STRESS AND HYPERTENSION

tress is body's reaction to a challenge or demand. In short bursts, stress can be positive, such as when it helps to avoid danger or meet a deadline. High blood pressure (BP) is ranked as the third most important risk factor for attributable burden of disease in south Asia (2010). Hypertension (HTN) exerts a substantial public health burden on cardiovascular health status and healthcare systems in India. Sympathetic responses to acute stress are well documented, but the process by which stress contributes to sustained BP elevation over time is not well understood. It may be repeated activation of this system, failure to return to resting levels following stressful events, failure to habituate to repeated stressors of the same type, or some combination that is responsible for the development of hypertension. A variety of free meditation or mindfulness apps are available to download onto cell phone or tablet. There are also plenty of guided meditations available online. When we don’t get enough rest, it affects our mood. Being tired can also impair judgment and cause brain fog. It’s important to take time for them self and make sure individual getting enough restKey words: awareness, control, hypertension, stress.