Hypertension

  Written by: Muhammad Nasir Serat

Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure (HBP) is a chronic disease, in which the blood pressure in the arteries is persistently elevated. High blood pressure typically does not cause symptoms. AEPO’s writer/producer has talked to some patients and a physician about this disease.

Parween, a resident of Kabul city says, “I have high blood pressure and I am always suffering from severe headache and shortness of breath.”

Ihsanullah, a resident of Qarabagh district, Kabul province says, “My mother had HBP and she was suffering from headache and lethargy and finally she died of hypertension.”

Doctor Haseebullah Najeeb, an internist at Blossom Hospital, Kabul city says, “Symptoms of high blood pressure are not seen in many patients, but some patients have a mild headache, sudden dizziness, shortness of breath, low vision, extreme tiredness, nausea, fear, and anxiety; sometimes bleeding of nose and if these patients are not treated, these issues might cause damage of red arteries, stroke, loss of vision, loss of kidneys, loss of memory, and in the end causes heart attack  the patient might die.”

What do people think about the causes of HBP?

Mehrabuddin, a resident of Bamiyan province says, “Those who are overweighting and eating fatty and fast foods in the bazaar mostly suffer from HBP.”

Aziz Ahmad says, “I don’t know the exact cause of HPB but I think those who smoke and do not have physical exercise, they might more suffer from HBP.”

Doctor Najeeb talks about the causes of HBP, “Constant use of monotonous foods, especially fried and high-fat foods, overweight and obesity; smoking, anxiety, and fatigue; inactivity and lack of physical activity; having a family history and eating too much at night, which causes obesity and high blood pressure, and using a lot of salt in daily foods are the causes of HBP.”

How some people treat and prevent HBP at home?

Ms. Mariam says, “I always eat low-fat foods and avoid fast foods and I try to eat more vegetables and fresh fruits. We do not use solid ghee in our dishes and I use olive oil in cooking. I feel better than before.”

Parween says, “I have brought some changes in my daily foods. I rarely use meat and I do not eat too much food at dinner time and I am taking medicines according to the prescription of my doctor.”

Doctor Najeeb says, “The patients of high blood pressure should eat vegetables and fresh fruits instead of fatty and fried foods at home, avoiding carbonated drinks, and use less salt in meals. Use oils in food, eat less meat and sweets and they should go to the doctor regularly.”