AS WE, the Christian people, are about to celebrate Christmas season this year, the Provincial Health Office in Ilocos Norte has warned the public about the danger of high blood pressure or hypertension during the cold months of December and January.
PHO chief Dr. Artemio Gambalan issued the public warning due to the expected upsurge of hypertension cases this coming Yuletide season citing cool temperature as one of the contributing factors to this malady.
“The reason for this is when the temperature goes down, usually our peripheral blood vessel constricts and it increases resistance. Thus, when resistance increases, the blood pressure also increases,” Dr. Gambalan said.
When a hypertensive patient forgets to take in his maintenance dose, the doctor said, the patient’s blood pressure tends to shoot up as cool temperature could trigger it.
Aside from healthy lifestyle, the PHO officer urged every one to strictly observe proper diet during the festivities by limiting consumption on lechon (roasted pig), bagnet (deep-fried pork meat) and sodium (salt).
“Masarap kasi ang kumain (ng marami) pag malamig ang panahon,” he stressed.
Dr. Gambalan explained that an increased volume of sodium intake invites water which tends to elevate blood pressure.
Medical authorities revealed that many of our people may not know it that they are hypertensive for lack of proper attention to their personal health.
Doctors added that heredity, stress, smoking, alcoholism, lack of exercise and illegal drugs are also risk factors of hypertension.
An uncontrolled hypertension may lead to heart attack, stroke, paralysis, among other ailments, the medical experts said. They stated that it pays to visit a doctor for regular checkup and treatment.
Better still, buy for yourself a digital blood pressure monitor gadget for use anytime at home or workplace, a hypertensive group said. # Source - (Theo S. Guiang with report from D.D./abs cbn tv patrol ilocos)
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