Dr. Nabajit Talukdar is a Cardiologist and has an experience of 11 years of in this field. He is a Cardiology consultant at 'Batra Hospital' in Delhi. He had received further training & experience in Interventional Cardiology at 'ASAN Medical Centre, Seoul, South Korea. He has received Bharti sanman by NBT in 2018, the ICH Excellence award by Ayushman Bharat Nyas 2021, and the Doctor of Excellence Award By IMA South Delhi 2022. He has experience in writing several research works on the cardiovascular system. 

Best lifestyle changes to treat hypertension

Dr. Nabajit Talukdar says, “Hypertension is a silent killer in India. Recent there was a study done called India Heart study. I was involved in this study at Batra Hospital under the chairman Dr. Upendra Kaul where we conducted a study in 6 cities. We analyzed some hypertensive patients and according to that India has hypertensive patients where hypertension attacks 10 years prior to diagnosis. Hypertension constitutes 40 - 50 % of cardiac diseases all over the world. In India, it is up to 55 %. It attacks individuals during their productive time and young aged people around 30 %. India has a younger population inclined towards hypertension. There are many associated diseases with hypertension in India- 

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea 

• Respiratory problems 

50 % of hypertensive patients neglect and ignore their symptoms and do not consult the doctor. The rule of 50 implies hypertension. People who consult doctors also stop their hypertensive medicines abruptly. Hypertension treatment is a must to avoid complications like- 

• Retinopathy affecting eyes
• Cardiac problems 
• Kidney problems 

Hypertension is a silent killer and maybe because of lifestyle disorders like - 

• Excess carbs 
• Hight salt intake 
• Stress 
• High trans fat 
• Pollution 
• Diet
• Refined food with preservatives 
• High sugar intake 
• Regular check-up 

Early detection is a must for hypertension.”

Pulmonary hypertension V/s Normal hypertension 

Dr. Nabajit Talukdar states, “Pulmonary hypertension is hypertension in the lungs. Normal hypertension involves the heart. Pulmonary hypertension is divided into - 

Primary Pulmonary hypertension - without cause. Primary Pulmonary hypertension was a fatality. Primary Pulmonary hypertension is seen in- 

• Post- pregnancy 
• 30 - 40 age groups

Secondary Pulmonary hypertension is associated with COPD and lung diseases are especially seen in covid. Secondary Pulmonary hypertension may be caused due to - 

• COPD 
• Pulmonary embolism 
• Covid 
• Congenital Lung disease 
• HIV 

With advancements in Pulmonary hypertension with medications, there is reduced mortality and fatality. The patient can have a normal quality of life and patient can be a decent quality of life.”

Use of beta-blockers in hypertension

Dr. Nabajit Talukdar states,” In olden days, Hypertension treatment was done with honey and rest. Slowly, there was the introduction of beta-blockers, calcium channel inhibitors, and ACE inhibitors. Beta-blockers help in two ways - 

• Controls Effective circulatory volume 
• Controls Sympathetic nervous overactivity 

Beta-blockers were considered 1 st line of treatment initially. Now, it is taken as the second line of treatment. In the world over average heartbeat is 70/per min and in India, it is more than 80 /per min. The increase in heart rate causes increases in mortality. So, beta-blocker is still used in India. In case of high heart rate or coronary heart disease, beta-blocker use is a must.”

Things should we avoid in hypertension

Dr. Nabajit Talukdar informs,” The preventative measures for hypertension are - 

• Avoid smoking 

• Avoid alcohol 

• Exercise regularly like aerobic 

• Avoid isometric exercises like weight training 

• Avoid excess salt 

• Avoid trans fat 

• Avoid high carbs 

• Avoid packaged foods

• Eat leafy vegetables

• Awareness about hypertension

• Teach children, and mothers about hypertension .”