Hypertension is a chronic medical condition is which the blood pressure in the arteries is elevated. This requires the heart to work harder than normal to circulate blood through the blood vessels. Blood pressure is summarized by 2 measurements, systolic and diastolic which depends on whether the heart muscle is contracting (systolic) or released between beats (diastolic) and equate to a maximum and minimum pressure respectively.

 Normal blood pressure at rest is within the range of 100-140 mm Hg systolic (top reading) and 60 to 90 mm of HG diastolic (bottom reading). High blood pressure is said to be present if it is persistently at or above 140/90 mm of Hg.

 Hypertension is a major risk factor for stroke, myocardial infarction (heart attack), heart failure etc. Even moderate elevation of arterial blood pressure is associated with a shortened life expectancy. Dietary and lifestyle changes can improve blood pressure control and decrease the risk of associated health complications although drug treatment is necessary in people for whom lifestyle changes are not enough or not effective.

 Blood pressure is a measurement of the force against the walks of our arteries as our heart pumps blood through our body. The higher the pressure, the harder the heart has to pump.

CAUSES OF HYPERTENSION:

• Smoking.
• Obesity.
• Diabetes.
• Stress.
• Sedentary lifestyle.
• Lack of physical activity.
• High levels of salt intake.
• Increased alcohol consumption.
• Genetics and family history.

SYMPTOMS OF HYPERTENSION:

• Severe headache.
• Fatigue, dizziness, nausea.
• Problems with vision.
• Chest pain.
• Breathing problem.
• Irregular heartbeat.
• Inability to sleep well.
• Palpitations.
• Impairment in digestion.

If it becomes chronic, capillaries supplying blood to retina may become disordered and there may be impairment of vision.

If the blood supply to the brain fails as a complication of high blood pressure, the patient may fall victim to a stroke.

There may be cerebral hemorrhage resulting even death.

MANAGING HYPERTENSION IN AYURVEDA:

It occurs as a result of vitiation of vata. Excessive use of alcohol and other intoxicants, salt, lack of exercise leading to continuous, inactivity of heart muscle under conditions of stress and these all are reasons for hypertension.

TREATMENT OF HYPERTENSION:

Ayurveda aims at treating, the root cause of the disease rather than treating the symptoms. Healing Earth Multispeciality Ayurveda Hospital team treats the root cause of the complaint and if there are stress or psychological factors involved, that can be easily managed with various therapies in ayurveda and by proper counseling.