An important issue with hypertension is that it is usually not associated with symptoms that is why it is called “A Silent Killer”. One of the cardinal messages to be spread should be that every adult should know his/ her usual BP.Patients with high BP, if they develop moderate to severe forms of COVID have to be extra careful. Many of them are on high doses of steroids (methylprednisolone e.t.c) and on anti-coagulants (blood thinners). Steroids can increase BP and also induce an increase in blood sugar levels making diabetes out of control in diabetics. Anti-coagulant use which is essential in patients with significant lung involvement can make the person with uncontrolled BP prone to bleeding in the brain leading to a stroke. For this reason, having a home BP measurement and sugar monitoring is very important.
In addition, non-drug measures like regular exercise, weight reduction, and low salt diets with plenty of fruits and vegetables are very important adjuncts.
Control It!
Hypertension is a major and very common public health problem. Its recognition and early diagnosis are very important. It is amenable to adopting a good lifestyle and easily available medicines. Reducing BP and bringing it to normal levels minimizes strokes, heart attacks, chronic kidney disease, and heart failure, thereby prolonging purposeful life. Advancing age increases its incidence and complications. The rules of controlling it remain the same at all ages.
