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What is Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure is the force of the blood pushing against the walls of the blood vessels as it flows through. Blood pressure is always given as a higher and lower number, the systolic and diastolic pressures. Usually they are written one above or before the other, such as 120/80 mmHg.
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Systolic pressure: When heart contracts, it squeezes blood out like a pump to the blood vessels. The pressure transmitted to the blood vessels on contraction is called systolic pressure.
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Diastolic blood pressure. When the heart is at rest, between beats, your blood pressure falls. The resting pressure retains the patency of the blood vessel. This is the diastolic pressure.
Blood pressure changes during the day. It is the lowest as you sleep and rises when you get up. It can also rise when you are excited, nervous or active.
What is High Blood Pressure?
High blood pressure is also known as hypertension. A blood pressure measurement of 140/90 or higher that is sustained over time is considered high blood pressure. People who are at ‘high risk’ of developing heart diseases should set a target of less than 130/80.
What causes High Blood Pressure? Why is it important?
Hypertension is common. Most people develop high blood pressure at some point in their lives. Two out of every three people over the age of 65 have high blood pressure. Most people have Primary or Essential Hypertension, which means that there are no definite underlying cause. However, there are risk factors such as older age, male, family history and more importantly, lifestyle factors that can predispose a person to the disease:
Secondary hypertension is much less common; it can be caused by:
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Kidney disease
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Some tumours (adrenal gland)
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Congenital narrowing of specific blood vessels
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Drugs: oral contraceptives and steroids
There are usually no warning symptoms in the early stages of high blood pressure, and a person may feel normal and well. Often called "The Silent Killer", untreated hypertension gradually damages the body organs and causes:
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Heart failure - where the overworked heart becomes weak;
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Blood vessel rupture, and
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Blood vessel narrowing and obstruction.
The latter two situations can occur in vital organs such as the brain, heart, kidney and eyes, resulting in stroke, heart attack, kidney failure and blindness.
Control of Hypertension
Clinical studies have proven that treating high blood pressure saves lives, greatly reduces illnesses, and improves the quality of life. Here’s how one can control their hypertension:
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Exercise regularly
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Follow a healthy diet
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Reduce sodium intake
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Lose excess weight – the ideal Body Mass Index for Asians is less than 23
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Limit alcohol consumption
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Quit smoking
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Manage stress level
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Monitor blood pressure level closely
General Tips
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Go for blood tests as recommended by your doctor annually. Eye examinations are also important.
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Make sure you know when and how to take your medications.
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Don't change doses or stop medication unless instructed by your doctor.
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Keep track of the names and doses of all the medications you take.
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Take medicine exactly as prescribed and never stop taking it without your doctor’s permission. Abrupt cessation of medications can be life-threatening. |