What is Hypertension?

Hypertension or High Blood Pressure is a condition when your blood pressure is consistently high (systolic blood pressure of 140 mmHg or greater and/or diastolic blood pressure of 90 mmHg or greater).

How do I know whether I have hypertension?

Measure your blood pressure. It can be measured using a sphygmomanometer or ‘BP set’.

What is blood pressure?

Systolic blood pressure is the pressure when your heart contracts. Diastolic blood pressure is the pressure when your heart relaxes. Blood pressure is usually written with two values :

• Upper value indicates systolic pressure
• Lower value indicates diastolic pressure.

If your blood pressure is written 120/80 mmHg, it means that your systolic blood pressure is 120 mmHg and your diastolic blood pressure is 80 mmHg. MmHg is for millimeter Mercury.

Why is it important to measure my blood pressure regularly?

It is important to determine whether you have high blood pressure or not. Hypertension is a silent disease. 61% of Malaysian remain undiagnosed for hypertension.

Control of blood pressure can prevent death from heart attack, stroke, kidney damage and blindness. Heart attack and stroke are among the major causes of death in Malaysia.

Do I have hypertension?

Normal blood pressure is when your systolic blood pressure is less than 130 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure is less than 85 mmHg.

If the systolic blood pressure is persistently elevated of 140 mmHg or greater, and/or diastolic blood pressure of 90 mmHg or greater, you may have hypertension.

When shall I check my blood pressure?

You are advised to check your blood pressure at least once a year, or when you visit the health clinic.

Where can I have my blood pressure checked?

You can check your blood pressure in any government or private clinics and hospitals.

What shall I do if my blood pressure is raised?

Consult your family doctor or nearest health clinic. The doctor will measure your blood pressure several times before concluding whether you have hypertension or not.

How to maintain normal blood pressure?

Practice healthy lifestyle :

• Lose weight if you are overweight.
• Eat Healthily – Reduce salt in your diet. Intake of salt less than 1 ¼ teaspoonful a day is recommended
• Be physically active – Start a regular exercise programme, at least 30 minutes 5 times a week.
• Do not smoke – Stop, if your are smoking.
• Learn to handle stress.

Further information

Clinical Practice Guidelines on the Management of Hypertension, 4th Edition Malaysia, 2013.

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