Getting ’em younger: Monitor your blood pressure regularly

By Dr. K.M. Nair

DUBAI 13 April 2019: Hypertension accounts for an estimated 54 percent of all strokes and 47 percent of all ischemic heart disease events globally and is among the most important risk factors for premature cardiovascular disease.

It is estimated that around 30 per cent of adults in the UAE have high blood pressure, with this prevalence expected to increase with time.

The condition is completely asymptomatic and there is no way to tell if you suffer from it unless your blood pressure is taken. Frequent headaches sometimes indicate hypertension as the chances of bleeding into the brain are higher, leading to cerebral hemorrhage and stroke in drastic cases. Hypertension affects vital organs including the brain, eyes, the heart and kidneys. Adverse after-effects of hypertension can be as damaging as kidney or cardiac failure and retinopathy.

Dr. KM Nair

There are several reasons as to why someone might have high blood pressure, this could be attributed to high sodium levels due to poor kidney function, tumors or could be passed on as hereditary.

Healthy Lifestyle

Opting for a healthy lifestyle can help delay or prevent hypertension. Blood pressure has to be monitored at consistent intervals as it increases and drops during the day depending on a person’s stress levels and physical activity as a single measurement of blood pressure does not produce conclusive diagnostic results. Multiple readings are to be taken on different days and if measurements are consistently high, the patient is identified as having hypertension and medical intervention is introduced.

The demographic that is diagnosed is getting younger and younger, with the average age now being in their thirties. The most at-risk population remains those in the 45-50 age bracket. If current lifestyle trends prevail, we may approach a stage where younger people outnumber the older demographic.

Age aside, obesity is a major factor as hypertension is mainly a lifestyle condition, ultimately caused by a poor diet and lack of exercise. Reducing intake of salt and saturated fats and incorporating more fruit like grapefruit, mango and kiwi and green leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale that have high potassium will help reduce blood pressure by negating the effect of sodium. Potassium also helps kidney function by preventing sodium from being passed through the urinary tract. Spinach also contains the carotenoid ‘lutein’ that reduces thickening of arterial walls and reducing the risk of stroke.

Making key lifestyle changes can help manage this silent killer. Earlier diagnosis and management of hypertension can help reduce complications. I urge everyone to quit smoking, commit to exercise, maintain a healthy diet, and manage their weight. Secondary hypertension that is caused by kidney disease can however be treated. Speak to your doctor before taking medication or adjusting its dosage.

Note: Dr. K.M. Nair is a Consultant in Cardiology at Aster Clinic, Karama. He has completed his MBBS, MD, and DM (Cardiology). His focus areas include Hypertension, Cardiac failure and Echocardiography.