Hypertension

High blood pressure is common but many people don’t realise they have it because symptoms don’t always show. If symptoms do show a person may experience headaches, shortness of breath, dizziness and chest pain. Simple lifestyle changes, particularly to diet, are recommended for reducing blood pressure. But when it comes to drinking alcohol, especially during the festive season, which drink is best to control your reading? First and foremost, units play an important part for anyone consuming alcohol. Men and women are advised by the government not to regularly drink more than 14 units per week. One unit is equivalent to 10ml of pure alcohol. But there’s not one drink better than the other when it comes to high blood pressure. According to Dr Louisa Draper for Superdrug, having just one drink can increase the risk of developing high blood pressure. She adds: “Drinking more than three alcoholic drinks a day increases your chances of eventually developing hypertension by up to ...

When is high blood pressure dangerous? Medical associations offer widely differing answers. In the USA, for example, patients are seen as hypertensive much sooner than in Germany. A team working with Prof. Karl-Heinz Ladwig of the Technical University of Munich and the Helmholtz Zentrum München has concluded that treating patients sooner does not reduce the risk of deadly heart disease. It could even negatively affect their mental health. In 2017 the American College of Cardiology added a new category to its guidelines for high blood pressure: "Stage 1 Hypertension." Under the new standards, doctors are advised to place patients in this category (130-139 mmHg / 80-89 mmHg) on treatment. For the European Society of Cardiology, that range is defined as "high normal" blood pressure, with no specific action recommended. "The idea behind the US guidelines is to lower blood pressure as early as possible and, by presenting patients with a diagnosis, to encourage th...

High blood pressure or hypertension is one of the most common cardiovascular disorders around the globe. If the numbers by WHO are to be believed, raised blood pressure is estimated to cause 7.5 million deaths, about 12.8% of the total of all deaths. When it comes to managing blood pressure, people need to take into account a variety of factors. Experts say, lack of proper care and awareness may aggravate the condition, and persistently high blood pressures may even lead to stroke and death. High blood pressure patients are told be mindful of their diet. Excessive sodium intake tends to constrict blood vessels, which elevates the pressure. For the same reason, high blood pressure patients are also told to steer clear of spicy food. However, spices of the right kind, used in the right way, may also help manage blood pressure levels better. One such spice that you can consider using in your high blood pressure diet is coriander. Coriander is said to do wonders for your heart health. Ac...

High blood pressure is a common condition that affects more than 25 per cent of all adults in the UK. The condition, which is also known as hypertension, puts extra stress on blood vessels and vital organs. Common high blood pressure symptoms include nosebleeds, coughing up blood, and having an overwhelming feeling of numbness. But you could also be at risk of hypertension if you have a tingling feeling in your hands, it’s been claimed. Most people have felt a tingling sensation in their hands at some point in their lifetime, and it’s usually nothing to worry about. But it could also be caused by something more serious, and could be a sign of hypertension, said medical website LiveStrong. You should speak to a doctor and have your blood pressure checked if you persistently have a tingling in your hands. “Hypertension increases the risk of heart disease, heart attack, stroke and renal disease,” said LiveStrong. “When not controlled blood pressure le...

New Delhi: With an estimated 72 million people suffering from diabetes in the country, India is the diabetic capital of the world. Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition that can lead to complications over time. Cardiovascular diseases are majorly associated with diabetes and are the leading cause of early death among people with diabetes. More than 70 per cent of patients with type 2 diabetes dies of cardiovascular diseases. A recent report published in global medical journal, Lancet stated that there has been 50 per cent rise in CVDs among Indians. Heart Failure is the leading cause of mortality and repeat hospitalizations amongst all CVDs. Heart Failure is a progressive disease, caused due to the weakening of heart muscle, which becomes stiff over time. This reduces the heart's ability to pump blood properly, thereby limiting the amount of oxygen and nutrients circulated to the vital organs of the body. Diabetes can cause heart failure, due to diabetic cardiomyopathy. It i...