Life Protection
Protect yourself and your loved ones from life's uncertainties with AIA's life insurance and takaful plans.
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{{label}}20 December 2020
Many of you might have heard of hypertension which is better known as high blood pressure. But what exactly is it ? It is a long-term medical condition where your blood pressure which is the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your blood vessels, is consistently too high.
Your blood vessels are flexible – it relaxes and constricts to keep blood flowing smoothly. Due to the heart pumping mechanism, the blood vessels constantly receive forces pushing against the sides of the vessels. Your blood pressure is determined both by the amount of blood your heart pumps and the amount of resistance to blood flow in your arteries. The more blood your heart pumps and the narrower your arteries, the higher your blood pressure.
In the long run, even if you do not feel anything externally, the constant abnormal high blood pressure can lead to the damage of organs such as the kidneys, heart and brain. Fortunately, it can be easily detected and managed properly with help from doctors.
Most people with high blood pressure have no signs or symptoms, even if their blood pressure readings are at dangerously high levels. Those that do will sometimes experience:
A variety of factors can put you at a greater risk for developing high blood pressure and understanding these risks can help you be more aware of how likely you are to develop it.
If your parents or other close blood relatives have high blood pressure, there is an increased chance that you will get it too.
The older you are, the more likely you are to get high blood pressure because as we age, our blood vessels gradually lose some of their elastic quality, which can contribute to increased blood pressure. But there have been recorded cases of high blood pressure afflicting younger people as well.
One of the factors that you can change to improve your odds against high blood pressure is your lifestyle. Unhealthy habits like a diet full of sodium and high cholesterol can strain your heart, clog up your blood vessels and increase blood pressure. Smoking and drinking too much alcohol can cause heart failure, stroke and an irregular heartbeat which affects your blood pressure as well.
While there is no cure for the ailment, using prescribed medications and making lifestyle changes can greatly enhance your quality of life and reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and more. Here are some ways to fight back against high blood pressure:
High blood pressure is a “silent killer” here in Malaysia with roughly 5.8 million Malaysians having high blood pressure. Unfortunately, according to the Ministry of Health, only about 2.2 million get regular treatment. Make sure you go for a medical check up frequently because the best source for information regarding your blood pressure is your doctor. If you’re interested to further protect yourself from critical medical conditions like high blood pressure, it is worth checking out the A-Life Beyond Critical Care plan that covers you from early detection to prevention, and from treatment to recovery. Become an AIA member and join the AIA Vitality programme that guides you to a healthier lifestyle and rewards your health habits with discounts at your favourite stores, gifts and other amazing surprises.
Reference :
http://pendidikanpesakit.myhealth.gov.my/en/high-blood-pressure-isnt-a-big-deal/
https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/changes-you-can-make-to-manage-high-blood-pressure
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/symptoms-causes/syc-20373410
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
https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/risk_factors.htm#:~:text=Unhealthy%20Diet,sodium%20and%20high%20blood%20pressure.
The above articles are intended for informational purposes only. AIA accepts no responsibility for loss, which may arise from reliance on information contained in the articles.