What is Hypertension?

Hypertension: Normal blood pressure is defined as a blood pressure of 90 - 120 mm Hg when the heart beats (systolic) and a blood pressure of 80 - 60 mm Hg when the heart relaxes (diastolic).
According to WHO, if systolic blood pressure is equal to or above 140 mm Hg and/or a diastolic blood pressure equal to or above 90 mm Hg the blood pressure is considered to be raised or high.

Are you at risk of having hypertension?

If you belong to the following group(s) and having the indicated symptom(s), please contact doctor and check your blood pressure regularly.

• Age(older than 55 for men, 65 for women)
• Male gender
• Family history of premature cardiovascular disease (men under age 55 or women under age 65)
• Medical condition (if you have diabetes, Kidney disease and others chronic disease)
• Alcohol abuse
• Smoking
• Excess dietary sodium
• Lack of exercise
• Stress
• Overweight

Why I need to check blood pressure regularly?

Hypertension is a common diseases without any significant symptom, this silent killer may developing renal failure, heart failure, cardiovascular event, coronary artery heart disease, stroke, peripheral vascular disease (1) and retinopathy. Hence, checking blood pressure regularly is essential.

How to control hypertension?

Treating hypertension has been associated with about 40% reduction in the risk of stroke and about a 15%¹ reduction in the risk of myocardial infarction. Here are the treatment strategies:

• Lifestyle modifications
• Drug therapy – please consult with your family doctor

Reference:
1. Guideline committee. 2003 European Society of Hypertension-European Society of Cardiology guidelines for the management of arterial hypertension. J Hypertens 2003;21:1011-1053.
2. Psaty BM, Manolio TA, Smith NL, Heckbert SR, Gotdiener JS, Burke GL, et al. Time trends in high blood pressure control and the use of antihypertensive medications in older adults. The Cardiovascular Health Study. Arch Intern Med 2002; 162:2325-2332
3. Marques-Vidal P, Tuomilehto J. Hypertension awareness, treatment and control in the community. Is the ‘rule of halves’ still valid? J Hum Hypertens 1997; 11:213-220.
4. Primatesta P, Brookes M, Poulter NR, Improved hypertension management and control. Results from the Health Survey for England 1998. Hypertension 2001; 38:827 – 832