Prescription: Hypertension

Every fortnight Dr Sunita Agarwal highlights a common, but often ignored, medical problem.


Hypertension is the name of a condition in which blood pressure is persistently elevated (it stays high for a long period of time). Blood pressure is a measure of the pressure of the blood against the blood vessel walls. Persistent high blood pressure puts undue stress on the heart, blood vessels and other organs.

The causes of high blood pressure

The causes of high blood pressure are a bit of a mystery. About five per cent of patients requiring hypertension treatment can trace their high blood pressure to a physical cause such as kidney disease. Treatment of the disease reduces the symptoms of high blood pressure.

But for 95 per cent of patients who undergo hypertension treatment, the causes of high blood pressure are unknown. Diet and stress are suspected as prime contributors to hypertension, but medical experts aren't exactly certain of all the mechanisms involved. Culture, diet and stress all seem to contribute to hypertension.

As if it wasn't bad enough that the causes of high blood pressure are unknown, recognisable physical symptoms of high blood pressure are almost non-existent. Although some patients complain of dizziness, headaches or blurred vision, most patients only discover they need hypertension treatment when their blood pressure is taken.

These are the main suspects that cause hypertension:

Excess weight
Kidney problems
Smoking
Fats and cholesterol
Lack of exercise
High stress
High sodium intake
High alcohol consumption
Genetic factors

Why is checking hypertension important?
High blood pressure is a serious health risk. Hypertension can cause hardening of the arteries, heart attacks and strokes. Heart and kidney disease, and hardening of the arteries, have been attributed to hypertension. Fortunately, hypertension treatment is well researched and available.

High blood pressure damages the artery walls, making it easier for cholesterol to build up, further increasing the chances for cardiovascular disease. Patients who have previous heart conditions will find that hypertension makes the existing condition worse. Diabetes sufferers are another group who should monitor blood pressure carefully. Chances of heart disease, strokes or kidney disease are increased significantly for diabetics with hypertension. Dietary controls are often used in the treatment of both diseases.

Birth control pills often raise blood pressure slightly over long periods of time. Usually the pills don't raise blood pressure high enough to be a concern, but some women have to change to a different method of contraception if the medication contributes to high blood pressure. Women over 35 who smoke and use birth control pills run a high risk of developing hypertension.

How does hypertension affect the eye?
Hypertensive retinopathy is a condition wherein the hypertensive changes of the blood vessels are seen on examination of the fundus of the eye. One can gauge the damage that has occurred due to high blood pressure on the body just by examining the eye.

How is hypertension treated?
Exercise, salt restriction in diet, reduction of stress are the main hypertension preventive factors. If still uncontrolled, a physician should be consulted for medical control. Yoga has been found to augment relaxation and lower blood pressure.

— Dr Sunita Agarwal can be contacted on dr_Agarwal@vsnl.com or visit website www.agarwalhospitals.com