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| What is the normal B.P. or what are the levels at which you can be diagnosed to have hypertension? |
Normal Blood pressure (B.P.) is systolic Blood pressure of 130 mm Hg or less and a diastolic blood pressure of 85 mm Hg or less. A level above 130/85 mm of Hg is considered Hypertension {High B.P).
Incidence: About 65 million Indian adults are affected by hypertension. In 1960s less than 5% of Indian adults suffered from hypertension. Now this number has increased to 25 - 40%. Unfortunately more than 50% people who have hypertension are unaware of the situation. Only 10% of hypertensive people have their blood pressures controlled adequately. |
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| What are the risk factors for hypertension? |
There are a number of risk factors that can lead to the development of hypertension. These are as follows:
- Hereditory: It is seen that if both parents have hypertension, then the chances of child developing hypertension are more.
- Obesity: People who are obese or over weight are more prone to develop hypertension.
- Stress or Anxiety: Some amount of stress is important or rather necessary for living, but too much of physical or mental stress increases the risk of hypertension.
- Smoking: Cigarette smoke contains a substance known as Nicotin which causes narrowing of the blood vessels which leads to hypertension.
- High intake of salt: Excessive intake of salt over a long period of time can lead to hypertension as the salt gets accumulated in the body. This salt tends to retain more water in the body. This leads to the development of hypertension.
- Extremely sedentary lifestyle: When a person is relaxed and is not involved in any type of physical or mental activity he/she tends to put on more weight. As explained earlier, obesity can lead to development of hypertension.
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