You must be aware that hypertension is often called "the silent killer" and not in vain. There is a definite link between cardiovascular disease and hypertension. High blood pressure is very dangerous if left untreated and very often due to mild symptoms it is not diagnosed until it is too late. When you hear that your 45 years old friend died of sudden massive cardiac arrest, chances are that he or she were suffering from hypertension and did not know about it, left it untreated and boom! The heart just gave out. Not even those highly marketed were able to help.
What Are The Statistics Saying About Cardiovascular Disease And Hypertension?
The statistics show that three in every five people who die of heart attack did previously suffer from hypertension. It is true that cardiovascular disease and hypertension are closely inter-related as anyone who suffers from moderate and severe hypertension fall into high risk group for cardiovascular disease.
This happens because the hypertension puts too much pressure on the heart, which after some time unless the blood pressure is brought under control it simply collapses under the stress. There are plenty of warning signals when you suffer from hypertension, however it is to easy to ignore these signs due to various reasons, i.e. lack of time, unable to realize their importance, inability to slow down due to high demand of professional life, etc.
How Can You Control Cardiovascular Disease And Hypertension?
Though there is medication to control hypertension this needs to be taken regularly and seriously which very few people do. Besides, you need to change your life style without which there is little chance that you would get rid of high blood pressure. You need to eat healthy, exercise daily, cut down stress levels, avoid alcohol and stop smoking.
This is a very long list the alternative of which would be a life like a vegetable followed by a stroke (caused by thickening and narrowing of the arteries) or plain death followed by cardiac failure. If you want to live and lead a qualitative life, you need to take full control of your life or face the terrible consequences.
There are many research studies which are looking into the possibility of making a drug that can reverse cardiovascular disease and these show promising results. However, until such a drug is discovered and well within your reach you need to keep a close watch on all the factors that strengthen the cardiovascular disease and hypertension link through all the means available to you.
An estimated 17.5 million people died from cardiovascular disease in 2005, representing 30 % of all global deaths. Of these deaths, 7.6 million were due to heart attacks and 5.7 million were due to stroke.
The biggest problem is that we just keep on trending upwards. Experts fear that if a global lifestyle modification is not implemented the death toll of cardiovascular diseases will reach 20 million people by 2015. That is right around the corner.
What you can do to stop cardiovascular diseases First and foremost, if you smoke, stop today. If someone in your family smokes get as much literature on cardiovascular disease as you can and make them read it, for you kids if no one else.
Your chance of stroke or heart attack decreases the minute you stop smoking.
Second, start your new exercise regimen immediately. Daily exercise is available to everyone; you just have to make yourself do it.
Stretching, cardiovascular training (walking is great), and weight bearing exercises are the cornerstone to getting all aspects of your body, especially your heart, in shape.
Third is diet. Do your research and find a diet that you can make into a lifestyle. You need to find a meal plan that you can adopt for the rest of your life. Once you learn how to eat properly, the occasional cheat meal is not nearly as detrimental.
Believe me I know what I am talking about; I lost 150 pounds 10 years ago. I have been able to keep it off because I developed a new eating lifestyle, I do not go on diets.
Fourth, if you have any other diseases you have to try doubly hard to gain control.
Diabetes, Cancer, Kidney, Liver, and Bacterial Diseases all work together to subdue your organs abilities to work properly. These make diet and exercise even more important to preventing or at least controlling cardiovascular diseases.
Fifth, see your doctor often if you have a history of cardiovascular disease in your family.
There is seldom an outward indication that you have high blood pressure. The same goes for an impending heart attack or stroke.
Lastly, if you are having a heart attack or stroke find help immediately.
You ability to survive any attack of cardiovascular disease goes up exponentially if you get help within the first 10 minutes.
If you have a history of cardiovascular disease, be sure to get a bracelet or necklace that lets the first responder know your history in the event that you are unconscious or ca not speak.
Both Alex Gwen Thomson & Melford Bibens are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.