What is the meaning of hypertension?
Hypertension means an increase in your blood pressure. |
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What percentage of the elderly people in India suffer from
hypertension.?
In the cities about 40% and in the villages about 18% of the elderly population
suffer from hypertension. |
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Why is there such a difference between the rural and urban
population?
This may be because of the lifestyle of the elderly in the villages. People in the
villages have less stress and strain, they are usually less obese and physically more
active. |
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In the elderly, what levels of blood pressure should be treated?
If the blood pressure is written as 120/80 mm Hg, then the reading above-(i.e.120) is the
systolic blood pressure and the one below -(i.e.80) is the diastolic blood pressure.
Generally in the elderly, systolic levels above 160 mm of Hg. and diastolic levels of
above 95 mm of Hg. are treated. But for people with history of heart disease or stroke and
in some other cases, even lower levels require treatment. |
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Why should the hypertension be treated?
It has been found that treatment of hypertension reduces the risk of stroke and heart
disease. Long standing untreated hypertension may also lead to problems in the kidneys and
the brain. |
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The doctor says non-drug therapy could be tried. What does he
mean?
In mild to moderate cases of Hypertension, the following method may be tried:
- Those who are over weight should reduce their weight. They should exercise regularly and
eat moderately.
- Smoking should be stopped immediately.
- The quantity of salt in the diet should be brought down. Pickles & Fried Pappadams
are to be avoided completely.
- Stress and worry should be avoided. One could use tranquilisers with the advice of the
doctor.
- Meditation is found to be very useful in controlling hypertension.
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Can proper treatment prevent the complications of Hypertension?
Yes, with adequate treatement, hypertension can be controlled and its complications can be
prevented. |
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Should the tablets for blood pressure be taken daily?
Once it has been established that a person has hypertension and drugs are prescribed, the
blood pressure should be monitored regularly and the tablets should be taken everyday with
regular check-up by the doctor. |
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