Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, is a condition where the force of the blood against the walls of the arteries is consistently too high. This leads to damage to your arteries, and thus increases the risk of serious health problems.

There are a variety of different factors that can cause hypertension, including genetics, age, lifestyle choices, and underlying medical conditions. Some of the most common risk factors include:

• Obesity

• Physical inactivity

• Smoking

• High salt intake

• Excessive alcohol

• Stress and anxiety

• Diabetes

• Chronic kidney disease

Hypertension is diagnosed by a blood pressure measurement. However, given the availability of home blood pressure machines, Dr Chia often prefers that multiple measurements are made over a period of time rather than a single in-office measurement.

The blood pressure reading consists of three numbers:

The systolic pressure (the top number)

The diastolic pressure (the bottom number)

The heart rate (the third number, often to one side on blood pressure machines).

There are several ways to treat hypertension, and you may need some or all of the options, which include both lifestyle and medications. Some common lifestyle changes that can help lower your blood pressure include:

Eating a healthy diet

Reducing salt intake

Exercising regularly

Maintaining a healthy weight

Limiting alcohol consumption

Managing stress

If lifestyle changes alone are not enough, then other therapies need to be considered. Dr Chia is an expert in hypertension management and can work with you in finding potential reversible causes of your hypertension, or find the right medication and dosage to effectively control your blood pressure.

Hypertension can have devastating effects on almost all parts of the human body. However, the most common and serious include:

Heart disease

Stroke

Kidney damage

Eye damage

Peripheral artery disease

It is therefore important to take hypertension seriously and work with a doctor to manage your blood pressure and reduce your long term risks of complications