Blood is pumped by the heart to all parts of the body through the arteries, its branches and many capillaries. When the heart contracts, blood forced into the arteries and therefore, exerts a positive pressure on the walls of these channels. When the heart dilates, the pressure in the arteries is reduced and created s negative pressure. The pressure that is exerted on the walls of the arteries during contraction of the heart is called systolic pressure, and during relaxation of the heart the pressure exerted is called diastolic pressure.
Blood pressure different from person to person depending upon age, sex, physical and mental work. Males, those who are aged and those who are bare to more physical and mental work usually maintain higher blood pressure compare to others. During fear, anger and excitement blood pressure is increases. During sleep and period of rest a person maintain lower blood pressure.
The physic and physical factors both including climate are responsible for this disease. Lack of exercise, excessive intake of salt, mental worry, diseases of the kidneys, sleeplessness and others are responsible for high blood pressure. In old age, when the kidney is affected blood pressure goes up. When salt accumulation in the musculature of the walls of the arteries, their elasticity is reduced after that even a little force from the heart create pressure on them. A person who has a high blood pressure does not sleep well at night. Giddiness, weakness, palpitation, indigestion, dyspnea on slight exertion, a feeling of instability are experienced. When high blood pressure become chronic, because of lack of elasticity of the vessels the capillaries who supplying blood to the eyes, specially to the retina are affected and that results in local bleeding and affected also vision. When the condition become worst, it affects the arteries supplying blood to the brain. Due to the less elasticity they may rupture and bleeding takes place. This bleeding is known as cerebral hemorrhage. This results in paralysis.
Sarpagandha is the most powerful herb for high blood pressure. Arjuna is also very useful to correct circulation disturbances. Arjuna ksheerpaka and lashuna ksheerpaka are powerful herbal preparations for hypertension.
