High blood pressure or hypertension means high pressure or tension in the arteries. An elevation of the systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure increases the risk of developing cardiac disease, renal disease, hardening of the arteries, eye damage, and brain damage. These complications of hypertension are often referred to as end-organ damage because damage to these organs is the end result of chronic (long duration) high blood pressure.

Primary hypertension

Patients in whom no specific cause for hypertension is detected are labeled as primary hypertension. The vast majority of cases of primary hypertension are due to increased stiffness (resistance) of the peripheral arteries. Increased peripheral artery resistance is associated with:

Heredity: Genetic factors are considered to very important in the development of hypertension. Hypertension often runs in families.

Environmental factors: like increased salt intake, obesity, lack of exercise, etc. are also responsible.

Secondary hypertension

Cases of hypertension where some specific cause can be found are termed as secondary hypertension. Though accounting for only 5% of cases of hypertension, these are important because correction of the cause can often lead to cure of hypertension. Following are some of the most common causes of secondary hypertension:

Kidney disease: In chronic kidney disease, excessive fluid accumulation in the body elevates blood pressure.

Narrowing (stenosis) of the artery to the kidney is an uncommon condition that typically causes sudden, severe hypertension. The majority (66%) of kidney artery narrowing is caused by hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), usually in older men. The remaining 33% is caused by the thickening (fibroplasia) of the muscular wall of the arteries to the kidneys, usually in younger women. Reduction of blood supply to the kidneys causes production of the hormone renin, which acts to constrict the arteries, thereby elevating blood pressure.

Oral contraceptive pills: the pills containing the hormone Estrogen may lead to hypertension and some experts believe that it may be the most common cause of secondary hypertension.

Other causes: these include tumors of the pituitary or the adrenal glands.

Holistic Perspective

Our ancient texts, says that any issue small or big unresolved and unattended leads to stress and anxiety. Unattended stress and anxiety leads to over activity of the mind, which in turn leads to vitiation of the vata, especially vyana and in turn affects the rasa dathu and rakta dhatu (blood) and gets manifested in the form of hypertension.

People suffering from hypertension are prone to bursts of anger and anxiety. A tendency to suppress emotions and inability to own the shadow part of oneself is a common phenomenon. Many also suffer from a feeling of helplessness and also have a tendency to procrastinate.

Approach Followed at Ojas:

At Ojas through Rakta Prasadana, Daharaakasha Upasana, Vyana Poshana Pranayama, Mano Niyamanam and other supportive programmes, the over-activated mind is arrested and peace and calmness is restored thereby bringing down the aggravated vata in the blood. These above mentioned unique procedure of the Ojas will help you to enhance the normal flow of the blood by normalizing the vyana energy in the body, reduces the pressure on the heart, and brings in the inner peace and a state of mind which is free from all the emotional baggage leading to the normalisation of blood pressure.

General Dietary Guidelines

Avoid intake of large amount of sour and salty food stuffs like pickles, curd, junk foods etc … Intake of salt should be regularized.

Suggested Asanas and Pranayama

•   Padmasana   

•   Vajrasana with vyana mudra

•   Yoganidra

•   Nadi shodana pranayama

•   Bhramari pranayama

All asanas should be done under the doctor’s guidance.

Meditation:

Meditation would be extremely beneficial for this health condition provided it is guided.

Listen to the Vedic chant “Eliminating Hypertension” twice a day.