Essential Guide for People with Hypertension: Learn About Blood Pressure from Scratch

Hello to all newly diagnosed friends with hypertension and our senior friends!

When you first got your hypertension diagnosis, did you feel confused? "I was fine before, why did I get this? Will I have to take medicine forever?" There’s no need to panic at all. Hypertension is like an old appliance at home—if you learn its "habits" and take good care of it, you can keep it under perfect control.

Today, we’ll break down everything about blood pressure from the very start, using plain, relatable language. No complicated jargon, just practical knowledge you can use right away to answer all your questions.

1. What is Blood Pressure?

Think of your blood vessels like the water pipes in your home, and your heart like the water pump that pushes water through them.

When your heart contracts to pump blood, the pressure the blood puts on your blood vessel walls is your systolic pressure (what we commonly call the "top number"). When your heart relaxes to refill with blood, the pressure your blood vessels maintain with their elasticity is your diastolic pressure (the "bottom number").

Blood pressure’s job is to carry oxygen and nutrients to every organ in your body—just like how water in pipes reaches your kitchen and bathroom.

As long as this pressure stays within the normal range, your brain, heart, and kidneys can work properly.

2. What are Normal Blood Pressure Numbers?

According to the *2024 Chinese Guidelines for the Management of Hypertension*, there are clear standards for normal blood pressure in adults:

• Ideal blood pressure: Systolic < 120 mmHg, Diastolic < 80 mmHg

If your blood pressure is in the high-normal range, don’t stress, but start paying attention to your lifestyle. This is your body’s "warning sign"—making timely adjustments can prevent it from developing into hypertension.

A quick reminder: A single high reading doesn’t mean something is wrong. You need to measure your blood pressure at different times and use the stable, consistent results as a reference.

3. What is Hypertension?

Following the *2024 Chinese Guidelines for the Management of Hypertension*, you can be diagnosed with hypertension if any of the following apply:

• Systolic pressure ≥ 140 mmHg in 3 separate measurements on different days
• You have already been diagnosed with hypertension and are taking medication, even if your blood pressure is now normal

Many people ask: "If my blood pressure hits 150 after I get upset, does that mean I have hypertension?" The answer is no. Emotions, exercise, and staying up late can temporarily raise your blood pressure. Only when your readings are consistently high during multiple calm, relaxed measurements do you have true hypertension.

4. What Harms Can Hypertension Cause?

Hypertension is called the "silent killer" because it may have no obvious early symptoms, but it can quietly damage your organs over time:

• Blood vessel damage: Just like water pipes can age and crack from long-term high pressure, your blood vessels will gradually harden and become brittle, making them prone to plaque buildup and blockages.
• Brain damage: Brittle brain blood vessels can rupture (causing a hemorrhagic stroke) or get blocked by plaque (causing an ischemic stroke).

But don’t worry! Keeping your blood pressure within the normal range can greatly reduce or even completely avoid these harms.

5. Early Warning Signs of Hypertension

While hypertension may have no early symptoms, be sure to check your blood pressure right away if you notice any of these:

• Frequent dizziness or headaches, especially a tight, throbbing feeling at the back of your head, like wearing a too-tight headband.
• Occasional blurred vision or constant ringing in your ears (tinnitus).

These signs don’t always mean you have hypertension, but they are worth taking seriously. Early testing leads to early detection, and early control means less discomfort.

6. What Causes Hypertension?

There are two types of hypertension, each with different causes:

The first is primary hypertension, which accounts for over 90% of all cases. It’s linked to your lifestyle and genetics. For example, if your parents have hypertension, you’re more likely to develop it; eating too much salt, drinking heavily, being inactive, or having belly fat (abdominal obesity) can also gradually raise your blood pressure.

The second is secondary hypertension, which is caused by another underlying health condition, such as kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, or sleep apnea. For this type, your blood pressure may return to normal once the underlying condition is treated.

No matter which type you have, targeted adjustments after finding the cause will help you control your blood pressure.

7. How is Hypertension Diagnosed?

Diagnosing hypertension can’t be done with just one measurement—you need to follow these standard steps:

• Measure in a calm state: Don’t smoke, drink alcohol, or coffee, and don’t do strenuous exercise for 30 minutes before measuring. Sit and rest for 5-10 minutes first.
• Measure 3 times on different days: For example, measure once today, once tomorrow, once the day after, or every 1-2 days. A diagnosis is only made if all 3 readings are above the normal range.
• If possible, get a 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitor: This is a small device you wear that automatically measures your blood pressure over 24 hours. It gives a more accurate picture of your daily blood pressure and helps avoid "white coat hypertension" (when your blood pressure rises just because you’re at the doctor’s office and feel nervous).

Once diagnosed, don’t take medication on your own—always follow your doctor’s advice.

