Hypertension is a public health problem that cannot be ignored in our country, according to the data released by the National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, there are now nearly 300 million hypertension patients in the mainland, which is equivalent to nearly a quarter of the total population of the country, and this proportion is still rising year by year.
Despite the prevalence of hypertension, its potential threat to human health should not be underestimated. If high blood pressure is not controlled and treated in time, it can detonate at any time, causing a series of serious complications.
These complications include, but are not limited to, heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, etc., each of which may cause great inconvenience to the patient's life and even threaten life.
Therefore, for the sake of our own health and that of our families, we must face up to the disease of high blood pressure, understand the various harms it may bring, and learn how to control blood pressure correctly.
01
Perception of hypertension
Hypertension, a common chronic disease, is particularly favourable for people who are overweight or obese, over 55 years old, have chronically high blood pressure, or have a family history of high blood pressure.
Once suffering from hypertension, patients are often prone to diseases of key organs such as the heart, brain, eyes, and kidneys, and these complications are like a chain reaction, making the patient's physical condition worse.
In mainland China, up to 70% of strokes and myocardial infarctions are inextricably linked to high blood pressure. Therefore, we should not underestimate the potential effects of high blood pressure on the body. In order to better manage and control high blood pressure, the medical community usually divides patients into three grades based on their blood pressure values.
In the first degree of hypertension, the blood pressure of patients is usually between 140/90 and 159/99mmHg, although the blood pressure at this stage is high, but relatively speaking, the risk is not too high. However, if left unchecked, it can easily deteriorate further.
In the case of secondary hypertension, the patient's blood pressure will rise to between 160/100 and 179/109mmHg, and the risk has increased significantly, which needs to be taken seriously by the patient.
The most serious is grade 3 hypertension, when the patient's blood pressure reaches or exceeds 180/100mmHg, it has already entered the high-risk area.
Patients with high blood pressure at this stage not only experience tremendous stress on various organs of the body, but also may have serious health problems at any time.
Therefore, for adults, once the systolic blood pressure is 140 mmHg or greater, or the diastolic blood pressure is 90 mmHg or greater, hypertension should be diagnosed and treated promptly. Of course, there are exceptions.
02
Is blood pressure above 140/90 high blood pressure? Doctors refute rumors: Many people are misdiagnosed with high blood pressure
In the medical field, the diagnostic criteria for hypertension are usually blood pressure values higher than 140/90 mm Hg. However, this criterion is not absolute, as the increase in blood pressure can be influenced by a variety of factors.
First, blood pressure must be measured without the use of antihypertensive medications. Secondly, in order to ensure the accuracy of the diagnosis, it is necessary to measure it over a period of three days, and at different times of the day, and the diagnosis of hypertension can only be made if the blood pressure value is consistently higher than 140/90 mm Hg.
It's important to note that sometimes the increase in blood pressure may only be temporary, which can be due to a variety of factors. For example, mental stress and physical exertion can cause a temporary increase in blood pressure.
In addition, if the cuff is not properly seated or the posture is not correct when measuring blood pressure, it can also lead to a high result. Therefore, if a measurement above 140/90 mmHg is just one measurement, it is not certain that it is hypertension.
In summary, blood pressure above 140/90 mm Hg does not necessarily mean that you have high blood pressure. In order to make an accurate diagnosis, it is necessary to take multiple measurements over a three-day period and ensure that the measurement process is standardized to rule out other factors that may be causing an increase in blood pressure. Only then can we determine whether the blood pressure is really above the normal range and thus make an accurate diagnosis.
03
If my blood pressure is 140/90 or higher, do I need to take antihypertensive drugs for a long time?
The need to take antihypertensive drugs for a long time depends on the specific situation of the patient. On the one hand, if the patient's blood pressure is stable above 140/90 for a long time and cannot be effectively controlled by lifestyle modifications (such as low-salt diet, moderate exercise, stress reduction, etc.), then long-term use of antihypertensive drugs may be necessary.
On the other hand, long-term antihypertensive medication may not be necessary if the patient's blood pressure rises only occasionally or can be effectively controlled through lifestyle modifications.
In addition, the use of antihypertensive drugs should be guided by a doctor's advice and guidance. The doctor will develop a personalized blood pressure lowering plan according to the specific situation of the patient, such as age, gender, physical condition, comorbidities, etc. Patients should strictly follow the doctor's instructions and should not increase or decrease the dose or stop the drug on their own.
In conclusion, whether a blood pressure above 140/90 requires long-term antihypertensive medication needs to be decided according to the specific situation of the patient and the doctor's advice.
04
Next, let's give you a science popularization, 3 foods that people with high blood pressure should eat less
People with high blood pressure should pay special attention to their eating habits, as poor eating habits often worsen the condition of high blood pressure. Here are three foods that people with high blood pressure should try to eat less or avoid.
Greasy foods
These foods tend to contain a lot of fat and cholesterol, which can form deposits on the lining of blood vessels, leading to narrowing and hardening of blood vessels, which increases the burden on the heart and increases blood pressure.
Therefore, patients with high blood pressure should try to eat less high-fat foods such as fried foods, animal offal, and fatty meats, and should instead eat more light, low-fat, and high-fiber foods, such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, etc.
High-sugar foods
High-sugar foods can cause blood sugar fluctuations, which in turn can cause metabolic disorders within the body and aggravate high blood pressure. In addition, excessive sugar intake can also promote the secretion of insulin in the body, increasing the risk of vasoconstriction, which can aggravate the condition of high blood pressure.
Therefore, patients with high blood pressure should try to avoid high-sugar foods such as candy, cakes, and chocolate, and should choose low-sugar, high-fiber foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, etc.
wine
Alcohol dilates blood vessels, causing blood pressure to drop, but long-term heavy drinking can weaken blood vessels, increasing the burden on the heart and blood pressure fluctuations. In addition, alcohol can also affect the metabolic function of the liver, resulting in abnormal fat metabolism and further aggravating the condition of high blood pressure.
Therefore, people with high blood pressure should try to avoid drinking alcohol, and if they really need to drink, they should also limit the amount of alcohol they drink, choose low-alcohol alcohol, and avoid drinking alcohol on an empty stomach.