China has 245 million people with hypertension! Is your blood pressure okay?

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Source: China News Network

Author: Zhang Ni

Data show that the number of hypertensive patients in China has reached 245 million, and the prevalence of hypertension in adults over 18 years old is about 27.9%. On May 17, World Hypertension Day, it's time to pay attention to our blood pressure!

File photo. Xu Lanqing Photo

The number is huge! China has 245 million people with hypertension

According to the "China Cardiovascular Health and Disease Report 2019" released by the National Cardiovascular Center, the number of current patients with cardiovascular disease in China is 330 million, including 245 million with hypertension.

In addition, there are data showing that the prevalence of hypertension among adults over 18 years of age in China is about 27.9%, while the control rate is very low, at 16.8%.

"Along with the advancement of aging and urbanization in China, people's lifestyle and dietary structure have changed significantly, so the incidence of hypertension is increasing significantly." Yin Dong, deputy director of coronary heart disease five wards of the Department of Cardiology at Fu Wai Hospital, said in an interview with CNN.

However, in contrast, the awareness rate, treatment rate and control rate of hypertension among domestic residents are not satisfactory.

"The awareness rate of the population about hypertension is probably only one-third of the extent, and the treatment rate is only like 25 percent, and the real control is even less." Yin Dong revealed in the interview.

File photo: A student learns CPR with the help of volunteers. Dong Xiaobin photo

What exactly triggers hypertension?

The diagnostic criteria for hypertension are generally defined as a systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mmHg on three non-same day blood pressure measurements without the use of antihypertensive drugs.

Common symptoms of hypertension include headache/dizziness, fatigue, insomnia, and palpitations, etc. However, hypertension develops slowly and is basically asymptomatic in the early stages, and most people find it only during physical examination. Moreover, the severity of hypertension symptoms is not consistent with the level of blood pressure.

So, what exactly triggers hypertension?

Yin Dong told reporters that 90-95% of the causes of hypertension are unclear. Primary hypertension may be related to hereditary factors, environmental factors, diet, mental stress, and too little activity.

Another 5-10% of hypertension has a clear cause. Common causes include kidney disease, some endocrine diseases, such as primary aldosteronism, pheochromocytoma, hyperthyroidism, etc.

Yin Dong also analyzed that having a family history, excessive salt intake, obesity, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and stress are all risk factors for hypertension. In addition, men over 55 years of age and women after menopause are also "high risk" for hypertension in terms of natural course. If you have one or more of these combined risk factors, you are likely to get hypertension.

Photo by Shen Meiping

A high blood pressure is not necessarily hypertension

Experts say that, in general, systolic blood pressure higher than 140mmHg, diastolic blood pressure higher than 90mmHg is hypertension, this time to start some intervention, including lifestyle intervention and drug intervention.

So, how to measure blood pressure is accurate?

Yin Dong introduced, blood pressure monitoring, generally have to sit still for 5 minutes, rest after to measure blood pressure. If it is after exercise, generally rest for half an hour, wait until the breathing and heartbeat is stable and then go to measure, so that the measured blood pressure is reflecting the real situation.

"A high blood pressure does not mean a high blood pressure for sure." Yin Dong explained that some patients to the hospital and medical check-up places inevitably nervous, may cause blood pressure, specifically a term called "white coat hypertension" is said to be the case.

Experts suggest that if you are worried about inaccurate measurements, you can do blood pressure ambulatory monitoring, 24 hours to wear the sphygmomanometer to let it repeatedly to measure, if it is a continuous chronic high blood pressure, repeatedly measured several times have high blood pressure, in order to diagnose hypertension.

File photo Shi Jingjing

Prevention and management of hypertension, you need to pay attention to what?

--Take regular blood pressure measurements

Adults aged 18 and above regularly self-monitor their blood pressure, measure it at least once a year, and pay attention to changes in blood pressure.

People at high risk of hypertension such as overweight or obese, high salt diet, smoking, long-term alcohol consumption, long-term mental stress, insufficient physical activity, and those with normal high blood pressure (120-139/80-89 mmHg), have their blood pressure measured frequently.

China has 245 million people with hypertension! Is your blood pressure okay?

Medical institutions measure blood pressure in patients over 35 years old at the first visit.

Actively promote self-measurement and self-management of blood pressure at home for patients with hypertension. For those with standard and stable blood pressure, self-measurement should be performed once a week; for those with substandard or unstable blood pressure, the frequency of self-measurement should be increased.

Recommend the use of international standards certified by the upper arm type automatic electronic blood pressure monitor.

File photo by Chen Chao

--Prevention is the key

Adhere to exercise: regular physical activity can prevent and control hypertension, such as walking, swimming, tai chi, household chores, etc., the amount of activity should generally reach a medium intensity.

Limit salt intake: A high-salt diet significantly increases the risk of hypertension, and adults should not consume more than 5 grams of salt per day.

Reduce the intake of foods rich in fats and high sugar, use limited cooking oil, and eat more vegetables and fruits.

Eat less fast food: Try to eat at home, which can help control the intake of fat, salt and sugar.

Quit smoking: Smoking is harmful to health, and smokers should quit as soon as possible.

Infographic

--Patients need to take antihypertensive drugs regularly and for a long time

The vast majority of patients need to take antihypertensive drugs for a long time and regularly, and the antihypertensive treatment should meet the target.

Blood pressure targets for antihypertensive treatment: for patients with general hypertension, blood pressure should be lowered to below 140/90 mmHg; patients with combined diabetes or chronic kidney disease should be lowered to below 130/80 mmHg; patients over 80 years old should be lowered to below 150/90 mmHg. Patients with coronary artery disease whose diastolic blood pressure is as low as 60 mmHg should be lowered with caution.

Most hypertension belongs to primary hypertension, which generally cannot be cured and requires long-term medication. Do not blindly believe in illegal advertisements or pseudoscientific propaganda, and do not use health care products, health care physical therapy or dietary therapy to replace antihypertensive drug treatment.

Most hypertension can be controlled, and those with poor control should seek medical attention.