Understanding Hypertension

In recent years, with the improvement of residents' living conditions, the number of hypertension patients in China has increased. According to statistics, on average one in every four adults suffers from hypertension , which shows that the incidence of hypertension is very high . However, even for such a common disease, many people know very little about it. Many patients even suffer from it without knowing it, and have many misunderstandings about hypertension. Today, let us take a brief look at hypertension.

1.What is hypertension?

Hypertension is a cardiovascular syndrome with increased systemic arterial pressure (systolic pressure ≥130 mmHg and diastolic pressure ≥80 mmHg in the clinic without the use of antihypertensive drugs) as the main clinical manifestation. It can be divided into primary hypertension and secondary hypertension. Primary hypertension is generally the result of the interaction of genetic and environmental factors, and secondary hypertension is caused by certain specific diseases or causes. Among the affected population, primary hypertension accounts for the majority, and the proportion of secondary hypertension is not large.

2. Classification and common symptoms of hypertension

Hypertension develops slowly and often has no symptoms in the early stages. When symptoms do occur, they are often accompanied by complications of the heart, brain, kidneys and other organs. Common symptoms of hypertension include dizziness, headache, fatigue, palpitations, shortness of breath, tight neck, nosebleeds, blurred vision, vertigo , etc. If these symptoms occur, you must go to the hospital for examination and treatment in time, and do not be lucky and delay the initial treatment of hypertension.

3. What factors in life are likely to cause high blood pressure?

The first factor is the unique high-sodium, low-potassium dietary habits of the Chinese people. According to an international study on salt and blood pressure (INTERMAP), the 24-hour sodium/potassium ratio of the Chinese population is above 6, and the daily average salt intake per capita in most areas is 12-15g or more. Such a high-sodium, low-potassium dietary habit has contributed to the high incidence of hypertension in China.

The second factor is obesity . As people's quality of life becomes more and more affluent, more and more people are obese. Various studies have shown that obesity can cause high blood pressure through various mechanisms, especially for people with abdominal obesity, whose high blood pressure rate will increase fourfold.

The third factor is the invisible stimulation in life. People who do mental work, lack exercise , are in a noisy environment for a long time, and have jobs with high mental stress have a much higher incidence of the disease. In addition, according to relevant studies, smoking, alcoholism and high blood pressure are also closely related.

4. Common Misconceptions about Hypertension

1. Stop taking the medicine when your blood pressure is normal

Some patients with hypertension believe that if their blood pressure returns to normal after taking antihypertensive drugs, it means that their hypertension has been cured and they no longer need to take antihypertensive drugs. But in fact, their blood pressure will rise again after stopping the drugs , and there is currently no complete cure for hypertension, so they need to take antihypertensive drugs on time throughout their lives.

2. If there are no symptoms, there is no hypertension and there is no need to measure blood pressure

Some patients do not have symptoms such as headaches and dizziness. This is because the course of hypertension is long and the body has adapted and tolerated it, so there is no feeling. However, the absence of symptoms does not mean that elevated blood pressure is harmless to the body . By the time a series of complications occur, the risk is often high. Blood pressure must be measured regularly. If blood pressure is found to be elevated and there are indications for medication, seek medical attention and take medication in a timely manner.

3. The older you are, the higher your blood pressure is.

Some people think that as age increases, the normal value of blood pressure will also be higher. But in fact, the diagnostic criteria for hypertension have no age division, and normal blood pressure should be controlled within 130/80 mmHg . Once it exceeds, you should consult a doctor and seek treatment in time.

4. If your blood pressure is too high, you think you have high blood pressure

The diagnosis of hypertension cannot be determined by a single blood pressure measurement because it is not a standard measurement. The standard measurement method should be to sit quietly in a relaxed environment. The best time is within one hour after waking up in the morning and within one hour before going to bed. Measure three or more times in a row until the high and low pressure differences between the two measurements do not exceed 5 mmHg. Remove the first measurement value and take the average of the next two measurements. Only such blood pressure measurement values ​​are of diagnostic significance.

5. How to prevent hypertension?

1. Control your weight and keep your BMI below 24kg/㎡

2. Maintain a good diet and control sodium, salt, sugar and fat intake

3. Quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption

4. Maintain good living habits and exercise moderately

5. Reduce mental stress and maintain a balanced mentality

6. Supplement folic acid preparations when necessary

6. References:

[1] Zhang Junfeng, Hu Ruochen. Common misunderstandings about hypertension[N]. Health News, 2021-10-08(008).DOI:10.28415/n.cnki.njika.2021.004461.

[2] Ge Junbo, Xu Yongjian, Wang Chen. Internal Medicine - 9th Edition [M]. Beijing: People's Medical Publishing House, 2018: 247-260

Author: Dai Zhaori, Su Longteng, Hong Qiaoyun, Huang Yan

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