Fenómenos que afectan al ciclo diurno

Hypertension or high blood pressure is the most common disease affecting the heart and blood vessels There is an agreement at large that blood pressure of 120/80 is normal in a healthy adult. Borderline high blood pressure is defined as diastolic pressure between 85 and 90 mild high blood pressure is diastolic pressure between 91 and 104 and moderate high blood pressure is diastolic pressure between 105 and 115 severe high blood pressure is diastolic pressure of 116 or higher. Isolated systolic hypertension is systolic pressure greater than 160 in those whose diastolic pressure is less than 90.

Hypertension could be caused by an increase in cardiac output or in total peripheral resistance or both. In reality however the major abnormality in most cases of well-established hypertension is increased total peripheral resistance caused by abnormally reduced arteriolar lumen for more than 95 percent of the persons with hypertension. The cause of hypertension is known and in that condition it is called ‘essential hypertension’. The remaining percentage is secondary hypertension which has an

identifiable underlying cause such as kidney diseases, adrenal hyper secretion etc.

Psychological, physiological and environmental factors are only three of the many factors that lead to high blood pressure. A common misconception is that ageing causes hypertension. It doesn’t always though the universal average for the onset of hypertension in the late thirties. Overweight people and those who are tense and excitable are especially susceptible to hypertension; emotional conflicts are also a cause.

The cells of the kidneys secrete the hormone rennin which is influenced by sympathetic stress, the stress faced by the body and the mind. Hence rennin secretion may well be under mental influences. Rennin reacts with a chemical known as angiotensinogen and this sets off a series of chemical changes producing an end product known as angiotenson which causes vaso-constriction and elevated blood pressure. This situation is also influenced by the hormone aldosterone which retains salt and water through the kidneys aggravating the condition.

The normal blood pressure under resting conditions should be 120/80mm of mercury. Both the systolic and diastolic pressure can be affected. Both have to be made normal with treatment. The level at which the systolic pressure should be treated is 140mm and the diastolic 90mm. Pressure of 130 to 135mm systolic and 85 to88 diastolic are labeled as high normal Systolic pressure is the measurement made when the heart is contracting and the muscle

pushes out blood from the ventricles and in the process presses on the coronary arteries reducing its own blood supply. Hence if the diastolic pressure remains above 90mm coronary artery filling will be jeopardized.

This sympathetic stress is reduced the diastolic pressure is reduced and coronary filling is normalized. High blood pressure is a serious condition and requires prompt attention because it is an underlying factor that brings about other cardiovascular and renal disorders like stroke heart disease, kidney trouble and hardening of the arteries. The pressure can remain stable or fluctuate. The latter is a dangerous can produce a stroke high blood pressure works insidiously. It affects the heart and blood vessels and then indirectly other organs. When blood vessels get constricted, the heart must work harder and a time comes when its own coronary arteries can no longer nourish the heart then heart disease develops. Similarly hypertension affects the brain and kidneys resulting in stroke and uraemia both fatal conditions.

Yoga is an excellent means of treating high blood pressure. As hypertension begins in the mind Yoga is of prime value. However weight loss is essential for yogic management to be of use and only dynamic exercises can reduce weight. Yoga can be practiced side by side with weight-reducing exercises as Yoga alone can prevent vascular complications due to its massaging effect on the arteries Asanas make the arteries and capillaries

elastic and allow more blood to flow into various areas resulting in better relaxation of those tissues.

The sympathetic nervous system is always set on higher level of charge in hypertensive. By the practice of Yoga the tone of sympathetic discharge is brought down Shavasana relaxation is like sleep. It is conscious sleep. In sleep the nervous system recoups itself the same happens in Yoga. There is yet another difference. In sleep the subconscious mind is still active and the nerves are still tense. In Yoga every part of the nervous system is kept passive and the relaxation of the nerves is far better.

The state of nerves in a hypertensive is one of overuse and decreased excitability. Excitabilites means the ability to transmit an impulse. In a hypertensive the nerves are exhausted and overstrained. As the excitability of the nerve is inversely proportional to the degree of activity, Yoga restores the elasticity of the nervous system. A proper sleep pattern is essential for all particularity for a hypertension patient. The delicate biorhythm in the body which influences the neuro-endocrine circuit should never be upset.

Forward bends are the linchpin of yogic management without which the pressure never normalizes. Fluctuations of blood pressure are controlled by these poses. When these posses are practiced the thoracic cage is brought parallel to the ground and the heart slows down as there is no strain to push the blood against gravity to the brain. With the heart rate slowing the cardiac output

also slows. These poses increase in the tone and the excess sympathetic tone is reduced. There is then a decrease in the tone of the vasomotor centre in the brain (which controls the tone of the arteries) and blood pressure drops.

Setu bandha, sarvangasana rests the brain and again the cortical centers are rested and the mind is kept at its root. The lift of the diaphragm and lungs and the emotional centre on the heart which occurs in this asana stabilizes the blood pressure. Savasana with normal inhalation and prolonged exhalation stabilizes the sympathetic nervous system. The longer exhalation relaxes the sympathetic nerves and the BP is controlled

Pranayama greatly influences the circularly system. With each inhalation and exhalation the output of blood flow to the body varies. This changes the blood pressure. In prolonged inhalation (never done by normal people) the right ventricular (RV)output increases and left ventricular (LV) output falls. In exhalation the reverse occurs. Due to the increase in duration of inhalation and exhalation significant pressure changes can occurs. The emphasis on inhalation or exhalation depends on blood pressure being high or low. The overdrive of the sympathetic nervous system is most amenable to reduction by the practice of pranayama. The elasticity of the aorta and major blood vessels is well maintained.

The steady rhythmic breathing helps control the autonomic system. As the breathing rate reduces the stress on the body is

reduced. The hibernative state removes the accumulated stress all this happens over a period of time