Hypertension

Symptoms of hypertension are usually not obvious, and patients may not notice any discomfort even if their blood pressure rises abnormally. It is common for patients to realize that they have high blood pressure only after complications have developed, which is why high blood pressure is often referred to as an "invisible killer". However, patients may experience the following symptoms as a result of high blood pressure:

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Blurred vision
• Tinnitus
• Palpitations
• Fatigue
• Redness of the face
• Nosebleeds

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and suspect that you have high blood pressure, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
 

Blood pressure is the pressure exerted on the walls of the arteries when blood is pumped through them as the heart contracts.

In more than 90% of cases of hypertension, the cause cannot be clearly identified, a condition known as "primary hypertension". However, there are a number of risk factors that increase the risk of developing hypertension, such as:

Hypertension can be treated with medication and improved by establishing good lifestyle habits.

• Medications
  • Doctors will prescribe appropriate anti-hypertensive drugs according to the patient's condition. Currently, commonly used drugs include angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiostatin receptor blockers, beta-blockers, calcium ion blockers and diuretics. Patients should take medication at regular intervals according to the doctor's instructions. Generally speaking, the effectiveness of medication is satisfactory.
• Establish a good lifestyle
  • Patients with hypertension need to adjust their lifestyle by quitting smoking, reducing alcohol consumption, watching what they eat and drink, avoiding excessive salt intake, and engaging in regular physical activities, which can help improve hypertension.

If hypertension is not properly treated, the blood vessels of major organs may become diseased, leading to serious complications, such as:

• Coronary heart disease
• arteriosclerosis
• Aneurysm
• Heart failure
• Stroke
• Kidney Failure
• Retinopathy

Prevention of hypertension or close monitoring of prehypertension should start with establishing good lifestyle habits.

 Suggestions to help prevent and control hypertension are as follows:

• Eat a balanced and low-salt diet
• Eat more vegetables and fruits
• Stop smoking
• Limit alcohol consumption
• Exercise: Lack of exercise hardens the walls of blood vessels, making them susceptible to high blood pressure.
• Maintain a relaxed state of mind
   

Early detection of hypertension symptoms and appropriate treatment, as well as control of other risk factors such as blood glucose and blood lipids, can prevent the emergence of hypertension complications.
 

1. Hypertension - World Health Organisation: https://www.who.int/zh/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hypertension
2. Hypertension - Centre for Health Protection: https://www.chp.gov.hk/tc/healthtopics/content/25/35390.html