What to do with high blood pressure?

Written by: National Professor Brigadier (Retd.) Abdul Malik, Founder, and President, National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh

Heart disease and stroke are now the No. 1 fatal diseases in the world. Heart disease kills 16.9 million people worldwide each year, accounting for 31 percent of all deaths. Half of those who die from these diseases are between the ages of 15-69. It's extremely traumatic. Because, at the age when life becomes beautiful and busy, a person is able to make an important contribution in personal, family and social life, at that age either death takes him away or disease cripples him. But if we want, we can prevent these diseases.



One of the leading causes of heart disease is high blood pressure. Generally, a person with a blood pressure of 140/90 Mercury or higher is considered to have high blood pressure. More than 150 crore people in the world are affected by this disease. In Bangladesh too, 21 percent of the adult population suffers from high blood pressure. High blood pressure can be due to various reasons. Notable causes include excess salt intake, smoking, lack of physical activity, anxiety or stress, alcoholism, obesity, and even hereditary factors.

Everyone needs to follow the necessary hygiene rules to keep their blood pressure normal. You should also know your blood pressure. People who already have high blood pressure need to be aware of how to control it and have their blood pressure measured regularly. It is very easy and can be done sitting at home. It is necessary to know the rules.

Rules for measuring blood pressure at home

An appropriate instrument for measuring blood pressure should be bought with the advice of a doctor. There are different sizes of bracelets available in the market, so you have to choose the right size before buying. If necessary, take the help of a doctor, health worker or vendor. If the size is not correct, the amount of blood pressure or the reading is not correct. However, many brands of digital instruments are now available to measure blood pressure.

You should refrain from doing any heavy work, exercise, walking or drinking tea and coffee for at least 30 minutes before measuring your blood pressure.

Sit leaning on the chair in such a way that the feet are in the normal position on the floor, the feet cannot be raised.

Sit with a towel or pillow under your hands so that your hands are parallel to your heart. One hand cannot be placed on the other.

The brace must be fitted to the hand properly, it is important to get accurate readings of blood pressure.


Readings should be taken 2-3 times in a 1-minute intervals. Blood pressure must be measured and recorded immediately.

Blood pressure measurements are to be considered as a record of blood pressure twice in the morning and evening at home for seven days.

Do whatever it takes to keep blood pressure normal

Everyone in the family should refrain from consuming all kinds of tobacco products. If you have a habit of smoking, decide to quit today.

People who are overweight should try to regain their ideal weight. There are two ways to measure a person's weight. Body mass index (BMI) and abdominal size. BMI indicates the average weight of a person. BMI is the sum of a person's weight (kilograms) and height (meters). BMI 18.5-24.99 is considered the norm. Note that this measurement may vary by country and caste.

Eat a healthy balanced diet. Morning, noon, and night - these three times to take an adequate amount of balanced food according to age and need. No lunch can be omitted.

Avoid fast food and processed foods.

  • Eat plenty of fresh and colorful vegetables, native and seasonal fruits.
  • Instead of red meat, chicken meat and small and big fish should be included in the diet.
  • You need to be vegetarian at least one day a week.
  • Use a little or moderate salt when cooking.
  • Take as little sodium and other salts as possible. Avoid taking loose salt with food or on leaves.
  • Vinegar, lemon juice, raw garlic, and spices should be used instead of salt in food preservation.
  • When buying food, the amount of sodium on the product should be good and you should choose a food that is relatively low in sodium.
  • Alcohol or alcohol should be avoided.
  • You have to do physical work, you have to develop the habit of doing your own work.
  • Try to walk, cycle, swim regularly. Exercise should be at least 10 minutes a day.

Use the stairs instead of the elevator.

  • Whenever possible you should have the habit of walking or cycling to the office and nearby destinations.
  • The role of drugs in reducing high blood pressure
  • A person who is already suffering from high blood pressure should seek medical help from a doctor or health worker. Some medications help control high blood pressure as well as prevent heart attacks and strokes.

Remember ...

  • Medication should be taken regularly as per the advice of the doctor.
  • Irregularities in the use of medicines will not help in controlling high blood pressure.
  • Usually, every medicine has some side effects, so if any kind of problem occurs as a result of taking the medicine, the doctor should be informed immediately and necessary action should be taken. Do not automatically shut down or change.
  • Medication should be taken as well as regular blood pressure measurement.