High Blood Pressure

The causes of hypertension are unknown in 95% of patients. In 5% of cases, some conditions may be responsible, such as kidney disease, atherosclerosis and hormonal imbalance. Other risk factors of hypertension include diabetes, obesity and a strong family history of the disease.

It is important to understand that blood pressure varies throughout the day depending on what you are doing. For example, when exercising, feeling stressed or in pain, your blood pressure increases temporarily for that duration. In these instances, there is no need for medical attention. Treatment is only needed if the blood pressure is always higher than normal.

Hypertension usually does not display symptoms but it can damage various organs in the long run and cause the following:

• Headache and giddiness (in severe cases)
• Heart attack
• Heart failure
• Kidney disease
• Stroke

Your doctor will evaluate your condition and discuss with you the range of suitable treatment options. These include a combination of:

• Lifestyle changes to improve your general health:
  1. A healthy diet (limit intake of salt, cholesterol and all fat types, and increase fibre intake)
  2. Exercise regularly
  3. Limit alcohol consumption
  4. Maintain a healthy weight
  5. Quit smoking
• Monitoring of blood pressure at home
• Visiting your doctor for regular check-ups to better manage your condition and avoid potential complications
• Antihypertensive medications may also be prescribed. They need to be taken regularly and permanently

• Heart disease (eg. coronary heart disease)
• Heart failure
• Peripheral artery disease
• Renal (kidney) failure
• Stroke