Hypertension - The Silent Killer

Some of the causes of Hypertension are as follows:

• Old Age: Old age is one of the most common causes of Hypertension. This is because, with growing age, the elastic tissue of the arteries gets stiffer, thus causing an increase in the overall blood pressure.
• Excessive Intake of Salt: Another major cause of hypertension is an excessive intake or consumption of salt. When an individual consumes an excessive amount of salt, there is a high flow in the vessels of arteries which overall results in increased blood pressure. According to medical research, adults must consume less than 6 g of salt.
• Gender: On the basis of gender, men are at a higher risk of getting affected with Hypertension compared to men.
• Lifestyle Factors: On the other hand, lifestyle factors are another important cause of Hypertension. Different lifestyle factors such as disrupted sleep cycles, increased body weight, unhealthy eating habits, and others affect the overall well-being of a person and increase the risk of Hypertension.
• Stress: With an increase in stress levels, there is an increased pressure on the blood vessels as well which overall results in Hypertension.
• Consumption of Alcohol: Smoking and overconsumption of alcohol are other causes that result in Hypertension. This is because these unhealthy habits result in the reduced flexibility of arteries, thus increasing the risk of Hypertension.

Risks of Hypertension

Listed below are the risks associated when an individual is diagnosed with Hypertension:

• Hypertension which results in increased blood pressure results in the thickening of arteries. This ultimately also leads to a number of health problems such as heart stroke or heart failure. This is because when there is an increase in blood pressure then the heart needs to put a greater force to pump blood into different parts of the body. This overall can often lead to heart failure.
• Increased blood pressure can also increase the risk of other health problems such as diabetes and kidney failure.
• Another health risk that occurs due to Hypertension is Aneurysm. Aneurysm is basically a medical condition where there is a weakening of the blood vessels. This weakening can lead to internal bleeding and sometimes can even become life-threatening.
• Other health problems that occur due to Hypertension are dementia, loss of vision, forgetfulness, and others.

Tips to Reduce the Risk of Hypertension

Now that you know the risk of Hypertension, here are some of the tips that will help you in reducing the risk Hypertension:

• You must monitor the intake of salt and must consume salt only within the said limit. You can consult a medical practitioner to understand how much salt is required by your body.
• Another way in which you can reduce the risk of Hypertension is by ensuring that you eat the right kind of food. You must include all the nutrients in your diet and try to cut down on carbs and sugar which will result in an increase in your body weight.
• You must exercise regularly as doing so will help you in staying healthy. You must ideally make practice to exercise on a daily basis for at least 20 minutes. You can exercise, or engage in other recreational activities such as swimming, skipping, yoga, and others that will also contribute to your overall well-being.

Is Hypertension Covered in Health Insurance Insurance?

Yes, there are a number of health insurance plans that provide coverage for Hypertension. Some of the popular health insurance plans that include Hypertension in their plan are Care Freedom Health Insurance Plan, ICICI Lombard Complete Health Insurance, and more. However, it is important that you speak to your insurer about whether the health insurance plan you are buying is offering coverage for Hypertension or not.