After COVID people have become health-conscious, and they are in want of genuine healthcare information, as it's not feasible to access top doctors every time. Medicircle offers awareness series on various trending healthcare topics like hypertension, diabetes, AIDS, PCOS, Arthritis, homeopathy system of medicine, and many more straight from experienced doctors.

 Through these informative videos, we will get to know about the symptoms, lifestyle modifications that are required, when to approach a doctor, and how to stay fit both physically and mentally. This will help us in avoiding critical health issues and will take us to preventive healthcare that is being proactive rather than reactive.

 So, Stay Healthy, Stay tuned to Medicircle and follow what the most experienced and eminent doctors have to say about Hypertension in our Hypertension Awareness Series. 

Dr. Siddharth Dagli is a popular and well-known Senior Cardiologist Consultant. Associated with Bhatia, Saifee, and Breach Candy Hospital for the last 35 years. He graduated from Bombay University and had further training in Interventional Cardiology from various leading hospitals in Bombay. Awarded Fellowship of the Cardiological Society of India and GMC ICON 2014. Special interest in Rotablator, IVUS, FFR, and OCT guided Angioplasty.

Challenges faced by hypertension patients

Dr. Siddharth Dagli says, “There are no symptoms in hypertensive patients in 90 % of the cases. Most hypertension cases are detected accidentally. These patients generally experience no symptoms. The main symptoms in 10% of the cases are - 

• Early morning occipital headache 
• hangover symptoms 
• Shortness of breath 
• Fatigue 
• Buzzing in ears
• Nose bleed or epistaxis

If there is a family history of blood pressure, you should get your blood pressure checked regularly.”

Diagnosis of hypertension

Dr. Siddharth Dagli states, “There are very less cases of hypertension emergencies which are seen in extreme cases. The diagnosis may also result in “White Collar Hypertension. This is due to the patient fear when he visits the doctor. This increases blood pressure. Just one reading is not enough to diagnose high blood pressure. It is important to check the blood pressure 3 - 4 times to confirm the diagnosis of hypertension. This can be done at home when relaxed and recording can be kept. There is another diagnosis of blood pressure which is masked blood pressure. Masked blood pressure may show normal readings. In such cases, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring is required. This checks blood pressure 24 hours a day while doing the activity. The circadian rhythm causes low blood pressure at night by 10%. This is called DIPPER. In, NON-DIPPER occurs, when the blood pressure may increase at night causing a heart attack. There is a need for a correct diagnosis.” 

Risk factors involved with hypertension

Dr. Siddharth Dagli informs, “Hypertension as the name suggests deals with tension. This is commonly seen in young patients these days. Many young people are anxious due to job stress and financial stress. In India, 25% of the urban population is suffering from high BP. This is from the age of 30 onwards. This is an epidemiological study. The causes of hypertension are- 

• Genetics and hereditary 
• Stress 
• Environmental factors
• Idiopathic or no cause 
• Kidney or renal disease 
• An adrenal disease which is pheochromocytoma
• Aldosteronism 
• Obstructive sleep apnea 

Correct Diagnosis is important which can make treatment simple. 

Uncontrolled high blood pressure can cause- 

• Brain stroke 
• Paralysis 
• Transient Ischaemic attack 
• Heart attack 
• Left aortic dysfunction 
• Hypertrophy of heart 
• Aortic problem 
• Retinopathy 
• Premature cataract 
• Kidney failure 
• High creatinine 

Controlling hypertension is important. Blood pressure can be controlled but cannot be cured. Many medications can control blood pressure. 

Management of hypertension

Dr. Siddharth Dagli informs, “Lifestyle modifications can help like 

• Reducing stress
• Healthy food and diet 
• Yoga 
• Walking
• Relax and listen to music
• Exercise 
• Recreational activities 
• Quit smoking and alcohol.

This will reduce the medications of BP.”

Hypertension in India

Dr. Siddharth Dagli says, “Hypertension awareness is very important. It should be spread everywhere. Earlier hypertensive medicines had many side effects but now there are no major side effects of hypertensive medicines. Patients have improved tolerance and blood pressure can be controlled with lifestyle modifications. Everything is getting improved in India. Medical doctors are the best in the world from India. I am associated with many foreign places abroad. But, India is the future. Consult a qualified doctor for hypertension problems and get BP checked with proper guidelines and treatment. Alternative treatment may help. Hypertension must be managed with lifestyle changes along with treatment. ”