8. Types of Hypertension

Hypertension is divided into 3 levels based on how high your blood pressure is:

• Grade 1 Hypertension: Systolic 140-159 mmHg, or Diastolic 90-99 mmHg
• Grade 3 Hypertension: Systolic ≥ 180 mmHg, or Diastolic ≥ 110 mmHg

There’s also isolated systolic hypertension, which is common in seniors. This means your top number is ≥ 140 mmHg, but your bottom number is < 90 mmHg, caused by reduced blood vessel elasticity. It still needs careful management.

The higher the grade, the more you need to pay attention, but all grades can be controlled with medication and lifestyle changes.

9. Choosing and Using a Blood Pressure Monitor

First, you need to pick the right monitor. Here are two reliable options:

• Upper-arm electronic blood pressure monitor: This is the first choice recommended by hospitals and guidelines. It’s accurate, easy to use, and suitable for most people, especially seniors.
• Smart blood pressure watch: If you find upper-arm monitors a hassle and want to check your blood pressure anytime, a smart watch is a great option. Our BP Doctor series, for example, lets you measure without taking off your clothes—just raise your arm. It also records your data for easy tracking.

Tips for use: Rest your arm at the same height as your heart (you can use a pillow under your arm on a table). Fasten the cuff 2-3 cm above your elbow, tight enough to fit one finger between the cuff and your arm. Don’t talk or cross your legs—stay quiet during the measurement.

10. The Importance of Daily Blood Pressure Monitoring

Many people only check their blood pressure when taking medication after diagnosis, and ignore it the rest of the time—this is a mistake.

Daily monitoring helps you learn: when your blood pressure is high (such as right after waking up), if your medication is working, and if lifestyle changes are improving your blood pressure.

For example, if you’ve started eating less salt and notice your top number drops from 150 to 140, that’s proof your adjustment is working—and it will give you a big confidence boost.

We recommend measuring at fixed times every day, such as right after waking up and before bed. Measure 2-3 times each time, take the average, and write down the results. Bring these notes to your doctor’s appointments to help them adjust your treatment plan.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. It’s okay for seniors to have slightly high blood pressure, right?

No. According to the *2024 Chinese Guidelines for the Management of Hypertension*, seniors aged 65 and over should also aim for blood pressure < 140/90 mmHg. Those in good health can even aim for < 130/80 mmHg, which greatly reduces the risk of stroke and heart attack.

2. Once you start taking hypertension medication, you can never stop?

Not necessarily. If you have early, mild hypertension, you may be able to gradually reduce or stop medication under your doctor’s guidance if your blood pressure stays normal after lifestyle changes (like eating less salt, losing weight, and exercising regularly). However, if you have moderate to severe hypertension or already have organ damage, you’ll need long-term medication. This is like using insulin for diabetes—it’s to protect your body, not a "dependency."

3. If I have no symptoms, I don’t need to take hypertension medication?

Absolutely not. The harms of hypertension build up quietly, and no symptoms don’t mean no damage. Once you’re diagnosed with hypertension and your doctor says you need medication, you must take it on schedule—don’t stop on your own.

4. Are smart blood pressure watches accurate?

Trusted brand smart watches, like our BP Doctor series, are clinically validated. Their results have an acceptable margin of error compared to upper-arm monitors, making them suitable for daily tracking. However, if you need a formal hypertension diagnosis, rely on readings from an upper-arm electronic monitor or your doctor’s office.

5. Can people with hypertension exercise?

Of course! But choose gentle exercises like walking, tai chi, or square dancing. Do 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week—it can lower blood pressure and improve your overall health. Avoid intense exercises like sprinting or weightlifting, which can cause a sudden, dangerous spike in blood pressure.

6. Do hypertension medications have side effects?

All medications can have side effects, but modern hypertension medications are very safe. Most side effects are mild, like occasional dizziness or leg swelling, and not everyone experiences them. Your doctor will choose the medication that’s best for you with the fewest side effects. As long as you take it on schedule and get regular check-ups, you’ll be fine.

Call to Action: Choose the Right Tool to Manage Blood Pressure Easily

Daily monitoring is key to controlling your blood pressure. If you find upper-arm monitors a hassle, try our smart blood pressure watches:

• 【BP Doctor Med 18 Smart Blood Pressure Watch】: https://bpdoctormed.com/products/bp-doctor-med-18-wearable-blood-pressure-smartwatch
• 【BP Doctor Pro 17 Smart Blood Pressure Watch】: https://bpdoctormed.com/products/bp-doctor-pro-17-wearable-blood-pressure-smartwatch

With these smart tools, you don’t have to remember complicated numbers. Just raise your arm to check your blood pressure, making blood pressure management easy and stress-free.

Warm Closing

Friends, hypertension isn’t a terrifying monster—it’s just your body sending you a "health reminder": it’s time to take better care of yourself.

As long as you learn the necessary knowledge, take your medication on schedule, adjust your lifestyle, and stick to regular monitoring, you can live a normal life—traveling, playing with your grandchildren, and doing all the things you love.

If you have more questions, feel free to ask your doctor anytime, or follow our website for more practical hypertension health tips. Wishing you stable blood pressure and good health!