Hypertension
High blood pressure — a common condition often linked to excess weight.
Plain English
Patient-Friendly Explanation
Hypertension means your blood pressure is consistently too high, putting strain on your heart and blood vessels. Losing even 5-10% of body weight can significantly lower blood pressure.
Medical
Clinical Definition
Hypertension is defined as systolic BP ≥ 140 mmHg and/or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg. It is a major modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Weight reduction is a Grade A recommendation in hypertension management guidelines.
Key Insight
Why It Matters
Approximately 1 in 4 Singapore adults has hypertension. Weight loss is often the first-line non-pharmacological treatment recommended by doctors.
Sources
Reviewed against standard medical references.
Medically reviewed by
Family Physician & Registered Acupuncturist, Accord Medical Clinic. MBBS (NUS), Graduate Diploma in Family Medicine (NUS), Graduate Diploma in Acupuncture (Singapore College of TCM).
Last reviewed: August 2026
This page is general health education, not medical advice. Whether any treatment is appropriate for you is a decision made in consultation after assessment.