Types and Causes
There are 2 known types of hypertension. The first is called primary or essential hypertension. The other is called secondary hypertension.
Essential Hypertension
You are diagnosed with essential hypertension when you have a high reading 3-4 times consecutively and the doctor has eliminated all other causes of the raised blood pressure. Factors that can cause this are smoking, diet, alcohol consumption and genetic makeup.
Secondary Hypertension
The most common cause of secondary hypertension is abnormalities in the arteries supplying blood to the kidney. Other causes can be restricted air passages, disease or tumour of the adrenal gland, thyroid disease or too much salt and alcohol in the diet. Secondary hypertension can be controlled, maybe even reversed with the right procedures and lifestyle changes.
Dangers of Hypertension
Although there are no clear signs and symptoms of hypertension, if it is prolonged, it can lead to a whole host of health related issues, such as:
Treatment: Ayurvedic Approach
In Ayurvedic terms, Hypertension is the aggravation of the Vata and Pitta Dosha. These can be balanced with herbal medicines. As hypertension is also a state of mind, counselling can help. Herbo minerals help manage blood pressure and protect the heart. Here are some other ways to manage hypertension:
Shirodhara
This is a type of head massage done with oils that help to reduce toxins (Ama) and balance Doshas to curb high blood pressure.
Takradhara
This is an Ayurvedic treatment that involves the pouring of buttermilk over the body in order to ease the tension in the muscles and the arteries and promote a healthy blood flow.
Asvagandha
This adaptogen primarily helps increase the dopamine levels in your body. And in turn helps to reduce stress that then reduces the tension within the arteries of the body.
Arjuna
This herb helps table high blood pressure. It promotes good heart health and alleviates hypertension by unclogging arteries.
Shilajit
Shilajit works as a blood thinner. This helps is the easy flow of blood from the heart to the internal organs, reducing the work the heart has to do to pump it.
