High blood pressure, Hypertension Causes and Risk Factors: alcohol consumption, smoking, obesity | National Heart Centre Singapore
Skip Ribbon Commands
Skip to main content
Menu

High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Management

High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Management - Symptoms

High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Management - How to prevent?

High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Management - Causes and Risk Factors

Risk factors

Your blood pressure can be elevated by alcohol consumption, smoking and obesity. You can reduce your risk of getting high blood pressure by keeping your body mass index (BMI) between 18.5 and 22.9 (see below table).

Body Mass Index (BMI) Classification by Public Health Action in Asians
Body mass index = Weight (kg)/ (Height x Height (m))

​BMI (kg/m2) (for adults)
​Risk of Heart Disease and Diabetes
​27.5 and above
​High Risk
​23.0 - 27.4
​Moderate Risk
​18.5 - 22.9
​Low Risk (healthy range)
​Less than 18.5
​Risk of nutritional deficiency diseases and osteoporosis
Source: Health Promotion Board

Hypertension usually causes no symptoms, but often leads to the damage of various body organs in the long-term. It is for this reason that high blood pressure or hypertension is referred to as “the silent killer”. Over time, it can lead to damage of the heart and blood vessels, leading to stroke, heart attack or renal failure. Occasionally, when the blood pressure is extremely high, headaches, dizziness or alterations in vision can be experienced.

Older people are at a higher risk of developing hypertension. Most of the patients are found to have no cause for the high blood pressure and are categorised as essential hypertension. About 10% of high blood pressure patients have it as a result of kidney diseases or hormonal disorders (secondary hypertension).

High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Management - Diagnosis

High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Management - Treatments

High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Management - Preparing for surgery

High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Management - Post-surgery care

The information provided is not intended as medical advice. Terms of use. Information provided by SingHealth

TOP
Discover articles,videos, and guides afrom Singhealth's resources across the web. These information are collated, making healthy living much easier for everyone.