Adults with blood pressure ≥140 mmHg and/or 90 mmHg are considered hypertensive, regardless of age. The prevalence of hypertension in Chinese adults is as high as 25.2%, with 270 million hypertensive patients nationwide, making it the chronic disease with the highest prevalence. Hypertension is the most important risk factor for heart attack, cerebral infarction and kidney failure. According to statistics, 2 million people die of hypertension-related diseases every year. Moreover, more than 60% of patients with coronary heart disease, more than 80% of patients with cerebral infarction and 90% of patients with cerebral hemorrhage have a history of hypertension. It can be said that hypertension is the most important “killer” of human health. Therefore, it is very important to correctly recognize hypertension and strictly control blood pressure. So, when to start antihypertensive treatment? What is the goal of blood pressure reduction? When to start antihypertensive treatment? For hypertensive patients ≥60 years old, if the systolic blood pressure is ≥150mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure is ≥90mmHg, drug treatment can be initiated; ② For hypertensive patients <60 years old, if the systolic blood pressure is ≥140mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure is ≥90mmHg, drug treatment can be initiated. What is the target for blood pressure reduction? For hypertensive patients ≥60 years of age, the target values for blood pressure lowering are systolic blood pressure <150 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure <90 mmHg. Of course, there are still different opinions on the target values for blood pressure lowering in patients with diabetes mellitus and nephropathy, and the general trend is that the target values for blood pressure lowering in these two groups of patients should be more stringent. The general trend is that these two groups of patients should be more stringent. The occurrence of hypertension is related to heredity and unhealthy lifestyle. To control hypertension, lifestyle should be improved in addition to drug therapy, but drug therapy is undoubtedly the main measure. The starting medication for hypertension includes ACEI-type (Prilosec) drugs, ARB-type (sartan-type) drugs, CCB-type (diphenhydramine-type), thiazide diuretics, beta-blockers and so on. High blood pressure medication, 10 mistakes Myth 1: If you don't feel it, you don't have a problem Blood pressure will feel headache, dizziness, ringing in the ears, insomnia and so on after the elevation of blood pressure. But some people do not feel anything, which is like warm water boiling frog, slowly elevated instead of uncomfortable. No feeling is not the same as no harm, when a heart attack, brain infarction, brain hemorrhage feel, it may have been too late. Therefore, blood pressure is elevated, no matter whether there is no feeling should be medication. Myth 2: antihypertensive drugs can not be eaten casually, once eaten can not be cut off antihypertensive drugs are not addictive drugs, there is no dependence, can be stopped at any time. The problem is that you can't stop, once you stop, your blood pressure will rise again. Hypertension is a lifelong disease that requires lifelong medication control. In this way, it is not the medicine that is dependent, but the hypertension that is "dependent". Of course, in the early stages of hypertension without a family history, by improving lifestyle, blood pressure can return to normal, can not use drugs. Otherwise, it should be treated with medication. Myth 3: You can't start with a good drug You can't start with a high level antimicrobial because once it's resistant, there's nothing else you can use to treat the infection. This is due to the fact that bacteria have the ability to fight against drugs. Antihypertensive drugs act not on bacteria, but on receptors, and will not appear similar to antimicrobial resistance. The so-called good drugs, not only good antihypertensive effect, side effects are small, but also on the heart, brain, kidneys and other organs of the protective effect. So choose antihypertensive drugs, which is good, choose which, and start with good drugs. Myth 4: high blood pressure to take drugs, blood pressure is normal on stopping medication After the use of drugs, blood pressure is normal, is the result of the role of drugs, is the balance of the drug control, after stopping the balance is broken, blood pressure will rise again; high with drugs, normal on stopping drugs. This pattern of medication on demand will lead to blood pressure is always in fluctuation, and heart attack, cerebral infarction and other complications are in the blood pressure fluctuations occur. Myth 5: The lower the blood pressure, the better Systolic blood pressure is best maintained between 110-140mmHg, too high or too low, complications and mortality will increase, which is the famous antihypertensive treatment of the J curve. By the same token, diastolic blood pressure is best maintained between 70-90mmHg. Myth #6: When you notice an increase in blood pressure, you need to bring it down to normal quickly Blood pressure rises gradually, and blood pressure reduction should be gradual. Except for emergencies such as hypertensive crises, rapid and drastic lowering of blood pressure is not recommended, as it may cause unexpected conditions such as inadequate cerebral perfusion. For hypertensive emergencies, a slow reduction of blood pressure to 160/100 mmHg within 24 to 48 hours is sufficient and usually does not require intravenous medication. The common clinical use of sublingual emergency hypotension with cardioplegia (nifedipine) is now considered inappropriate. In addition to lowering blood pressure too quickly, it can also cause sympathetic excitation and induce cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease. Myth 7: Antihypertensive drugs should be replaced every few years If the correct choice of antihypertensive drugs, blood pressure control is very good, and there are no side effects, you should continue to use it, do not recommend regular change of drugs. Unless a new variety is on the market, and the new drug has a great advantage in terms of efficacy and side effects, you can consider changing the drug. Myth 8: Antihypertensive drugs have side effects Any drug has side effects, including antihypertensive drugs. However, FDA-approved originator drugs (imported drugs) are relatively very safe. If the medication is used as directed, the side effects will be mild. Don't choke on the side effects of antihypertensive drugs, which are minimal compared to the dangers of high blood pressure. Myth 9: Antihypertensive drugs hurt the kidneys This is a long-standing and very persistent claim, and the word "kidneys" here also implies the meaning of male sexual function. Sartan class, Prilosec, diphenhydramine class antihypertensive drugs by lowering blood pressure has the role of protecting the kidney, especially the first two types of drugs is the first choice of chronic kidney disease medication, and has the role of improving sexual function. Arteriosclerosis caused by hypertension is the main cause of erectile dysfunction in men, lowering blood pressure and treating arteriosclerosis are also the main measures to treat male sexual dysfunction. In short, it is high blood pressure that hurts the kidneys, not antihypertensive drugs. Myth 10: health care products can also lower blood pressure In recent years, more and more antihypertensive health care products, such as antihypertensive pillows, antihypertensive watches, antihypertensive caps, antihypertensive insoles, etc., which are claimed to have a good antihypertensive effect, but the results are not so. The antihypertensive efficacy of health products has not been scientifically and clinically certified at all, and the use of such health products to lower blood pressure will delay the treatment of hypertension even if the health products are not harmful.