Hypertension is often referred to as the "silent killer", and most patients develop it without any symptoms. Prolonged exposure of blood vessel walls to higher than normal pressure can lead to moderate to severe diseases such as coronary heart disease and stroke.
Professor Zhang Fengru from the Department of Cardiology at Ruijin Hospital affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine stated in an interview with reporters on the 20th that the fundamental goal of hypertension treatment is to reduce the overall risk of cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, renal, and vascular complications and death. Hypotension treatment is to effectively prevent or delay the occurrence of complications such as stroke, myocardial infarction, heart failure, and renal insufficiency by lowering blood pressure.
Hypertension refers to the sustained pressure on the blood vessel wall caused by the flow of blood in the blood vessels, which is higher than the normal value. Zhang Fengru pointed out that hypertension is one of the most dangerous factors of cardiovascular disease, which can cause damage to heart, kidney, brain and other organs, and cause cerebral hemorrhage, heart failure, renal failure, coronary heart disease, diabetes, ischemic stroke and other diseases.
Zhang Fengru emphasized that patients with hypertension should be cautious of having a fast heart rate. Increased heart rate is one of the common clinical manifestations of hypertension and an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. "A significant increase in heart rate can cause an increase in oxygen consumption, leading to an increase in the burden on the heart. Due to the hyperactivity of the sympathetic nervous system, the increase in heart rate can also lead to the secretion of catecholamines by the human body, resulting in arrhythmia." This expert explained that paying attention to heart rate management and control in hypertensive patients can reduce the occurrence of malignant events such as sudden death, myocardial infarction, and stroke. The expert told reporters that therefore, hypertensive patients should pay attention to the stability of their heart rate while lowering blood pressure. Generally, the blood pressure of hypertensive patients should drop to<140/90 mmHg, and their heart rate should remain stable at 60-80 beats per minute for a long time.
In China, although there are many hypertensive patients, many of them do not have the awareness of meeting heart rate standards, and medication management faces many pain points. Many patients are prone to errors such as forgetting or omitting medication, incorrect usage and dosage, unauthorized discontinuation and change of medication, and failure to take medication despite treatment. This can lead to significant fluctuations in blood pressure, increased heart rate, and damage to multiple organs such as the heart, kidneys, and brain, causing cardiovascular diseases such as cerebral hemorrhage, heart failure, renal failure, coronary heart disease, and even endangering life. Zhang Fengru emphasized that hypertensive patients need to develop good habits of "long-term and safe medication" to reduce the overall risk of cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, renal, and vascular complications and death. In addition, during the medication process, patients can also do a good job in self-management of their diseases by scanning the medication box to access drug information, understanding disease popularization information, and setting medication reminders.
It is reported that once diagnosed with hypertension, patients should pay attention to receiving formal treatment. Zhang Fengru stated that some patients with mild conditions can receive non pharmacological treatment. Including: controlling diet, increasing exercise, quitting smoking, losing weight, etc. Some patients can regain normal blood pressure through active control. However, the vast majority of hypertensive patients cannot achieve blood pressure standards through simple non pharmacological treatment and must receive medication treatment.
For these patients, Zhang Fengru stated that following medical advice and following up on time are very important. She hopes that patients will not mix and take medication without medical advice. This expert explains that different types of hypertension drugs have different mechanisms of action; Its effects on lowering blood pressure and adjusting heart rate are also different. Some drugs can lower heart rate while lowering blood pressure; Some drugs have little effect on heart rate; Some drugs can cause a reflexive increase in heart rate while lowering blood pressure. She emphasized, "Therefore, personalized treatment is needed for hypertension.".
