S1E130: Why a new category for high blood pressure?

Hypertension is a silent killer; check it before it’s too late.

Synopsis: Every first Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

Do you know if you have high blood pressure or what's also known as hypertension? According to the National Population Health Survey 2022, about one in three Singaporeans aged 18 to 74 has hypertension. This condition puts them at risk of heart disease and stroke. However, a significant proportion remains unaware because the symptoms become obvious only when the condition is severe.

Hypertension is present when a person’s blood pressure is at 140/90 mmHg or higher. But a slightly lower reading doesn't reduce the risk. In August 2024, the European Society of Cardiology, an influential society among cardiologists, introduced a new high blood pressure or BP category of 120-139. This implies that even readings in this range are not 'normal' as doctors once thought.

In this episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo talks to Assoc Prof Chin Chee Tang, a cardiologist from the National Heart Centre Singapore, about the new category and what to make of it. They also discuss renal denervation, a procedure that the same society said may be considered for some patients with uncontrolled, drug-resistant high blood pressure.

Highlights (click/tap above):

2:19 Should I be worried about a new category of hypertension?

5:30 How do I manage my blood pressure?

11:39 Monitoring the impact of salt reduction on your blood pressure

13:32 Can high blood pressure be lowered to normal levels?

19:39 Is renal denervation the right procedure for resistant hypertension?

Check out ST's new series, No health without mental health: https://str.sg/mentalhealthmatters

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

Host: Joyce Teo ([email protected])

Produced and edited by: Amirul Karim

Executive producers: Ernest Luis and Lynda Hong

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