The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Silencing the silent killer

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Sunday, Sep 28, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Silencing the silent killer

High blook pressure or Hypertension is the most important and ubiquitous risk factor for heart attack and stoke the leading causes of death worldwide. Control of hypertension will prevent these complications.

As hypertension does not cause symptoms until it leads to complications, the other name for it, the silent killer. Heredity, high salt intake, physical inactivity, obesity and psychosocial stress interact to cause hypertension, the price we pay for ur banization and industrialization. Hypertension is the simplest of the diseases to diagnose as it needs no special expertise. When two or more properly taken BP readings on at least two separate occasions are equal to or more than 140/190 mm Hg Hypertension is diagnosed. Once hypertension is diagnosed it is necessary to look for associated diabetes and hypercholesterolemia as the trio often track together.

The association of hypertension and diabetes is particularly dangerous as diabetes ignites the fire and hypertension adds fuel to the fire.The initial management of HT involves at least 3 months of lifestyle modification without drug therapy.

The most effective diet for HT prevention and control emphasizes whole grain cereals, variety of fruits and vegetables, low fat milk, fatty fish,nuts and vegetable oil, while avoiding fats, red meat and sweets, with salt intake of less than 6 gm (1 teaspoonful) per day. Along with diet, physical exercise of 30 to 60 minutes of brisk walking daily at a speed of at least 6 km per hour should be undertaken.

"Heart disease before age eighty is our fault not God’s or nature’s will".

Dr.G. Durairaj,

M.D., D.M.,

Madurai Heart Centre.

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