HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE is a common condition that affects the body's arteries. It's also called hypertension. If you have high blood pressure, the force of the blood pushing against the artery walls is consistently too high. The heart has to work harder to pump blood.

High blood pressure (hypertension) may be present with no symptoms and can be dangerous if not treated. Hypertension puts you at risk for stroke, heart attack and other problems. Dietary changes, exercise and medicine can help you keep your blood pressure in control.

HOMOEOPATHIC TREATMENT FOR HYPERTENSION

Homoeopathic medicines work particularly well for those who have recently been diagnosed with hypertension and have not yet become dependent on any other medication for HTN. People with chronic high blood pressure and those who are using allopathic medicines for a long time can also use homoeopathic medicines. Initially, it is advisable to continue allopathic medication along with homoeopathic medicines, and slowly shift into homoeopathy for holistic treatment. For best results, proper lifestyle measures should be adopted along with homoeopathic treatment for high blood pressure. Homoeopathic medicines are not best suited during acute hypertensive crisis.

Timely administered homoeopathic medicines can assist in preventing further complications of the condition. Lifestyle modification with moderate exercise, weight reduction, and salt restriction can enhance the benefits of homoeopathy.

KNOW YOUR DISEASE

High blood pressure is when the force of blood pushing against your artery walls is consistently too high. This damages your arteries over time and can lead to serious complications like heart attack and stroke. “Hypertension” is another word for this common condition.

Blood pressure (BP) is the measurement of the pressure or force of blood pushing against blood vessel walls. Your BP reading has two numbers:

• The top number is the systolic blood pressure, which measures the pressure on your artery walls when your heart beats or contracts.
• The bottom number is the diastolic blood pressure. This measures the pressure on your artery walls between beats when your heart is relaxing.

Category	Top number (systolic BP)	And/or	Bottom number (diastolic BP)
Normal blood pressure	Less than 120 mmHg	AND	Less than 80 mmHg
Elevated blood pressure	120 to 129 mmHg	AND	Less than 80 mmHg
Stage 1 hypertension	130 to 139 mmHg	OR	80 to 89 mmHg
Stage 2 hypertension	140 mmHg or higher	OR	90 mmHg or higher

TYPES OF HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

• Primary hypertension. Causes of this more common type of high blood pressure include aging and lifestyle factors like not getting enough exercise.
• Causes of this type of high blood pressure include different medical conditions or a medication you’re taking.

Primary and secondary high blood pressure (hypertension) can co-exist. For example, a new secondary cause can make blood pressure that’s already high get even higher.

SYMPTOMS OF HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

Most people with high blood pressure have no symptoms, even if blood pressure readings reach dangerously high levels. You can have high blood pressure for years without any symptoms.

A few people with high blood pressure may have:

• Headaches
• Shortness of breath
• Nosebleeds

However, these symptoms aren't specific. They usually don't occur until high blood pressure has reached a severe or life-threatening stage.

CAUSES OF HYPERTENSION

Primary hypertension doesn’t have a single, clear cause. Usually, many factors come together to cause it. Common causes include:

• Unhealthy eating patterns (including a diet high in sodium).
• Lack of physical activity.
• High consumption of beverages containing alcohol.

Secondary hypertension has at least one distinct cause that doctor can identify.

Common causes of secondary hypertension include:

• Certain medications, including immuno suppressants, NSAIDs and Oral contraceptives (the pill)
• Kidney disease
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Primary aldosteronism (Conn’s syndrome)
• Recreational drug use (including amphetamines and cocaine)
• Renal vascular diseases, which are conditions that affect blood flow in your kidneys’ arteries and veins. Renal artery stenosis is a common example
• Tobacco use (including smoking, vaping and using smokeless tobacco)

RISK FACTORS FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

Risk factors that make you more likely to have high blood pressure include:

• Having biological family members with high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease or diabetes
• Being over age 55
• Having certain medical conditions, including chronic kidney disease, metabolic syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea or thyroid disease
• Having overweight or obesity
• Not getting enough exercise
• Eating foods high in sodium
• Smoking or using tobacco products
• Drinking too much

WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS OF THIS CONDITION?

Untreated hypertension may lead to serious health problems including:

• Coronary artery disease (CAD)
• Stroke
• Heart attack
• Peripheral artery disease
• Kidney disease and kidney failure
• Complications during pregnancy
• Eye damage
• Vascular dementia

LIFESTYLE CHANGES TO LOWER YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE

Here are some proven ways to lower your blood pressure naturally and to prevent its complications:

• Keep a weight that’s healthy for you
• Eat a healthy diet. This is a way of eating that’s full of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy.
• Cut down on salt. Ideally, limit your sodium intake to no more than 1,500 milligrams (mg) per day. If this is too difficult at first, you can start by reducing your daily intake by at least 1,000 milligrams.
• Get enough potassium. Try to consume 3,500 to 5,000 milligrams per day, ideally through the foods you eat rather than supplements. Some foods high in potassium include bananas, avocados and potatoes (with skin).
• Exercise. In general, start slow and work your way up to 150 minutes of aerobic exercise per week. Resistance training (like lifting light weights) is also helpful.
• Limit alcohol. If you choose to drink beverages containing alcohol, do so in moderation.

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