New Delhi: Ahead of World Hypertension Day, which is celebrated on May 17 every year, experts have warned that patients with high blood pressure may be at special risk as parts of northern India, including the national capital, are experiencing heat waves. According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), mercury crossed 49 degrees Celsius in some parts of Delhi on Sunday, while neighboring Gurugram in Haryana recorded 48.1 degrees Celsius, the highest since 1966.Also read – World Hypertension Day: 5 Lifestyle Changes You Should Apply To Control High Blood Pressure
Meanwhile, according to the India Council for Medical Research (ICMR), one in four adults in India has hypertension, with only 10 per cent of patients having their blood pressure under control. Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, especially coronary heart disease and stroke, as well as chronic kidney disease, heart failure, arrhythmia and dementia. Also read – World Hypertension Day: Nutritionist Recommended Diet Plan to Control High Blood Pressure
“If left untreated, high blood pressure contributes to the burden of diseases such as heart attack and heart failure, stroke, kidney disease, vascular dementia, aneurysms and obstruction of blood vessels,” said Dr. Ashish Agarwal, Director, Cardiology, Akash Healthcare. Dwarka. , Told IANS. Also read – 5 Easy Yoga Asanas To Lower Blood Pressure And How To Do It At Home
Faster heartbeat, increased blood circulation
According to experts, during extreme summer weather, the body tries to dissipate heat which affects the level of blood pressure. Rising temperatures and humidity can increase blood flow to the skin, causing the heart to beat faster when blood circulation is doubled per minute than a normal day.
Intense heat can cause low blood pressure
“Severe atmospheric temperatures lead to an increase in blood flow to the skin, leading to increased sweating and dehydration. This lowers blood pressure, especially by changing posture, i.e., when sleeping or waking up from sitting, “Dr. Ajay Agarwal, Director and HOD – Internal Medicine, Fortis Hospital, Noida told IANS.
During the summer, our blood vessels also expand or dilate which causes the blood pressure to drop. Lack of sodium through excessive sweating and profuse sweating may be another major cause of low blood pressure.
High risk of damage by moisture
“Some people are at higher risk for exposure to moisture, including people over the age of 50 who are overweight or have a heart, lung or kidney condition. Heat and sweat can also reduce the amount of fluid in the body, which can reduce the amount of blood and lead to dehydration. This can interfere with the body’s cooling capacity and cause stress on the heart, “said Dr. Krishna Kumar, head of the world’s leading cardiac surgeon and Asian Heart Institute, Mumbai. Ramakant Panda told IANS.
Effect on sleep cycle
According to Panda, when the temperature is high, it increases the levels of anxiety and stress hormones in the body, which affects sleep patterns. “Lack of sleep or lack of sleep in the long run is also associated with a number of health problems such as obesity, diabetes and heart disease, which can indirectly affect BP levels in hypertensive patients,” he noted. Panda advised BP patients to get at least 8 hours of adequate sleep during the summer months.
Dehydration in people with normal or low blood pressure
In addition to people with hypertension, patients with normal or low blood pressure may also experience dehydration which can lead to low blood pressure and dizziness and leg cramps. “People over the age of 50 with high blood pressure are more susceptible. Therefore, people with a history of low BP are advised to regularly monitor their blood pressure and consume fluids and electrolytes to stay hydrated. If the blood pressure is less than 100. If registered, run to the doctor as this is a concern, ”said Dr. Anand Kumar Pandey, Director and Senior Consultant – Cardiology, Dharamshila Narayan Superspeciality Hospital.
What do experts suggest for patients with high blood pressure?
Experts advise people with low and high blood pressure to drink plenty of oral fluids, salts and stay indoors. Even a short exposure to heat can cause a drop in blood pressure and should therefore be carefully monitored.
(With IANS inputs)
