Hypertension: Facts about High Blood Pressure

Hypertension

  • Hypertension (HTN) also known as high blood pressure, is a constant elevation of systemic arterial blood pressure, and can affect anyone.
  • HTN is the most common diagnosis in the United States effecting one in three Americans, with two thirds of those being over the age of 60.Approximately 75 million adults in the United States are affected by hypertension.
  • HTN is more common in men than women until the age of 45 at which the prevalence in men and women even out. Women who use oral contraceptives, particularly obese and older women, have a 3-fold higher risk of hypertension.
  • African American adults have the highest rates of hypertension, with an increasing prevalence

 

Physical Inactivity and Unhealthy Diet

  • Physical inactivity and unhealthy diet are two risk factors associated with various cardiovascular disease like coronary heart disease, rheumatic heart disease, atherosclerosis, high blood pressure and congestive heart failure.
  • The combination of these two risk factors lead to decreased functioning of the cardiorespitory system and an increase in cholesterol; which contributes to the build of plaque on the walls of the arteries.
  • Studies have found that an increase in the appropriate physical activity and a healthier diet have been proven to lower blood pressure and decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease.

DASH DIet

  • The DASH  (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet has been proven to lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol, and improve insulin sensitivity.
  • The DASH diet is based on an eating plan proven to lower blood pressure, a plan rich in fruits, vegetables, and low-fat or nonfat dairy.

Meditation

  • Meditation has been shown to be beneficial in many areas of health, including relaxation, reducing muscle tension and promoting mindfulness.
  • Meditation is a part of complementary and alternative medicine therapies; a national survey on the use of this mind and body form of medicine showed increased usage between 2002 and 2007.
  • Transcendental Meditation (TM) is a type of meditation with origins from India; which has been proven to produce clinically meaningful reductions in BP by approximately 4.7 and 3.2 mm Hg, in systolic and diastolic pressure, respectively.
  • Maharishi defined the goal of transcendental meditation as a state of enlightenment. Which means people experience an inner calmness, a quiet state of least excitation, even when people are dynamically busy.
  • Physiologic research shows that the TM technique produces a state of “restful alertness”.

High blood pressure can increase the risk of multiple cardiovascular disorders.  By practicing healthy eating habits and participating in regular physical anyone can decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease and lower high blood pressure.

References

www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure

Onvani, S., Haghighatdoost, F., & Azadbakht, L. (2015). Dietary approach to stop hypertension (DASH): diet components may be related to lower prevalence of different kinds of cancer: A review on the related documents. Journal Of Research In Medical Sciences, 20(7), 707-713. doi:10.4103/1735-1995.166233

Devi, S., & Samaga, L. N. (2015). Effect of transcendental meditation on stress and blood pressure among patients with systemic hypertension. Asian Journal Of Nursing Education & Research, 5(1), 151-156. doi:10.5958/2349-2996.2015.00032.4