fazTimes media: Thiruvananthapuram – High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is now one of the most common health problems linked to lifestyle in India. It affects millions of people. Often called a “silent killer,” hypertension can slowly hurt blood vessels, make the heart work harder, and raise the chance of strokes, heart attacks, and kidney failure if not treated. Although medicines are usually used to control it, more and more patients are facing a more serious problem—resistant hypertension. Resistant hypertension is when a person's blood pressure stays high even after they are taking three or more blood pressure medications, one of which is a diuretic. According to the American Heart Association, if blood pressure is still above 140/90 mmHg even after treatment, it might be called resistant hypertension.

In India, doctors are seeing more cases, especially in city areas where people have inactive lifestyles, unhealthy diets, and high stress. As reported by BBC News, lifestyle-related diseases like hypertension are becoming more common in South Asia, and people are getting affected at younger ages than before.

Resistant hypertension is when a person's blood pressure stays high even after they are taking three or more blood pressure medications, one of which is a diuretic. According to the American Heart Association, if blood pressure is still above 140/90 mmHg even after treatment, it might be called resistant hypertension.

Reduce Salt Intake
Reducing salt in your diet is important because it can help lower high blood pressure. Many foods, including chips, pickles, packaged snacks, and even some pre-made meals, contain a lot of salt. Doctors suggest that people with high blood pressure should aim to eat less than 1,500 mg of salt each day.
Dr. Prakash Menon, a cardiologist at a private hospital in Kochi, says, “Cutting back on salt can make a big difference.” He also notes that even food cooked at home can have more salt than needed.
Follow the DASH Diet.
The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet is made to help lower blood pressure and is recommended by doctors all around the world.
It encourages eating a healthy mix of:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Whole grains
- Lean meats
- Low-fat dairy
- Nuts and legumes
This way of eating naturally includes a lot of potassium, magnesium, and fiber, which are all important for keeping blood pressure under control.
Lose excess weight.
Excess weight, especially around the stomach, can impede blood flow and stress the heart. Research shows that losing just 5 to 10 percent of your total weight can help bring blood pressure down a lot.
In India, people tend to gain more weight around the belly rather than all over the body, so focusing on that area is very important. The best way to do this is by eating fewer calories and staying active with regular exercise.
Avoid or limit alcohol.
Drinking more than one or two alcoholic drinks each day can affect how hypertension medicine works and make blood pressure worse. Cutting back on alcohol or stopping it completely can help make the heart healthier.
“Even drinking a lot just once in a while can undo weeks of healthy habits,” says Dr. Sangeeta Rao, an internal medicine specialist in Bengaluru, concurs. Stress that lasts a long time can make your body release hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones can make your blood pressure go up for a short time. If this scenario happens often, it can cause problems over a long period.
Doing things that help you relax, like taking deep breaths, meditating, doing yoga, or listening to music, can lower your stress. Also, spending time on things you enjoy and keeping a healthy balance between work and personal life are important for managing stress.

Exercise Every day.
Doing moderate aerobic exercise for at least 30 minutes each day, five times a week, is beneficial for your health. Activities such as brisk walking, cycling, swimming, and dancing are all excellent choices. Exercising helps your heart work better, can help you lose weight, and can lower both the top and bottom numbers of your blood pressure.
Al Jazeera reports that public health campaigns in India are now focusing more on daily movement to fight diseases like high blood pressure and diabetes.
Check your blood pressure at home.
Using a blood pressure monitor at home helps you keep track of how it changes over time and notice what might be making it go up. This makes it easier for your doctor to make better decisions about your treatment.
It’s best to write down your readings every day, ideally at the same time each day. This record will give your doctor useful information about how your blood pressure is acting.

Avoid Caffeine After Lunch.
Some individuals experience a significant increase in blood pressure after consuming coffee or energy drinks, despite ongoing debate regarding the extent of caffeine's impact on blood pressure. To be safe, it’s better to avoid caffeine in the late afternoon or evening, especially if you already have high blood pressure.
Stop Smoking.
Each time you smoke a cigarette, your blood pressure and heart rate go up for a little while. Over time, smoking hurts the lining of your arteries, making them less flexible and harder for your heart to work with. Giving up smoking also lowers your risk of other heart and blood vessel problems.
Work Closely with Your Doctor

Sometimes, high blood pressure that doesn’t respond well to treatment is caused by other health issues like:

Thyroid problems
Sleep apnea
Kidney disease
Problems with the adrenal glands

Regular visits and blood tests can help find out if these are the causes. Make sure you take your medicines exactly as your doctor says, including at the right time and in the right amount. Don’t stop or change your medicine without talking to your doctor first.

Your doctor might also try a different type of medicine or suggest using more than one medicine at the same time, depending on how your body reacts.

The Bigger Picture

In India, awareness of hypertension is low, particularly in rural areas. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) recently found that about one in three adults aged 30 and older might have high blood pressure, but many don’t even know it.

Dr. Neeraja Balan, a public health expert, says, “Hypertension can be controlled, but only if people know they have it. We need more screening, especially at the local health centers.”

Final Thoughts

Resistant hypertension is tough to handle, but it’s not completely unmanageable. Combining healthy lifestyle choices, taking medicine as prescribed, and getting timely care can help control blood pressure and lower the risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney problems.

If you or someone you know is struggling with high blood pressure even after treatment, don’t ignore it. Speak to a doctor, review your habits, and take control of your heart health, one day at a time. For more health updates and helpful wellness advice, follow FazTimes on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

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