Doctors are warning those with hypertension to be especially cautious as dengue cases rise in India. Dengue, which often presents with symptoms like a cough, persistent sneezing, and fever, can exacerbate high blood pressure.
The rainy season has seen a spike in mosquito-borne diseases in cities like Kolkata, Ludhiana, Delhi, Noida, and Dehradun. If left untreated, dengue can become severe, potentially causing hospitalization, very low platelet counts, or dengue hemorrhagic syndrome. Hypertensive individuals are advised to stay vigilant to reduce their risk of dengue.
How Dengue Affects Blood Pressure: Although the exact link between hypertension and severe dengue is not fully understood, experts offer a few explanations. Both conditions involve excessive immune system activation and inflammation. This inflammatory state in hypertensive patients can lead to vascular endothelium dysfunction, where blood vessels fail to dilate properly, increasing the risk of chronic chest pain, stroke, heart attack, and coronary artery disease. Severe dengue can further complicate these issues. Additionally, disruptions in the endothelial glycocalyx layer, seen in conditions like diabetes and hypertension, may also play a role.
Managing Hypertension: Here are some tips for managing high blood pressure:
- Exercise: Even short periods of physical activity, like a 10-minute walk, can be beneficial.
- Healthy Diet: Reduce salt intake and increase potassium by eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat foods. The DASH diet is also recommended.
- Maintain Healthy Weight: Losing weight can help lower blood pressure.
- Quit Alcohol: Avoiding alcohol can prevent high blood pressure.
- Adequate Sleep: Aim for 7 to 9 hours of quality sleep each night.
- Reduce Stress: Minimize stress by managing daily routines and avoiding stressful situations.
- No Smoking: Smoking raises heart rate and blood pressure, so quitting is advised.
- Medication: Take any prescribed medication exactly as directed by your healthcare provider.