Care Area
Blood pressure care
High blood pressure (hypertension) often has no symptoms, yet it quietly raises the risk of heart attack, stroke and kidney problems. The good news is that it is easy to monitor and very treatable once it is found.
Understanding high blood pressure
Blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of your arteries. A normal reading is below 120/80. Readings that stay at or above 140/90 on repeated measurements usually need attention.
Because hypertension is often "silent," many people feel completely well while it is damaging the heart and vessels. That is why regular measurement matters — treatment is a mix of lifestyle changes and, when needed, simple daily medicines.
What to watch for
- Often no symptoms at all
- Headache, especially at the back of the head
- Dizziness or light-headedness
- Occasional nosebleeds
- Chest discomfort in severe cases
- Breathlessness on exertion
How to take care
Measure your blood pressure when you are rested and calm, and keep a log of the readings. Take your medicine at the same time each day — even when you feel fine — because stopping it is the most common reason pressure climbs back up.
Cut down on salt, pickles and packaged snacks, keep your weight in a healthy range, stay active, sleep well and manage stress. These changes often lower readings on their own and make medicines work better.
What to do
- Measure BP at rest and note the readings
- Take your medicine at the same time daily
- Reduce salt and avoid pickles and packaged snacks
- Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight
- Sleep well and manage stress
What to avoid
- Don't stop medicine just because readings are normal
- Avoid excess salt, papad and salted snacks
- Limit alcohol and don't smoke
- Don't ignore a very high reading
- Don't double a dose you forgot — ask the doctor
When to see the doctor
Treat a reading of 180/120 or higher with severe headache, chest pain, breathlessness, weakness or numbness on one side, slurred speech or sudden vision change as an emergency — go to the nearest hospital immediately.
Consult
Talk to Dr Ajit Kishor about blood pressure
Monika Niwaas, opposite Patna College, near Razza High School, Annie Besant Road, Patna 800004, Bihar.