Uccharakta Chāpa (Hypertension) is interpreted in Ayurveda as raised arterial blood pressure associated with Vāta vitiation (especially Vyana Vāta), Rakta dushti, and Dhamani pratichaya (thickening of vessels). It overlaps with Rakta-pitta and Hṛdroga contexts. Classical hints are found in Charaka Saṃhitā (Sūtrasthāna 17, Chikitsā 26), Suśruta Saṃhitā (Sūtrasthāna 21, Nidāna 16), Aṣṭāṅga Hṛdaya (Sūtra 12, Nidāna 13), and Mādhava Nidāna under Raktapitta and Hṛdroga.

"धमन्यः प्रतिचीयन्ते ततो रक्तं प्रवर्तते ।"
(सुश्रुत संहिता सूत्रस्थान २१)

Ayurveda considers Hypertension as a multi-factorial condition involving vitiated Vyana Vāta, Rakta dushti, Kapha-mediated srotorodha and Pitta-mediated dāha. The disease has both Apatarpana (tissue depletion, Vāta-pradhāna) and Santarpana (Kapha-Pitta obstruction) features depending on the type. Complications include Hṛdroga, stroke (Pakshaghāta), and kidney disorders.

Dietary causes:

• Ati-lavaṇa, ati-āmla, ati-katu āhāra — excess salty, sour, spicy foods aggravate Pitta and Rakta.

  "लवणं आम्लं कटुं च रक्तं दहति ध्रुवम्"
  (चरक सूत्रस्थान १७)

• Ati-snāigdha, guru āhāra — oily, heavy foods cause Kapha-meda srotorodha.

  "गुरुस्निग्धमधुरं भोजनं दोषकरं हृदि"
  (अष्टाङ्गहृदय सूत्रस्थान १२)

• Madyapāna (alcohol) — increases Pitta and Rakta dushti.

  "मद्यपानात् रकतदोषः"
  (सुश्रुत चिकित्सा ३३)

• Viruddhāhāra — incompatible foods produce āma and vessel obstruction.

  "विरुद्धं भोजनं नित्यं स्रोतोरोधकरं स्मृतम्"
  (चरक सूत्रस्थान २६)

Lifestyle causes:

• Avyayāma (lack of exercise) → Kapha accumulation, sluggish circulation.
• Ati-vyayāma (excessive exertion) → Vāta aggravation causing blood pressure fluctuation.

  "अतिव्यायामाच्च वातः प्रकोपं लभते"
  (सुश्रुत सूत्रस्थान १५)

• Rātrijāgaraṇa (night vigil) → Vata-Pitta aggravation leading to hridya vyākulata.

  "रात्रिजागरणं दोषान् वर्धयत्येव"
  (अष्टाङ्गहृदय सूत्रस्थान ७)

• Krodha, Chinta, Shoka — anger, stress, grief directly raise Rakta and disturb Vāta.

  "क्रोधशोकचिन्ताभ्यां दोषाः प्रकोपमायान्ति"
  (माधवनिदान रकतपित्त)

• Diwasvapna — day sleep promotes Kapha-Meda and srotorodha.

Pathogenesis: Excess salt, stress, and lifestyle vitiate Rakta and Vyana Vāta. Kapha causes srotorodha (vascular stiffness), Pitta causes dāha (inflammation), and Vāta causes gati-vikriti (abnormal circulation). This manifests as increased pressure in dhamanis (arteries). Suśruta describes Dhamani-pratichaya (vascular thickening) and Charaka emphasizes vitiated Rakta and Ojas kshaya in long-standing cases.

"व्यानेन वातेन सह जातो रक्तप्रकोपः"
(अष्टाङ्गहृदय सूत्रस्थान १२)

Diagnosis: Classical features: headache, bhrama, spanda, dāha. Nādi parīkṣā shows Vyana Vāta-Rakta dushti. Modern tools: BP measurement, ECG, renal profile, lipid profile.

• Head heaviness
• Restlessness
• Intermittent chest uneasiness
• Irritability
• Insomnia

• Persistent headache
• Dizziness (Bhrama)
• Palpitations
• Redness of eyes (Netra-rāga)
• Nosebleeds in some cases
• Breathlessness on exertion

"शीर्षगौरवं भ्रमश्च नेत्ररागः कर्णशब्दकः"
(माधवनिदान रकतपित्त)

• Vātaja Rakta Gata Vāta (labile BP, anxiety type)
• Pittaja (inflammatory, with dāha, raktapitta)
• Kaphaja (obstructive, obesity/metabolic type)
• Sannipātaja (mixed)

• Hṛdroga (heart disease)
• Pakshaghāta (stroke)
• Prameha (diabetes)
• Śotha (renal/cardiac edema)

Hypertension detected early and managed with lifestyle & Ayurvedic therapy is sadhya. Chronic uncontrolled with target organ damage is kṛichra-sādhya or asādhya.

• General principles: Nidanaparivarjana, Vāta-Pitta-Kapha shamana, Rakta shodhana, Hridya dravyas, Rasayana.
• Panchakarma: Virechana for Pitta-predominant, Basti for Vata type, Raktamokṣaṇa (Jalaukā) for Rakta dushti, Shirodhara for stress-type hypertension.

  "स्नेहस्वेदनबस्तीनां रकतशोधनमेव च"
  (सुश्रुत चिकित्सा ३३)

• Herbal formulations: Arjuna, Sarpagandha, Jatamansi, Ashwagandha, Brahmi; Classical yogas — Arjuna Ksheerapaka, Sarpagandhādi Vati, Brahmi Vati, Hridayarnava Rasa, Prabhakar Vati.
• External therapies: Hrid-basti with Arjuna ghrita, Shirodhara, Abhyanga.
• Pathya: Laghu, low-salt diet; leafy vegetables; garlic, onion; regular yoga, pranayama.
• Apathya: Excess salt, oily foods, stress, alcohol, smoking.
• Yoga: Shavasana, Sukhasana, Anuloma-Viloma, Bhramari Pranayama.

• Low salt diet
• Arjuna ksheerapaka
• Garlic, onion
• Regular yoga and pranayama

• Excess salt, spicy, oily foods
• Alcohol, smoking
• Stress
• Day-sleep, night vigil

Hypertension is persistent elevation of blood pressure, risk factor for CAD, stroke, renal disease. Ayurveda explains as Rakta gata vata / dhamani pratichaya. Management includes lifestyle correction, Panchakarma, Arjuna, Sarpagandha, yoga, and modern anti-hypertensive medication if required.

• BP measurement
• ECG, Echocardiography
• Renal function, lipid profile
• Fundoscopy for retinopathy