The Importance of Hypertension Control

Source :	Union Hospital
Published Date :	4/19/2010 12:31:52 PM
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Hypertension is a major risk factor of cardiovascular disease. Even if you are normotensive at 55 years of age, your lifetime risk of developing hypertension is 90%. Early diagnosis and treatment is of utmost importance.

The risks of hypertension begin to rise from blood pressure of 115/75mmHg. For every 20mmHg systolic or 10mmHg diastolic increase in blood pressure, there is a doubling of mortality from both ischemic heart disease and stroke. Hypertensive patients with blood pressure of 175/105mmgHg, their mortality is 7 times that of 115/75mmHg.

The risk of cardiovascular diseases is highly related to hypertension. With each additional risk factor identified, the associated cardiovascular risk multiplies rather than additive. Previous studies have indicated that patients with hypertension, their risk of suffering from myocardial infarctions is 1.9 times that of normal. If a patient suffers from hypertension, diabetic mellitus, hyperlipidaemia, obesity together with a smoking habit, his/her risk of developing myocardial infarction is 68.5 times that of others.

Behavioral modification helps to reduce blood pressure. Weight reduction in obese patients helps blood pressure control i.e. blood pressure of 5-20mmHg could be reduced per 10kg weight loss. Besides, diet with high fiber and low meat, 8-14mmHg could be reduced.

No definite causes of hypertension can be found in majority of patients. However, a few cases of hypertension are related to a definite cause, such as adrenal tumor or other symptoms. For those youngsters aged 20-30, early detection and correction help hypertension control and even a complete cure.

Written by: Dr Lam Chiu Wah, Consultant Cardiologist, Union Hospital
www.union.org