How Leech therapy treats hypertension and helps to control BP (blood pressure).
Hypertension is a very strong risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). It is estimated that it increases the risk at least two-fold for CVDs including coronary artery disease (CAD), congestive heart failure (CHF)/stroke (ischaemic and hemorrhagic), renal failure and peripheral arterial disease. Other risk factors include diabetes which is also very commonly associated with hypertension. let’s see how to leech therapy used to treat hypertension and control BP (blood pressure).
Hypertension is present globally but its prevalence varies amongst countries and subpopulations. The prevalence of diabetes increases with growing age and it is estimated that starting from around 15% to 20% at in early age it increases to 75% to 80% in individuals above 70 years of age.
Hypertension can be defined as at present, hypertension in adults who are aged 18 years and older who are not presently ill, is defined as “systolic blood pressure of 140 mm Hg or greater and/or diastolic blood pressure of 90 mm Hg or greater or any level of high blood pressure in patients who are taking antihypertensive medication for lowering the high blood pressure.
Predisposing factor
A strong familial and genetic predisposition exists, and a number of modifiable predisposing factors have been identified.
- Role of genetics
- Age and sex
- Weight gain
- Increased salt intake
- Alcohol intake
- Decreased physical activity
- Tobacco smoking
Causes for hypertension
In more than 95% of cases, a specific underlying cause of hypertension cannot be found. Such patients are said to have essential hypertension.
The pathogenesis of this is not clearly understood. Many factors which can contribute to the development of hypertension are
- Renal dysfunction
- Peripheral resistance vessel tone
- Endothelial dysfunction
- Autonomic tone
- Insulin resistance
- Neurohumoral factors.
Hypertension is more common in some ethnic groups than others which are particularly seen in Black Americans and Japanese, and approximately 40–60% is responsible for genetic factors.
Important environmental factors which cause high blood pressure include a
- High salt intake
- Heavy consumption of alcohol
- Obesity
- Lack of exercise
- Impaired intrauterine growth.
There is little evidence that ‘stress’ causes hypertension. In about 5% of cases, hypertension can be shown to be a consequence of a specific disease or abnormality leading to sodium retention and/or peripheral vasoconstriction.