HOW IS HYPERTENSION TREATED?
If you are living with Hypertension, it is important to make healthy lifestyle changes
Whether medicine is also recommended depends on your blood pressure reading and your risk of developing problems such as heart attacks or strokes.
Your doctor will carry out some blood and urine tests, and ask questions about your health to determine your risk of other problems:
  1. Blood pressure levels which are consistently ≥140/90mmHg (or 135/85mmHg at home) + your risk of other problems is low → Changes to your lifestyle
  2. Blood pressure levels which are consistently ≥140/90mmHg (or 135/85mmHg at home) + your risk of other problems is high → Changes to your lifestyle + Medication
  3. Blood pressure levels which are consistently ≥160/100mmHg → Changes to your lifestyle + Medication
What are my required Lifestyle Modifications after being diagnosed?
  • Regular home monitoring of blood pressure
  • Maintained a balanced and healthy diet (More fruits, vegetables and whole fibre)
  • Cut down on Salt, Sugar and Fats
  • QUIT Smoking / Tobacco consumption
  • Avoid being physically inactive for long periods of time daily.
  • Have good stress management techniques and coping skills
  • Maintain your ideal BMI (weight)
  • Limit your alcohol consumption
What DIET is best to control my blood pressure?
  1. CONSUME FOOD LOW IN SALT & FAT:
    2.  Food choices: Skimmed milk, more fruits, green vegetables, whole fiber, whole grains. Avoid food such as butter, margarine, fatty meat (lamb, beef) full cream milk and dairy products, fried oily food, fast food, salted snacks. The optimal recommendation for salt in your diet is < 1.5g of sodium a day. Use herbs and spices that do not contain salt in recipes to flavor your food.
  2. CONSUME A BALANCED AMOUNT OF FOOD RICH IN POTASSIUM
    3.
How can I be More Active?
  • Always be sure to check with your doctor before starting your recommended physical activity
  • Start slowly and increase activity gradually. Aim for a regular routine of activity five times a week for 30 to 45 minutes each session.

What can I expect if I am having Hypertension? Earlier into the disease you may not experience much symptoms or changes to your lifestyle. However, it is important to make the necessary lifestyle modifications and to be compliant to your given medication as mentioned to avoid the effects of hypertension from causing more serious complications to your vital organs.

How long will my High Blood Pressure Last? If you have Primary Hypertension then the control will be needed for the rest of your life. However, if you are diagnosed with secondary hypertension, you will most likely need to treat the medical problem that caused it.

What Type of Medications will I need to treat hypertension? Based on your age and underlying existing conditions, above recommended lifestyle modifications, your doctor may add in oral medication to treat your blood pressure level.
These include:
  • Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
    •  - This helps keep your blood vessels from narrowing
  • Beta blockers
    •  - This helps make your heart beat slower and less forcefully. As a result, your heart pumps less blood through your blood vessels.
  • calium channel blockers
    •  - This will regulate the calcium levels in your blood that promote your vessels to relax providing more space for blood to flow.
  • Diuretics
    •  - This will help remove any extra water and salt (sodium) in your blood helping you relieve the swellings and fluid retention in your body