Checking your blood pressure regularly after the age of 30 can help detect the disease early. Make a healthy diet and exercise a part of your life without waiting for symptoms. Take medications only as directed by your doctor and get tested regularly.
High blood pressure is often called a ‘Silent Killer’ because it often has no obvious symptoms. The main reasons for this are as follows:
1. Excessive salt in your diet
When there is too much salt in your diet, the body retains more water. This causes blood volume to increase and thus the pressure in the blood vessels to increase. Processed foods and pickles play a big role in this.
2. Obesity and lack of exercise
When you gain weight, the heart has to pump more blood to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the cells. This raises blood pressure. Lack of regular exercise also reduces the flexibility of the blood vessels.
3. Stress
When there is excessive mental stress, the body produces hormones like ‘adrenaline’ and ‘cortisol’. These increase the heart rate and constrict blood vessels, which leads to a temporary and then permanent increase in BP.
4. Genetics
If a father or mother has high blood pressure in the family, then the chances of children also getting it are higher. Some specific genetic factors affect the amount of sodium in the body.
5. Bad habits (smoking, drinking)
The nicotine in cigarettes damages the walls of the blood vessels and makes them narrow. Excessive alcohol consumption also affects the function of the heart and raises blood pressure.
6. Other health problems
People with kidney diseases, thyroid problems, sleep apnea (breathing problems during sleep) are also likely to have high blood pressure.
Things to consider to lower BP:
DASH Diet: Include fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your diet.
Control salt: Limit salt intake to less than one teaspoon per day.
Exercise: Walk briskly for at least 30 minutes daily.
Control weight: Maintain a healthy BMI.
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Option 1: “Are headaches and fatigue due to high BP? Identify 6 causes of high blood pressure! Link is in the first comment. 👇”
Option 2: “Beware of hypertension, the silent killer! Here are the causes and solutions. More information in the link below.”
