HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE (HYPERTENSION / RAKTHA SAMMARDHAM)

Overview

Blood pressure is the pressure of the blood within the arteries. Blood pressure is produced primarily by the contraction of the heart muscle. Blood pressure is measured as two components as primary-systolic pressure and secondary-diastolic. Systolic pressure which is the highest reading is generated when the heart contracts. Diastolic pressure which is the lesser reading is generated when the heart is relaxed before the contraction.

Elevation of blood pressure is called hypertension.Blood pressure is measured using a sphygmomanometer and a stethoscope. Brachial artery is the commonly applied artery to measure blood pressure. The position is the cubital fossa on the inside of the elbow.

Blood Pressure Readings Grading: American College of Cardiology (ACC) November 2017 Guidelines

  • Normal blood pressure: <120/80mm/Hg
  • Elevated blood pressure: between 120/80 and 129/80mm/Hg
  • Stage 1 Hypertension: 130-139/ 80-89mm/Hg.
  • Stage 2 Hypertension: 140/90 or higher
  • Hypertensive Crisis: >180/>120 mm/Hg

Hypertension is not described as a disease in Ayurveda. The symptoms are found to be mentioned in various other related contexts. Contemporary Ayurveda scholars have adopted terms such asRaktagata Vata, Rakta Sammardham and Rakthshrayaja Vikara. To know more about High Blood Pressure-Hypertension- Raktha Sammardham, its causes, symptoms, treatments home remedies and preventive aspects including diet, exercises, yoga and lifestyle, please click here or contact us for an interaction with our experts

Types and Causes

  • Primary or Essential hypertension: 90–95% of hypertension cases come under this category. Though there is no known cause, unhealthy lifestyle may cause primary hypertension.
  • Secondary Hypertension: This is seen as a feature of certain medical conditions or medication usage medical conditions include Kidney disorders-Reno-vascular disease and Chronic Renal Disease, Endocrine disorders, Pregnancy, Use of contraceptive pills etc.

Risk Factors

  • Age-60 and above in men and 65 and above in women
  • Race: African heritage
  • Family history
  • Overweight or obesity
  • Lack of physical activity
  • Using tobacco
  • Too much salt and too little potassium in diet
  • Drinking too much alcohol
  • Stress
  • Certain chronic conditions

Signs and Symptoms of Hypertension

Around 50% of hypertensive patients are asymptomatic. Common symptoms include

  • Headache
  • Vertigo
  • Nausea or Vomiting
  • Feeling of burning sensation and/or numbness in the hands and feet
  • Feeling of irritability, tiredness, restles sness and discomfort
  • Breathlessness and pain in chest
  • Bleeding from nose
  • Swelling in the legs and under eyes
  • Haziness of vision and excessive perspir ation
  • Loss of appetite

Complications

  • Heart attack or stroke
  • Aneurysm
  • Heart failure
  • Weakened and narrowed blood vessels in your kidneys
  • Thickened, narrowed or torn blood vessels in the eyes
  • Metabolic syndrome
  • Trouble with memory or understanding
  • Dementia

Measuring Blood Pressure-Precautions

Factors affecting blood pressure reading

  • Nervousness about having blood pressure measured or White Coat Syndrome
  • Activities before measuring-Food, Drink (alcohol, caffeine, etc.) and exercised within 30 minutes
  • Posture: Crossed legs, drooped arms give wrong reading

Precautions before measuring blood pressure

  • Donot eat or drink anything 30 minutes before checking BP
  • Empty your bladder before checking BP
  • Sit on a comfortable back support chair or lie down on back for 5 minutes before checking BP
  • If sitting, place both feet flat on the ground and keep legs uncrossed before checking BP
  • Rest the arm with the cuff on a table at chest height.
  • Blood pressure cuff is snug but not too tight and is against your bare skin, not over clothing.
  • Do not talk while blood pressure is being measured.

Concept of Blood Pressure and Hypertension in Ayurveda:

Hypertension is not described as a disease in Ayurveda. The symptoms are found to be mentioned in various other related contexts. Contemporary Ayurveda scholars have adopted terms such as: Raktagata Vata, Siragata Vata, Avrita Vata, Dhamani Prapurana, Rakta Vikshepa, Vyana Prakopa, Raktamada, Uchharaktachapa, Vyana Atibala etc. to define and corelate high blood pressure or hypertension.

Blood pressure is an important phenomenon for the normal functioning of blood and its circulation.

In Ayurveda regulation of blood pressure is the synchronized functioning of the Tridosha and Dhatu-tissue system components that are related to the Hridaya-heart. These are Prana Vayu, Vyana Vayu, Sadhaka Pitta, Avalambaka Kapha, Rasa and Rakta Dhatu.

Vyana Vayu constantly propels blood from the heart through the Dhamanis or arteries to be circulated throughout the body. This action is the systolic blood pressure that occurs during the contraction of the heart. The Avalambaka Kapha restores the structural integrity of the heart after the contraction. This is diastolic blood pressure. Prana Vayu situated in the Moordha-Brain controls the Hridaya-heart and Dhamani-arterial perpetuation thereby regulating the heart rate The disease Raktashrayaja Vyadhi is similar in symptomatology to hypertension. Mada-giddiness, Moorchha-loss of consciousness and Sanyasa-coma are these symptoms. The pre disposing factors and causes attributed to high blood pressure in Ayurveda are

