What is hypertension?
Without the use of antihypertensive drugs, there were three instances where the blood pressure values in the consultation room were higher than normal, that is, systolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 140mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 90mmHg, indicating hypertension. The patient had a history of hypertension and is currently using antihypertensive drugs. Although the blood pressure is below 140/90mmHg, it should still be diagnosed as hypertension.
Who is prone to high blood pressure?
1. High salt and high animal fat diet: Animal fat contains more saturated fatty acids, so people who consume more animal fat are more likely to develop hypertension than those who consume vegetable oil and fish oil that contain more unsaturated fatty acids.
2. Middle aged and elderly population: With age, the incidence of hypertension increases.
3. People with mental stress and high concentration at work: People with long-term mental stress and exposure to negative stimuli such as noise are prone to high blood pressure, and those who lack physical exercise, such as drivers, ticket sellers, accountants, are more likely to develop high blood pressure.
4. Drinking and smoking: People who drink more alcohol have an increased incidence of hypertension, which is directly proportional to the amount of alcohol consumed.
5. Genetics: Children of hypertensive patients have a significantly higher probability of developing hypertension compared to parents with normal blood pressure.
6. Drug induced: such as glucocorticoids, licorice preparations, and oral contraceptives.
What are the hazards of hypertension?
Hypertension is the most important risk factor for heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and death. The main hazards are causing cerebral hemorrhage and stroke, as well as coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, ventricular hypertrophy, heart failure, kidney damage, fundus damage, etc. Especially cerebral hemorrhage and myocardial infarction, which are life-threatening complications at all times.
How to prevent hypertension?
Firstly, one should persist in exercising and choose activities that are systemic, rhythmic, easy to relax, and convenient for comprehensive monitoring, such as qigong, tai chi, medical gymnastics, walking, fitness running, aerobic dance, swimming, recreational ball games, outings, fishing, etc; The benefits of moderate exercise: 1. Enhancing heart and lung function, and improving cardiovascular health; 2. Strengthen bones, improve joint function, and prevent osteoporosis; Maintain a healthy weight (lose weight); 4. Lower blood pressure, blood sugar, and blood lipids; 5. Enjoy the mood and improve sleep.
Next is a reasonable diet, limiting salt intake, and the total amount of salt should not exceed 5 grams per day; Avoid drinking strong tea and coffee, and eat less spicy food; It is advisable to eat more coarse and miscellaneous grains as staple food, and less refined rice and flour; Avoid consuming high calorie, high-fat, and high cholesterol "three high" foods; Eat more fresh vegetables and fruits rich in vitamins and fiber, as well as foods rich in potassium.
Third, quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption. Baijiu should not exceed 1 liang/day, and red wine should not exceed 2 liang/day.
Finally, it is important to maintain an optimistic attitude, stabilize emotions, suppress physical and mental tension, and eliminate anxiety.
Common Misconceptions of Hypertensive Patients:
① Can I skip treatment if my body has no symptoms? The height of blood pressure is related to complications, but not necessarily related to the patient's own symptoms. Even without symptoms, the damage of hypertension to patients' organs persists. Timely treatment is necessary, and early treatment is necessary.
② Once diagnosed with hypertension, is it necessary to treat it? Once diagnosed, it is recommended that all hypertensive patients initiate medication treatment immediately in addition to lifestyle interventions. Only hypertension patients with systolic blood pressure<160mmHg and diastolic blood pressure<100mmHg and without coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke, peripheral atherosclerosis, kidney disease or diabetes, doctors can also suspend drug administration according to the condition and the patient's wishes, and use simple lifestyle intervention for up to three months. If not, drug treatment can be started again.
③ Can I choose antihypertensive drugs at will? Antihypertensive drugs are not OCT drugs, they are prescription drugs. It is not recommended for patients to purchase drugs on their own, and individualized medication must be emphasized.
④ Once you take antihypertensive medication, you can't stop it? Hypertension is a lifelong disease that requires lifelong medication control.
⑤ Is it better to lower blood pressure as quickly as possible or as low as possible? Except for hypertension emergencies, antihypertensive treatment should be carried out slowly and should not be rushed. The target value should be achieved within 4-12 weeks after medication. If blood pressure drops too quickly or too low, it can easily cause stroke, especially in the elderly, who should avoid sudden changes from high blood pressure to low blood pressure.
⑥ Can medication be stopped when blood pressure drops to the normal range? The method of taking medication when blood pressure is high and stopping medication when blood pressure drops can cause blood pressure to always fluctuate, and complications such as myocardial infarction and cerebral infarction occur during blood pressure fluctuations.
⑦ Will antihypertensive drugs develop resistance or adverse reactions? Any medication has side effects, and compared to the harm of hypertension, the side effects of antihypertensive drugs are minimal.
⑧ Can health supplements also lower blood pressure? In recent years, there have been more and more health products, such as blood pressure reducing pillows, mattresses, massagers, etc. The blood pressure reducing effect of health products has not been scientifically verified, and even if there is no harm, it is easy to delay the treatment of hypertension.
⑨ Measuring blood pressure with an electronic blood pressure monitor at home is lower than measuring blood pressure in a hospital clinic. Is it possible that the electronic blood pressure monitor at home is inaccurate? As long as the purchased electronic blood pressure monitor has been verified by international standards (please carefully read the instructions when purchasing), its accuracy can be trusted. With the correct method of measuring blood pressure, the blood pressure measured by yourself can better reflect your true blood pressure than the value measured by a doctor.
⑩ Is taking antihypertensive medication equivalent to getting universal insurance? Many male patients think that as long as they take antihypertensive drugs regularly for a long time, they are covered by universal insurance, but they do not pay attention to a healthy lifestyle, which is not right. If bad habits such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and high salt diet are not controlled, they can continue to damage blood vessels. Drug therapy should be based on a healthy lifestyle, actively controlling and correcting bad habits such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and high salt diet, which can have an auxiliary effect on the therapeutic effect of drugs.