20 frequently asked questions about high blood pressure

What is the significance of the difference between maximum blood pressure values ​​(systolic blood pressure) and minimal (diastolic blood pressure)? The difference in values ​​between systolic and diastolic blood pressure is called vascular pressure.

For example, if the resting blood pressure has a value of 120/80 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg), the pressure in the circuit is 40 ie the difference between 120 and 80. Some diseases can increase vascular pressure, wallet Such as aortic valve disease, severe anemia and thyroid hyperthyroidism.

High blood pressure is more likely to occur in people who are aggressive (Photo: Ykhoa). But the most important cause of increased pressure is the sclerosis and aortic arteries, the body's largest artery. The disease can be caused by high blood pressure or fatty plaque on the walls of the arteries (causing atherosclerosis). The greater the difference between the systolic blood pressure value and the diastolic blood pressure value, the more likely it is that the arterial wall has stiffened and damaged. There is evidence that vascular pressure may be a good indicator of heart condition, especially in the elderly.

But systolic blood pressure is the best signaling indicator for people over 50. For people over 60, pulse pressure above 60 mm Hg is abnormal. Treatment of hypertension can often reduce vascular pressure.

Being healthy doesn't need to care about blood pressure?

High blood pressure is characterized by no signs or symptoms, so it is called a silent killer. It is not enough to just rely on a healthy feeling to see if you have normal blood pressure. The only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to have your blood pressure checked. Many industrialized countries have high blood pressure rates of nearly one third of the population, with at least 65 million people in the United States having high blood pressure.

Are only elderly people worried about high blood pressure?

Although older people are at greater risk of hypertension, they are not the only subjects; Even children can have high blood pressure. Do not assume that young people do not need to periodically check blood pressure or need to change lifestyle such as quitting smoking or maintaining a healthy weight. Anyone can have high blood pressure.

If you don't eat salty, don't worry about high blood pressure?

Eating less salt is an important part of controlling blood pressure. Termites need to eat less than 2.4 g of salt per day, equivalent to one teaspoon. The amount of salt is for the whole day, not the amount of extra food at meal. Canned food and other processed foods are often high in salt. So if you read the food label to know the amount of salt, you'll be surprised that you've eaten too much.

High blood pressure occurs only in stressful and stressful lives.

Anyone can have high blood pressure regardless of personality. If you have a life that is always in dispute, stress and anxiety do not necessarily mean you will have high blood pressure. On the contrary, even if you are always carefree and calm, you will not be immune to the disease.

Controlling stress is still an important factor because stressful circumstances can temporarily increase blood pressure; Over time, continuous stresses that occur or with high blood pressure will damage the arteries, the heart, brain, kidneys and eyes.

What are the consequences of untreated hypertension?

Need to measure blood pressure regularly (Photo: VNN)

The arterial wall under pressure due to high blood pressure can seriously damage many vital organs of the body.

In general, the higher the blood pressure or the longer the uncontrolled, the greater the damage. If you do not know your blood pressure, you need to be checked by a physician. Being aware of blood pressure and knowing what to do if you have high blood pressure will help prevent serious complications caused by high blood pressure such as stroke, heart failure, heart attack, kidney failure, blind.

The main cause of high blood pressure?

Lifestyle factors such as smoking, stress . can contribute to high blood pressure, but for most people, high blood pressure is unknown. Some factors that contribute to hypertension are uncontrollable such as age, race, family history but can control many other risk factors such as obesity, tobacco and alcohol use, eat salty or sedentary.

If you are an adult and have no history of high blood pressure, how often should you have your blood pressure checked?

If the blood pressure is normal, less than 120/80 mmHg, then blood pressure should be checked at least every 2 years or each time the doctor folds by appointment. If you have a history of high blood pressure or if you have a disease such as diabetes, heart disease, or kidney disease, you need to be checked more often.

If blood pressure is always good when measuring at home, but is it always high to measure at the office or hospital?

It may be due to the white robe syndrome, which is a temporary increase in blood pressure when you see a doctor with a worried mood. Physicians will help determine if hypertension occurs only when you have a medical examination or a real high blood pressure. Although blood pressure is normal when measured at home, it is still advisable to check it more often and still follow the blood pressure control regime such as diet changes, quit smoking, alcohol restriction, exercise and stress reduction practices. .

Which population group is most at risk of high blood pressure?

Blacks or African Americans are the most at-risk population with high blood pressure; They are prone to being young and their average blood pressure is also higher than other ethnic groups. High blood pressure is also often severe and progresses faster in black people.

If high blood pressure often falls in family members, will you also have high blood pressure?

High blood pressure is a disease that can be avoided even if it circulates in the family. Hypertension can often be prevented by the following measures: maintaining a healthy weight; always have an active lifestyle; eat lots of fruits and vegetables; reduce salt intake; restrict alcohol or remove it completely. If high blood pressure is circulated in the family, there should be preventive steps to prevent high blood pressure from now on; consult your physician about what to do to reduce your risk.

If your blood pressure is below 149/90 mmHg, don't worry about high blood pressure?

Guidelines for managing hypertension have changed since spring 2003 and have proposed new values ​​for normal blood pressure. Blood pressure below 140/90 has been approved but today if blood pressure is above 120/80 but less than 140/90, it is still considered prehypertension, meaning that high blood pressure can still become a problem if not treated to reduce. Normal blood pressure needs to be below 120/80.

Medicine is all that is needed to treat high blood pressure?

Do not assume that only drugs can reduce high blood pressure. Lifestyle changes are also important, such as a diet high in vegetables, daily walks and no smoking. Lifestyle changes can also make drugs more effective and can sometimes lower blood pressure enough to reduce the daily dose.

Is salt replacement a safe way to reduce salt intake?

There are many salt substitutes that still have sodium chloride. If you use a lot of salt substitutes to make it easier to eat, you will need to eat more salt than you need. Another potential problem: potassium chloride is an additive commonly used in table salt; If too much potassium can cause damage if there is a kidney problem.

So it is necessary to consult a physician before using salt substitutes. Instead of using salt substitutes, try using herbs such as basil, herbs, dried chillies . to eat deliciously without increasing blood pressure.

What kind of food contains the least salt?

You will be surprised at the amount of salt hidden in some commonly used foods. So read the label on some foods. Do not use more than 2300mg of salt per day, equivalent to a teaspoon. If you have high blood pressure, you need to reduce your daily salt intake. When a label labeled salt-free or sodium-free means there is still less than 5mg sodium per serving.

If you want to try lowering your blood pressure, which type of diet is best?

This type of diet with lots of fruits and vegetables as well as low-fat dairy products can help lower blood pressure, but having to eat it for 2 weeks will work. A diet called DASH consists of low fat and cholesterol foods; Whole grain products, fish, poultry and reduce red meat, candy and sweet drinks.

To reduce blood pressure, need to be physically active for at least an hour every day?

At least 30 minutes of moderate exercise daily or 5 days a week can help prevent or control high blood pressure. If it is too busy, divide it into 10 minutes each time. Or leave cars away from agencies; Get off the bus before a few stops to walk; half an hour cleaning the car, working in the garden . is also helpful.

If you are overweight, how many kilograms will you need to reduce your blood pressure? About 4.5kg is usually enough to make changes in blood pressure. Need to achieve a healthy body mass index. So the doctor will tell you how many kilos to reduce and how best to achieve weight loss.

Do oral contraceptives increase blood pressure?

Contraceptives often cause a slight increase in blood pressure but not enough to raise blood pressure above normal levels. The risk of developing high blood pressure is higher if women take oral contraceptives so doctors often ask women to check blood pressure every 6 months. Women will also be at greater risk of having high blood pressure if they are 35 or older and smoke cigarettes when taking birth control pills.

How to make sure there are correct values ​​when measuring blood pressure?

Because blood pressure is influenced by living habits and activities, the following conditions are needed to ensure blood pressure has the right value. Eating, drinking, caffeinated drinks, smoking and bladder are all likely to change blood pressure values. Tell your doctor about other activities that may affect your blood pressure.

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