#EkChammachKam

High blood pressure or hypertension is dangerous if not treated adequately. This is because it can lead to heart attack, strokes, kidney failure, blindness, and dementia. Nearly 9.4 million people die from it.

Here are some other alarming facts:

1. 1 in 3 Indians suffers from hypertension
2. 1 in 3 Indians is not aware if he/she has hypertension
3. Only 1 in 3 Indians undergoes treatment for hypertension
4. Only 1 in 3 Indians has a normal BP level despite undergoing treatment

If your blood pressure level is consistently above 140/90, then it should be treated with drug therapy, in addition to lifestyle changes.

Unfortunately, hypertension comes with no symptoms. You can reduce the risk of getting it by following these measures:

• Stop all tobacco use and avoid second-hand tobacco smoke.
• Increase physical activity—do brisk walking for 30 minutes every day.
• Maintain a healthy diet:
  • Cut down on salt intake to only 1tsp per day.
  • Eat >= 5 servings of fruits/vegetables per day.
  • Use not more than 3 tsp of oil per day while cooking.
  • Eat nuts, legumes, whole grains, and foods rich in potassium.
  • Limit red meat to once or twice a week.
  • Eat fish or other foods rich in Omega 3 fatty acids.
  • Avoid foods containing added sugar.
  • Reduce caffeine intake.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Limit alcohol intake
• Practise yoga and meditation to keep stress at bay

To sum up, high blood pressure is a silent killer. It is the leading cause of preventable deaths in the world. Therefore, check your BP level regularly. It is simplest measure to save lives. If you are being treated for hypertension, remember to not miss your tablets.

Also, don’t forget to join the Ek Chammach Kam campaign, which calls for reducing the intake of salt, oil, and sugar by 30%!