the condition and assist in preventing further complications.
Homeopathic treatment can provide a natural way to reduce one’s blood pressure
by rooting out the cause, treating anxiety, tension and restlessness. The
sufferer should also overcome stress and strain by quitting impulsive habit,
calming their mind and relaxing the body. Homeopathy can cooperate and help
them cope with the situation. Every patient has their own pattern of falling
ill and will experience different sets of symptoms even for the same illness as
per the diagnosis. Hypertension is in no way an exception.
By emphasising on individualisation, Homeopathic treatment will be provided on
a constitutional basis (analysing the patient and his symptoms as a whole).
Homeopathy treats the patient (their symptoms) in all ways, always. For
selecting the right drug it gives importance to the character of onset of
symptoms, its aggravating or precipitating factors, and characteristic symptoms
of patient, exciting cause, thirst, sweat, shivering, appetite, sleep, stool
habit, mental restlessness, relieving factors, associated symptoms, etc.
Comfort feeling can be felt only by the patient and cannot be examined or
diagnosed by doctor or lab findings. This well-being sensation and comfort
feeling will be provided commonly as the first improvement with Homeopathic
medicines.
Homeopathic medicines commonly used in cases of hypertension are Acid flour,
Aconite, Allium sativa, Apis mel, Ars alb, Aurum met, Aurum mur, Belladonna,
Bartya mur, Bryonia, Cactus, Calc carb, Ceanothus, China, Conium, Crataegus,
Ferrum met, Gelsemium, Glonoine, Ignatia, Lachesis, Lycopodium, Nat mur,
Passiflora, Phosphorus, Plumbum met, Pulsatilla, Rauwolfia, Strophanthus,
Veratrum viride, Viscum Album etc. These medicines should be taken under the
advice and diagnosis of a Qualified Homoeopath.
for
new hope
Dr. S. Chidambaranathan, BHMS, MD (Homeo)
Laxmi Homeo Clinic
24 E. New Mahalipatti Road
Madurai, TN 625 001
India
Tel: +91-984-319-1011 (Mob /
Whatsapp)
Clinic : +91-452-233-8833 |
E-mail: drcheena@gmail.com
(Disclaimer: The
contents of this column are for informational purpose only. The content is not
intended to be a substitute for professional healthcare advice, diagnosis, or
treatment. Always seek the advice of healthcare professional for any health
problem or medical condition.)