Hypertension

        Hypertension is a condition of chronic elevation of blood pressure. A blood pressure 140/90 is consider to be hypertensive.

Type of hypertension

        1. Unknown cause (essential hypertension)
        2. With known cause (secondary hypertension)

Cause

        1. 90-95% of hypertension is of essential type and may be due to gender factor.  The risk factors for secondary hypertension are excessive salt intake, excessive weight gain, stress, lack of exercise, smoking, alcohol consumption.  For essential hypertension, patient will need regular treatment all their life in order to prevent complications.

        2. 5-10% of secondary hypertension are due to chronic kidney disease, atherosclerosis, disease of adrenal bland, during pregnancy, some type of medication such as steroid.  Once the cause is controlled, high blood pressure will be better or resolved.

Sign and Symptoms

        Majority of patients are asymptomatic.  Usually found during an examination.  The possible symptoms are
        - headache, usually at the back of the head, in the morning.
        - blurred vision, vertigo, dizziness
        - nose bleed
        - weak, tired easily

Treatment

        1. By lifestyle modification.  Healthy diet, avoid alcohol consumption and smoking, regular exercise.
        2. By antihypertensive medication.

Complications

        If undiagnosed of inadequately control leads to hardening of the artery and occlusion, causing damage to the organs.

        1.  Heart: cause coronary artery heart disease, heart muscle damage leading to infection, or acute heart attack.
        2. Brain: cause area of brain death, rupture of artery leading to paralysis of death.
        3. Kidney: cause kidney failure, leading to blood poisoning and death.
        4. Eye: cause deterioration of vision, blurring and blindness.

Recommendation for Hypertensive patient

        1. Take medications ordered by the doctor regularly.  Do not change the dose or stop the medication by yourself.
        2. Foods to be avoided
            - high salt (sodium) content.
            - fish sauce, monosodium glutamate, sodium bicarbonate.
            - pickled or cured food such as fermented soy bean, can food, salt cured fish.
            - commercial processed meat such as sausage, bacon, ham, salt preserved egg, instant noodle products.
            - animal fat, palm and coconut oil.
        3. Have regular exercise according to your physical condition.  Such as walking, yoga, swimming, biking or weight training.
        4. Dietary control to reduce an overweight.
        5. Take blood pressure regularly.
        6. Avoid smoking, alcohol consumption.
        7. Have enough rest, reduce stress, and be joyful.
        8. Keep your appointment.

Signs and symptoms needed urgent medical attention.

        1. Server headache
        2. Blurred vision
        3. Weakness of limp
        4. Slurred speech
        5. Swelling of feet
        6. Shortness of breath
        7. Chest pain
        8. Episodes of passing out