High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Management
- What it is
What is high blood pressure?
Blood pressure is the force created by the heart pump to move blood around the body. Blood carries nutrients and oxygen to all parts of the body. High blood pressure, or hypertension, refers to a condition in which the blood is pumped around the body at a higher pressure.
It is one of the major risk factors for coronary artery disease and stroke. Untreated hypertension can also cause heart failure and renal failure. Hypertension is the most important risk factor for development of intracerebral bleed.
In general, blood pressure fluctuates with the time of day, physical activity and emotions. Therefore, blood pressure has to be taken under resting conditions and on more than one occasion. Normally, your blood pressure will increase if:
- Your blood volume is increased by too much salt intake which retains more water in the body.
- Your blood vessels become more rigid due to atherosclerosis, a process where fatty substances are deposited in the blood vessel walls.
What are the categories of blood pressure levels?
The different categories of blood pressure levels are listed below.
Categories of Blood Pressure (BP) Levels in Adults Age 18 Years and Above
| Blood Pressure Level (mmHg) |
Category
| Systolic BP (mmHg)
| Diastolic BP (mmHg)
|
Normal BP
| < 130
| < 80
|
High - Normal BP
| 130 – 139 | 80 – 89
|
Grade 1 Hypertension
| 140 – 159 *
| 90 – 99
|
Grade 2 Hypertension
| 160 *
| 100
|
Isolated Systolic Hypertension*
| 140
| < 90
|
*Isolated systolic hypertension is graded according to the same level of systolic BP
Source: MOH Clinical Practice Guidelines 2/2005
How prevalent is hypertension?
According to the Singapore National Health Survey (1998), 27.3% of Singaporeans between the ages of 30 and 69 years, suffer from hypertension.
