Doctors are warning those with hypertension to be especially cautious as dengue cases rise in India. Dengue, which often presents with symptoms like a cough, persistent sneezing, and fever, can exacerbate high blood pressure.
The rainy season has seen a spike in mosquito-borne diseases in cities like Kolkata, Ludhiana, Delhi, Noida, and Dehradun. If left untreated, dengue can become severe, potentially causing hospitalization, very low platelet counts, or dengue hemorrhagic syndrome. Hypertensive individuals are advised to stay vigilant to reduce their risk of dengue.
How Dengue Affects Blood Pressure: Although the exact link between hypertension and severe dengue is not fully understood, experts offer a few explanations. Both conditions involve excessive immune system activation and inflammation. This inflammatory state in hypertensive patients can lead to vascular endothelium dysfunction, where blood vessels fail to dilate properly, increasing the risk of chronic chest pain, stroke, heart attack, and coronary artery disease. Severe dengue can further complicate these issues. Additionally, disruptions in the endothelial glycocalyx layer, seen in conditions like diabetes and hypertension, may also play a role.
Managing Hypertension: Here are some tips for managing high blood pressure:
