| Hypertension is the medical term for high blood pressure. |
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| Definition |
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| Normal blood pressure |
< 120/80 mm Hg |
| Borderline (high normal) blood pressure |
121-139/ 81-89 mm Hg |
| High blood pressure |
> 140/90 mm Hg |
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| How common is hypertension in Singapore? |
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| According to the latest National Health Survey in 2010, it affects approximately 24% of all adults aged 18-69 years old, 26% of all males and 21% of all females, 28% of Malays, 23% of Chinese and 19% of Indians. |
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| White Coat Syndrome |
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| This is diagnosed when blood pressure in the clinic is high, but once outside of the clinic, all readings are normal. In order to prove that this is the case, a 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure test is necessary. This is important because people with white coat syndrome do not need medication. |
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| Masked hypertension |
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| This is the opposite of white coat syndrome. Blood pressure readings in the clinic are normal but high at home. Once again, this can only be diagnosed by doing a 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure test.
Masked hypertension is dangerous because when it is undetected and untreated, it leads to the same complications as hypertension or high blood pressure, such as enlargement of the heart, stroke and kidney damage. |
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| Conditions often associated with hypertension |
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| Obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, kidney failure, sleep apnea, physical inactivity, smoking, thyroid and adrenal problems, Type A personality, stress. |
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| Treatment |
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- Correction of underlying cause
- Weight reduction
- Diet and exercise
- Medication
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