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 |
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
- Lack of physical activity
- Unhealthy diet (e.g. high salt intake)
- Being obese
- Excessive alcohol intake
- Smoking
Non-modifiable
- Age
- Family medical history
- Gender
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