Definition of Hypertension

A condition that occurs when the pressure in the arteries is consistently above the normal range for that specific age group
If the Blood Pressure reading is consistently equal to or higher than 140 systolic and 90 diastolic or both in adults older than 18 years, then the doctor will give a diagnosis of high blood pressure or hypertension

Classification of Hypertension in Malaysia

Classification of blood pressure for adults aged 18 and older and the prevalence


Category..........Systolic(mmHg).......Diastolic(mmHg).......Prevalence in Malaysia


Optimal..............<120...................<80......................32%

Prehypertension......120-139................80-89....................37%

Hypertension

Stage 1...............140-159...............90-99....................20%

Stage 2...............160-179..............100-109....................8%
Stage 3.................180...................110.....................4%


When SBP and DBP fall into different categories, the higher category should be selected to classify the individual’s BP.

Divided into primary/essential hypertension (90%) where there is no identifiable cause and secondary hypertension (10%) where a cause can be determined (e.g. renal disease, endocrine illness, coarctation of the aorta, renovascular disease and drugs)

Prevalence and incidence

Malaysia:-

The prevalence of hypertension amongst those aged 30 years has increased from 32.9% in 1996 to 40.5% in 2004
Estimated that there are 4.8 million individuals with hypertension
Close to two thirds of individuals with hypertension were unaware that they have hypertension (Third National Health and Morbidity Survey of 2006)

The estimated figure worldwide is 1 billion individuals

America:-

High blood pressure was a primary or contributing cause of death for 326,000 Americans in 2006
About one out of three U.S. adults—31.3%—has high blood pressure
High blood pressure was listed as a primary or contributing cause of death for 326,000 Americans in 2006