Hypertension
- jessicaaqian
- Sep 27, 2024
- 1 min read
What is Hypertension?

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, refers to blood pressure (BP) that is higher than normal.
For example, if your BP is 120/80, the systolic BP is 120mmHg and the diastolic BP is 80mmHg. You have hypertension if your systolic BP is 140mmHg or more, or your diastolic BP is 90mmHg or more, or both (mmHg is millimetres of mercury, a measure of pressure).
High blood pressure can lead to high risk of suffering from other health problems like heart attack, heart failure, coronary heart disease, kidney failure, peripheral artery disease, and stroke.
Symptoms
Headaches or dizziness may arise when severe, but these symptoms may be due to other problems. Usually, hypertension is not accompanied bysymptoms. Hence, it is important to regularly monitor blood pressure levels.
Risk
Hypertension is a fairly common problem among adults in Singapore. Slightly less than 1 in 4 Singapore residents aged 30 to 69 years have hypertension. The older you are, the more likely you are to have hypertension. In the 60 to 69 years age group, more than 1 in 2 residents are diagnosed with hypertension.

Poor lifestyle habits such as a lack of exercise and unhealthy diets (for example, high salt consumption)
Overweight or obese based on body mass index (BMI)
Suffer from diabetes
Smoking
Suffer from high blood cholesterol
Management

Seek help from a medical professional to discuss personal targets for blood pressure levels
Regularly check blood pressure at home, to better manage your hypertension
Engage in physical activity: Exercise for 150 minutes per week, each time at least 10 minutes
Maintain a healthy weight based on BMI
Have a healthy diet: limit sodium, fat, and cholesterol intake. Increase fibre intake
Limit alcohol intake
No smoking
Manage stress
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Written by: Goh Ting Wei | Designed by: Tan Khai Teng | Edited by: Jonathan Kuek
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