May 17th World Hypertension day Even 3-4 mm BP reduction matters New Delhi Saturday 16th May 2009: If you change the oil in the car regularly, and don’t wait until it’s performing poorly to change it, then why treat the body any differently said Dr KK Aggarwal President, Heart Care Foundation of India and Director, IMA AKN Sinha Institute. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death and hypertension is the most common, reversible risk factor for CVD. High blood pressure goes hand-in-hand with, heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, overweight/obesity and diabetes. In the United States alone 7.2 crore people age 20 and older have high blood pressure.  Of those with high blood pressure, nearly 30 percent don’t know they have it, and 65 percent don’t have it under control. In India the number is over 10 crore. Worldwide, an estimated 97.2 crore people had hypertension in the year 2000.   By 2025, an estimated 156 crore people will have it. High blood pressure is easily detected and usually controllable. Normal blood pressure is systolic below 120 and diastolic below 80.  Hypertension is systolic blood pressure at or above 140 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure at 90 mm Hg or higher. “Prehypertension” is systolic pressure of 120–139 mm Hg, and/or diastolic pressure of 80–89 mm Hg.  This is the point at which lifestyle changes are recommended to reduce blood pressure. There are dramatic benefits from small decreases in blood pressure, even in people without hypertension by current definitions. ·        3–4 mm Hg systolic increase in blood pressure would translate into a 20 percent higher stroke death rate and a 12 percent higher death rate from ischemic heart disease.  ·         In patients with obesity, diabetes and hyperlipidemia, the impact of these small changes in blood pressure on CVD is even greater. ·         Hypertension “does not typically cause a symptom; that’s why it’s called the ‘silent killer. There is a long lag period from the beginning of the problem to the time when patients are aware of the damage it’s caused. ·         Ione should have the blood pressure checked routinely. ·        One should live a healthy lifestyle to prevent hypertension.  ·        One should keep weight in a good range. ·        One should be physically active. ·        One should eat a diet high in fresh fruits and vegetables and low in saturated fat and sodium. ·         One should avoid tobacco at any cost. ·        Those who choose to drink; should do so in moderate amounts (no more than an average of one drink a day for women or two for men).  ·         This who already have high blood pressure, should keep it controlled under a physician’s care.