  • Alcohol intake-Madyapana
  • Salt intake-Lavana Bhakshana
  • Sedentary life style-Aalasya
  • Ati Snighda, Madhura Ahara: Rich sugar-fat loaded diet
  • Day sleep-Divaswapna
  • Negative Emotions and Mental Stress-Krodha, Bhaya, Shoka-
  • Physical Strain and Exertion-Shrama
  • Seasonal variations-Rutu Sandhi
  • Morbidity: Nidanarthkara Roga like Madhumeha (Diabetes), Sthoulya (obesity), Hridroga (Heart disease), Vrikaroga (Renal disease)

Ayurveda Treatment for Blood Pressure and Hypertension in Ayurveda

  • 1) Nidana Parivarjana-Preventive Care for Blood Pressure and Hypertension in Ayurveda: Abstain from food high in sodium and fat
    • Eating a heart-healthy diet with less salt
    • Getting regular physical activity
    • Maintaining a healthy weight or losing weight
    • Limiting the amount of alcohol
    • Life Style Modifications
  • 2) Prophylactic Treatments for Blood Pressure and Hypertension in Ayurveda: Shirobhyanga-Head Massage, Shirodhara-Medicated oil irrigation of head, Ksheeradhara-Medicated milk irrigation of head, Takradhara-Medicated buttermilk irrigation of head, Shirovasthi-Retention of medicated oil/liquid on head, Shirolepam-Medicated paste application on head, Urovasthi-Medicated oil or liquid retention on chest above heart, Avaganham-Medicated sitz bath and Paadabhyangam-Foot Massage are effective therapies for blood pressure
  • 3) Intensive Panchakarma Treatments for Blood Pressure and Hypertension in Ayurveda: : Virechana-controlled medicated purgation, Lekhana Vasti-medicated enema, Rakta mokshana-controlled blood-letting and Rasayana-Rejuvenation therapy are effective Panchakarma therapies for blood pressure
  • 4) Effective Drugsand Internal Medications for Blood Pressure and Hypertension in Ayurveda: Arjuna-Terminalia arjuna, Guduchi-Tinospora cardifolia, Mandookparni-Centella asiatica, Sarpagandhi-Ravolfia serpentina, Lashuna-Allium sativum, Aswagandha-Withania somnifera, Amalaki-Embelica officinalis, Bala-Sida cordifolia, Gokshura-Tribulus terrestris, Punarnava- Boerhaavia diffusa, Kooshmanda- Benincasa hispida and Shankhapushpi-Convolvulus pluricaulis are the effective herbs and drugs for blood pressure in Ayurveda. Effective formulations include Brahmi Rasayana, Shankhpushpi kalka, Yashtimadhuchoornam, Dasamoola Kashayam, Punarnavadi Kashayam, Sarpagandha Choornam, Ashwagandha Choornam, Jatamamsi Choornam, Arjunatwak Choornam, Rasonaksheerpakam, Sarpagandhaghanavati, Prabhakaravati, Gokshuradi Guggulu, Arjunarishtam, Hridayarnavarasa, Muktabhasmam, Kumaryasavam, Sareebadyasavam, Draksharishtam, Punarnavadi Kashayam, Mahakalyanaka Ghritham and many other formulations
  • 5) Diet for Blood Pressure and Hypertension in Ayurveda: Diet modification with a heart-healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean protein and wholegrain. Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension-DASH Diet of around 2000 calories that focuses on foods that are lower in sodium and rich in potassium, magnesium and calcium helps in controlling blood pressure. The DASH menu features plenty of vegetables, fruits, low-fat dairy products, whole grains, fish, poultry and nuts. It suggests restriction on red meats, sweets and sugary beverages.Omega-3 fatty acids, Barley, Sorghum, Wheat, Green gram, Horse gram, Moringa, Bitter gourd, Bottle gourd, Turnip, Carrot, Radish, Indian gooseberry, Cucumber, Raisins, Pomegranate, Cold milk, Coconut water and Dasamoola Tea
  • 6) Home Remedies for Blood Pressure and Hypertension in Ayurveda
    • Blend 5 Amla with a handful of mint, add a teaspoon of honey; take on empty stomach
    • Blend and mix blanched celery leaves in clear soup and take at 11 am everyday
    • Use plenty of garlic in curries, spreads and other cooking
    • Boil Dasamoolam and coriander in 3 litres of water and use as drinking water during day
  • 7) Prevention Yoga and Lifestyle for Blood Pressure and Hypertension in Ayurveda
    Lifestyle and exercise:
    • Regular Physical Activity
    • Avoid smoking
    • Dietary salt restriction-Not more than 6g of common salt per day
    • Reduction in body weight lowers systolic hypertension
    • Regular blood pressure check-up
    • Healthy Swasthavrutha-Dinacharya, Rutucharya, Vegodheerana-dharana
    • Balanced diet as per Ayurveda Aharavidhi concepts
    • Regular physical exercise. Daily brisk walking for half an hour.
    • Reduced intake of oily, salty, sour and spicy food
    • Healthy Weight and BMI management between 20-25kg/m2
    • Timely sleeping and awakening.

    Yoga: Yoga, Pranayama, Relaxation and Meditation are very useful in hypertension or high blood pressure. Tai Chi practice is also advised as a healthy means of managing blood pressure. Few Yoga postures useful in hypertension are Yoga Poses and Pranayama for high blood pressure are Vajrasana, Sukhasana, Baalasana, Paschimottanasana,Ardha Matsyendrasana, Badhakonasana, Janusirsasana, Shavasana, Chandrabhedana Pranayama, Sheetali Pranayama, Anuloma Viloma Pranayama, Bhramari Pranayama and Sheetkari Pranayama.