A senior neurologist from Apollo Hospitals, Dr. Sudhir Kumar, has highlighted the importance of everyday habits in contributing to high blood pressure. While high-sodium diets and family history are well-known risk factors, Dr. Kumar emphasizes that routine behaviors, often overlooked, can gradually push blood pressure upwards. He notes that hypertension is shaped by cumulative behavior rather than isolated choices, and that ordinary habits can trigger physiological changes that impact cardiovascular health.
Dr. Kumar identifies several daily actions that can elevate blood pressure over time, including stressful driving, exercising outdoors on polluted days, long working hours, sedentary patterns, and constant pressure. He also highlights the importance of social well-being and sleep, noting that loneliness, weak social support systems, and disrupted sleep patterns can contribute to higher cardiovascular risk.
In addition, Dr. Kumar warns against diet triggers such as excessive sugar intake, high caffeine consumption, and alcohol, as well as packaged foods that contain hidden sodium. He also emphasizes the importance of regular exercise and avoiding smoking and second-hand smoke, which can cause immediate spikes in blood pressure and contribute to long-term artery damage.
The key takeaway from Dr. Kumar’s advisory is that hypertension develops gradually and is shaped by routine habits, not sudden events. He urges individuals to assess their daily routines, identify their triggers, and make incremental changes to protect heart health over the long term. By doing so, individuals can reduce their risk of developing hypertension and promote overall cardiovascular well-being.
Some of the key habits that Dr. Kumar recommends avoiding or modifying include:
* Stressful driving and exercising on polluted days
* Long working hours and sedentary patterns
* Excessive sugar intake, high caffeine consumption, and alcohol
* Packaged foods with hidden sodium
* Smoking and second-hand smoke
* Disrupted sleep patterns and loneliness
By making small changes to daily habits and being mindful of these potential triggers, individuals can take a proactive approach to protecting their heart health and reducing their risk of developing hypertension. As Dr. Kumar notes, “Blood pressure does not rise overnight; it is shaped by daily habits. Identify your triggers, fix one behavior at a time, and your arteries will thank you.”