High blood pressure (Hypertension) It is one of the chronic non-communicable diseases. (Non-communicable diseases or NCDs) which are considered important public health problems that the world continues to face without any signs of decreasing. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that the number of people suffering from this condition has increased from 594 million in 1975 to 1.13 trillion in 2015, with nearly half not knowing they have the condition. This is because in the early stages of this disease there will be no symptoms until it is described as “The Silent Killer”.

date17 May every yeararranged asWorld Hypertension DayBy the World Hypertension League (World Hypertension League) and the International Hypertension Association. (International Society of Hypertension) BDMS Wellness Clinic is aware of the importance of this day. Therefore, I would like to point out the risk factors that result in high blood pressure. Including guidelines for preventing disease in the future.

Risk of developing high blood pressure Can be classified into 2 types:

1. Internal factors or risk factors that cannot be modified Because it is something that has been with us since birth, including age, gender, race, having a family history of chronic non-communicable diseases, and genetics, etc.
2. External factors or risk factors that can be modified It is caused by the behavior or lifestyle of each individual, which is as follows.

Are obese or overweight

Have a body mass index or BMI of more than 24.9 kg/m2 and a waist circumference of more than 80 cm in females and 90 cm in males, or have fat mass of more than 30 - 35% in women and more than 20 - 25% in men, because increased body weight causes the heart and circulatory system to have to work harder.

Have a poor eating pattern

Especially frequently eating foods high in sodium, saturated fat, trans fat, and sugar. Including the lack of eating vegetables and fruits.

have little physical activity or not exercising

There is an activity of sitting and lying down for a long time without moving. or not exercising at all Because of regular physical activity Helps control body weight, reduces stress, and lowers blood pressure levels.

Likes to smoke cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and inhale cigarette smoke from others (Secondhand smoker)

The nicotine in cigarettes stimulates the sympathetic nervous system. Resulting in a sudden increase in blood pressure in a short period of time. and causing damage to the arteries

Drink alcohol regularly

Regular heavy drinking of alcohol Increase many health risks Make blood pressure rise Arrhythmia, heart failure, and stroke.

have chronic stress

Excessive stress not only increases blood pressure levels. But it also causes other bad behaviors to follow, such as eating bad food. not exercising and drinking more alcohol or smoking

not sleeping well

not getting enough sleep Including people with sleep problems (such as insomnia Sleep apnea) is associated with treatment-resistant high blood pressure (Resistant Hypertension).

When initially knowing the risk factors that cause high blood pressure This will give us enough knowledge of ways to prevent this disease. which can be summarized as follows

Guidelines for preventing high blood pressure

• Avoid sweet, fatty, and salty foods by reducing the use of condiments. Avoid processed foods and processed meats.
• Increase the intake of fruits and vegetables at every meal.
• Avoid drinking alcohol.
• avoid smoking or inhaling cigarette smoke
• Weight control and waist circumference within reasonable limits
• Have physical activity or exercise regularly
• Manage stress Make your mind clear and relaxed.
• Get enough sleep, 7 - 9 hours a day.
• Regularly check your blood pressure. and annual health check

Although some risk factors for high blood pressure cannot be changed, However, we can adjust our behavior in life. To prevent this disease from developing. So on World Hypertension Day We would like to take this opportunity to promote the importance of changing your lifestyle. Because this is the key to helping everyone have good health.

With best wishes fromBDMS Wellness Clinic

LINE: @bdmswellnessclinic or https://lin.ee/Z4So1yQ

Reference list

• WHO. Hypertension [Internet]. Geneva: World Health Organisation; 2021 [cited 2022 Jan 23]. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hypertension
• Wichai Ekpalakrom Thahaichanok Pakcharoen, Waraporn Satiannoppakao, editors. Survey of health of Thai people by physical examination No. 6, 2019 - 2020.
• American Heart Association. Know Your Risk Factors for High Blood Pressure [Internet]. Dallas, TX: American Heart Association; 2017 [updated 2017 Dec 31 cited 2023 Jan 27]. Available from: https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/why-high-blood-pressure-is-a-silent-killer/know-your-risk-factors-for-high-blood-pressure 
• Unger T, Borghi C, Charchar F, Khan NA, Poulter NR, Prabhakaran D, et al. 2020 International Society of Hypertension Global Hypertension Practice Guidelines. Hypertension. 2020;75(6):1334-57.
• Lan R, Bulsara MK, Pant PD, Wallace HJ. Relationship between cigarette smoking and blood pressure in adults in Nepal: A population-based cross-sectional study. PLOS Global Public Health. 2021 Nov 9;1(11):e0000045.