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“Healthy diet will lessen hypertension”

PUDUCHERRY: Cessation of smoking combined with a healthy diet will help reduce hypertension, M. S. Amaresan, former head of Medicine and Nephrology, Madras Medical College, said on Sunday.

Speaking on ‘Recent trends in the management of hypertension’ at the monthly scientific meeting of the Indian Medical Association (IMA)-Puducherry branch, he said hypertension mainly affected the heart, kidneys and the eyes.

According to global estimates, 972 million people were affected by high blood pressure in 2002. This was expected to rise to 1.56 billion in 2025, he added.

Dr. Amaresan said diabetes co-existed in several cases, with 33 per cent of diabetics having hypertension. However, only 50 per cent under the age of 40 were aware of their condition.

Lifestyle modification, including restricting salt intake, weight reduction and regular exercise, would help to keep hypertension at bay. A diet comprising plenty of vegetables with low-salt and low-fat content was advisable.

He said patients taking drugs to control hypertension should not stop it suddenly without the doctor’s consent, as it might lead to heart attacks and strokes. Similarly, uncontrolled hypertension could also affect the eyes and cause blindness. President of IMA-Puducherry V. Govindaraj, vice-president R.V. Krishnakumar and secretary K. Sivadasan spoke.

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