Hypertension is defined as systolic blood pressure (SBP) of 140 mmHg or greater, diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of 90 mmHg or greater, or taking antihypertensive medication.

When do you say that one is hypertensive?

There are three stages of hypertension:

		Sytolic (mmHg)				Diastolic (mmHg)
Stage I		140-159		or		90-99
Stage II		160-179		or		100-109
Stage III		>=180		or		>=110

What are the types of hypertension?

Hypertension falls into two main categories: ESSENTIAL and SECONDARY.

Essential hypertension is diagnosed when there is no identifiable cause for the occurence of hypertension. This is the vast majority of hypertensive patiens and the condition that is most commonly seen, as one grows older.

Secondary hypertension is an increase in the blood pressure as a result of another disease condition. Common disease entities that may cause hypertension include renal artery stenosis, renal failure, pheochromocytoma, adrenal insufficiency.

If I am hypertensive and yet I don't feel anything, can I just leave my blood pressure as is?

Hypertension should never be left untreated even if the patient is asymptomatic. Treatment is always aimed at maintaining the blood pressure at normal levels whether by medication or just by lifestyle modification. Prolonged hypertension, just predisposes to early occurence of complications and even higher incidence of mortality.

Can hypertension be treated?

A hypertensive patient will always remain hypertensive BUT hypertension can be controlled. This is primarily achieved by maintenance medications and lifestyle modification.

What are the complications of hypertension?

The main complication associated with hypertension is generally labelled as TARGET ORGAN DAMAGE.

What is target organ damage?

Target organ damage is a general term used for the complications occuring as a result of uncontrolled hypertension. The organs referred to include the brain, the eyes, the kidneys, and the heart.

BRAIN	Prolonged hypertension predisposes and individual to the occurence of strokes whether by occlusion (ischemic infarct) or by bleed (hemorrhagic infarct)
HEART	Hypertension increases the work needed to be done by the heart to meet the demands of the body. This prolonged increase in the workload of the heart eventually results to enlargement of the heart and predisposes to the occurence ofr heart failure and heart attack.
KIDNEYS	Prolonged hypertension can eventually result to kidney failure, which in the end-stage may necessitate dialysis treatment.
EYES	Hypertension predisposes to development of hypertensive retinopathy with subsequent development of visual problems for the patient.

Is the sublingual intake of Nifedipine enough for maintenance treatment of hypertension?

Contrary to common practice, sublingual intake of antihypertensive drugs is not enough to control hypertension because this provides effectivity for only a few hours. Maintenance medication for hypertension requires that the drug be present in the system for 24 hours to assure effective control of blood pressure. This is achieved by intake of multiple doses of short acting drugs (some Calcium channel blockers, Beta-blockers, Alpha blockers) or single to twice daily doses of long-acting drugs (Calcium channel blockers, ACE-inhibitors, Beta-blockers, Angiotensin receptor blockers among others).

Will medications be enough to treat hypertension?

As repeatedly mentioned, a cornerstone for the treatment of high blood pressure aside from regular intake of anti-hypertensive drugs include lifestyle modification. This primarily refers to watching our diet, having regular exercise, avoid smoking and generally living a healthy lifestyle.

For mild, newly-diagnosed hypertensives, lifestyle modification may be enough to maintain blood pressure at normal levels.

Can I still lead a normal life even if I am a hypertensive?