Hypertension is the ‘Silent Killer Disease’ that affects about 15-37 percent of the global adult population, is extremely alarming because, if not diagnosed and treated in time, it can ‘silently’ lead to graver complications in the form of hypertensive heart disease, stroke and kidney failure.
Hypertension is rampant across the world and has put several lives in danger. Awareness regarding hypertension is the first step towards preventing it.
Hypertension - or elevated blood pressure :-- is a serious medical condition that significantly increases the risks of heart, brain, kidney and other diseases.
What is Hypertension :-
Blood pressure is the force exerted by circulating blood against the walls of the body’s arteries, the major blood vessels in the body. Hypertension is when blood pressure is too high.
Blood pressure is written as two numbers. The first (systolic) number represents the pressure in blood vessels when the heart contracts or beats. The second (diastolic) number represents the pressure in the vessels when the heart rests between beats.
A normal blood pressure is considered less than 120 systolic pressure and less than 80 diastolic (120/80 mmHg).
Prehypertension is considered in the ranges of 120-139 systolic pressure and 80-90 diastolic pressure.
Hypertension in state one systolic pressure between 140-159 and diastolic pressure 90-99
Hypertension in state two is considered a systolic blood pressure greater or equal to 160 and a diastolic blood pressure greater or equal to 100.
Hypertensive emergency it is a considerable increase in blood pressure with a diastolic blood pressure greater than 120. Within this category we can find accelerated hypertension which is defined as a systolic pressure greater than 120 and a diastolic pressure greater than 130.
The main causes of hypertension are :-
sedentary lifestyle and improper diet. a diet of packaged food with preservatives and chemicals, which have high fat content result in digestive problems.
This eventually leads to ama (toxins) accumulation, giving way to high blood pressure.physical inactivity, consumption of tobacco and alcohol, and being overweight or obese.
A family history of hypertension, age over 65 years and co-existing diseases such as diabetes or kidney disease.
Inability to handle mental stress and disconnect with the basic principles of natural living gives rise to hypertension.
Ayurvedic Treatment for Hypertension :-
Hypertension is the condition in which an individual has elevated blood pressure.
Ayurveda gives the best remedies to control your elevated blood pressure. Hypertension is caused by Vata vitiation. Occasionally there is the involvement of Kapha as well as pitta. In some cases, there is an obstruction in body channels which in turn causes a Vata imbalance.
Role of Doshas in hypertension.
Excessive alcohol & salt intake :- Pitta, Raktha vitiation
Anger, stress, anxiety :- Vata imbalance
Excessive oily foods, sedentary lifestyle :- Kapha imbalance.
By all these causes the blood or raktha gets accumulated with toxins. The vitiated doshas will negatively influence the quality of blood. The blood flow is influenced by Vata. And the quality of blood is affected by vitiated Kapha as well as pitta dosha. So there is high-pressure exertion on the walls of the blood vessels.
Ayurveda way to treat Hypertension : -
1) Management of primary hypertension- hypertension not due to any other underlying disease :-
The vitiated doshas are treated respectively. If the dosha vitiation is extreme, shodhana chikitsa is followed.
Basti is done for Vata, Virechana for Pitta, and Vamana for Kapha dosha. By these purificatory therapies, doshas attain a balance, then shaman therapy is done. This includes consuming kashaya, tablets, medicated water, etc. Blood purifying herbs like ginger, garlic, cinnamon, Basil, etc. are highly effective in preventing hypertension.
2) Management of secondary hypertension :-
If hypertension occurs secondary to a disease, then disease-specific treatment has to be followed. In short, if you are diabetic, then treat diabetes first, automatically your blood pressure will be normalized.
The Ayurvedic line of Hypertension treatment is aimed at identifying the root cause of the condition and then administering herbs that can eradicate the problem from its roots. Ayurveda has an integrated approach of yoga, meditation & diet control to tackle Hypertension.
Take care of your mental health and keep burnout, anxiety and depression at bay
Home Remedies to reduce hypertension :-
Home remedies of herbs constitute garlic as an easy form of hypertension controller. Garlic produces sulphur allicin as its compound to lower the blood-pressure levels in the stream and supports the cardiovascular system of the heart as an antioxidant and mildly antihypertensive capabilities.
Here are some Herbs that can help to relax mind and body, and relieve stress which is helpful to maintain blood pressure normal :-
Navahridaya Kalpa
For hypertension
1) Ashwagandha :- effectively decreases Systolic and Diastolic blood pressure. Ashwagandha recommended the treatment of stress oriented hypertension.This herb has been known to be a very good cure for insomnia. Ashwagandha also promotes restorative sleep. A daily dose of 1-2 tsp of the dried ashwagandha root powder helps to balance energies in the body and reduce stress and anxiety.
2) Nelumbo nucifera (Kamala) :- regulates normal Blood Pressure and this is best known as a vasodilator; as it relaxes blood vessels, promotes blood flow, and alleviates the strain on the heart.
3) Aegle marmelos (Bilva) :- ) exhibits excellent hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic potential in metabolic Syndrome patients.Research has found that Bilva is effective in lowering the systolic blood pressure. Such an effect is attributed to the presence of potassium that causes widening of the blood vessels and ensures smooth blood flow. Furthermore, it has low sodium content and thus, it keeps constriction of blood vessels at bay. Its high antioxidant content reduces oxidative stress in kidney and blood vessels and thus helps in keeping the blood pressure within normal range.
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4) Arjuna :- 500 mg of Arjuna herb every eight hours can reduce angina or chest pain. It also increases exercise capacity in patients with cardiovascular diseases. In fact, it may be as effective isosorbide mononitrate, the most common drug used to treat angina. is useful in improving cardiovascular endurance and in lowering Systolic BP in normal healthy subjects.
Some of the important precautions and preventive measures to maintain blood pressure normal are as follows :-
1) Exercise regularly.
2) Walking is an excellent form of exercise for hypertension.
3) Eat fruits and vegetables.
4) Aware the hectic, stressful, anxiety and strain lifestyle
5) Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, tobacco, excess tea, coffee, etc.
6) Take less salt and fat intake.
7) Avoid Incompatible and irregular food habits, excessive oil, spicy ghee, butter, pickles, Papad.
8) Blood pressure should be checked regularly.
9) It is helpful to take One meal consisting of raw foods and the second one should be of cooked foods.
10) Take your meal slowly and in a relaxed atmosphere.
11) Late dinner should be avoided.
12) Bicycling, swimming and jogging are good.
13) Hobby ,Arts & Rest keep mental calm and free.
14) Yoga lowers the blood pressure naturally by inducing deep Relaxation in the body.
15) Pranayam is beneficial study says conscious breathing quickly
Lowers the blood pressure.
16 Meditation :- Study concluded that practicing transcendental meditation may have the potential to reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure by approximately 4.7 and 3.2 mm Hg, respectively.
