According to research, 26.6% of Chinese adults currently suffer from hypertension, and the incidence is increasing every year, posing a huge challenge to people’s health as well as the economy.
What is hypertension?
Hypertension is defined as a systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mmHg and/or a diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mmHg that is persistent. There are two categories: those caused by other diseases are called secondary hypertension; those without a clear cause are called primary hypertension, also known as hypertensive disorders, and 90-95% of hypertension falls into this category.
What kind of people are prone to hypertension?
There are several risk factors for hypertension, including age and gender (hypertension in middle age is more common in men, while women are more likely to develop hypertension after menopause), family history, being overweight or obese, not exercising, smoking or second-hand smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, excessive salt intake, stress, etc.
What are the risks of hypertensive disorders?
Hypertensive disorders are the most important intervenable risk factor for premature death. It significantly increases the incidence of coronary heart disease. 50%-70% of patients with coronary heart disease in China have combined hypertension, and the prevalence of coronary heart disease in patients with hypertension is more than four times higher than in those with normal blood pressure. Hypertension is also a major risk factor for stroke, accounting for 35-50% of stroke risk, and studies have shown that even a small reduction in blood pressure (5 to 6 mm Hg systolic, 2 to 3 mm Hg diastolic) can reduce the risk of stroke by 40%. In addition hypertension is also a risk factor for peripheral vascular disease as well as cardiovascular disease such as heart failure, and is strongly associated with cognitive impairment as well as dementia.
What do you have to do if you find hypertension?
Hypertension is usually asymptomatic, and testing blood pressure below 120/80 mmhg every two years and 120-139/80-89 mmhg every year can help with early detection. Early intervention can effectively reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. The treatment of hypertension requires a concerted effort on the part of both the physician as well as the patient. Once hypertension is detected, as a patient you need to.
1. seek early medical attention.
2, you may need to take medication, taking antihypertensive drugs daily can reduce the occurrence of cardiovascular events, it is very important to take antihypertensive drugs precisely as prescribed by the doctor.
Quit smoking: Quitting smoking can assist in lowering blood pressure and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, and can improve your health and self-perception.
4, regular exercise: regular physical activity, according to your interests in the choice of sports, 5-7 days a week, 30-60 minutes of aerobic exercise per day.
5, maintain a healthy weight: If you are overweight or obese, reducing your weight by 5-10% by reducing fat intake and dieting can help reduce your risk.
6. Limit alcohol consumption: no more than 25g of alcohol per day for men and no more than 15g per day for women.
7. limiting salt intake: no more than 6g of sodium chloride per day, and choosing foods with low salt according to food labels.
8. managing stress: reducing stress can help you reduce the risk of heart disease.
9. enjoying stress-relieving activities such as Tai Chi, meditation and dance according to preference
10.Choose foods wisely: choose whole grains, low-fat or skim milk, lean meats, legumes. Increase vegetables and fruits.
What do you have to do before you visit the doctor?
1. Record symptoms of discomfort.
2. High blood pressure itself may not cause discomfort, but can be a risk factor for heart disease. If you have chest pain, tightness or shortness of breath, tell your doctor.
3.Record key personal information: including your own monitored blood pressure records, blood cholesterol levels, chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, family history of high blood pressure, and recent life stress or lifestyle changes.
4. Medication records: Make a list of your medications and record the exact names and dosages of your medications.
5. If possible, ask a family member or friend to accompany you to the appointment: You may not be able to tell the doctor the information you need, and a family member or friend can give you a reminder.
6. Record your questions: When you visit the doctor, the time you have to communicate with him/her is often limited, so record the questions you want to ask to prevent missing them.