What is Hypertension?
Hypertension is defined as systolic blood pressure (upper reading) higher than 140 mmHg and diastolic (lower reading) higher than 90mmHg.
Categories of hypertension
| Blood pressure category | Systolic (upper reading) | Diastolic (lower reading) | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Normal |
Lower than 120 |
Lower than 80 |
Keep it up |
|
Prehypertension |
120 – 139 |
80 – 89 |
Make healthy lifestyle changes |
|
Hypertension (High blood pressure) |
Above 140 |
Above 90 |
Consult your doctor and start medication |
Signs and Symptoms
Hypertension does not normally cause symptoms unless it is very high.
If blood pressure is very high, patients may experience:
- Headaches
- Visual disturbance
- Seizures
Risk Factors
Modifiable risk factors
Non-modifiable risk factors
Lack of physical activity
- Age
- Family medical history
- Gender
Unhealthy diet (e.g. high salt intake)
Being obese
Excessive alcohol intake
Smoking
How is hypertension diagnosed
Regular blood pressure monitoring: 2 – 3 high readings at several medical appointments to diagnose high blood pressure.
Complications of High blood pressure
Preventive Measures
Preventive measures are focused on reducing modifiable risk factors.
Do regular exercise: At least 30 minutes every day, 5 times a week.
Eat a healthy diet: reduce high intake of salt and fat
Maintain a healthy body weight
Reduce alcohol intake
Stop Smoking
