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Have you ever had your blood pressure checked and wondered why those numbers are often high? High blood pressure, or hypertension, is one of the most common but serious health conditions. It shows no warning signs but can lead to dangerous complications if left untreated. In this blog, we will discuss what high blood pressure is, what causes it, and how chiropractic care in Singapore can help. So let’s begin, shall we?
What is High Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure is the amount of force that blood exerts against the walls of your arteries. This pressure helps deliver oxygen and nutrients to your tissues and organs.
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, develops when the force of blood pushing against your vessels is constantly high. It is measured using two numbers: systolic pressure in your arteries when your heart beats and diastolic pressure when your heart is resting between the beats. A normal blood pressure reading is 120/80 mmHg, but when it consistently reaches 130/90 mmHg or higher, it is considered hypertension.
High blood pressure is quite a common condition. Stats show that almost 1 out of 3 Singaporeans between the ages of 18 and 74 years has hypertension. It often develops over several years without causing any symptoms. Still, it can cause damage to your heart, eyes, blood vessels, brain, and other organs. If you think you have consistently high blood pressure, consult your healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and care. Staying informed and proactive is the best way to protect your health.
What Causes High Blood Pressure?
Experts classify hypertension into two types based on its cause.
1. Primary Hypertension
It is also known as essential hypertension. It has no definitive cause and gradually develops over time. Most people have this type of hypertension.
Studies show that multiple factors lead to the development of essential hypertension. Some of them include:
- Genetics: If you have a family history of hypertension, you are at increased risk of developing it.
- Age: People above the age of 65 are likely to develop hypertension. As we age, our arteries become narrower and less flexible, which can raise blood pressure.
- Physical Inactivity: Literature shows that a sedentary lifestyle is linked with high rates of hypertension and other cardiovascular complications.
- Obesity: It can increase the risk of hypertension, as excess weight can put strain on the heart and blood vessels.
- Race: Studies show that black people in the United States are more likely to get high blood pressure.
- Alcohol Consumption: Drinking alcohol daily can put you at increased risk of hypertension.
2. Secondary Hypertension
Secondary hypertension has an identifiable cause. It develops rapidly and can be reversed by treating the cause of hypertension. Common triggers for secondary hypertension include:
- Kidney disease
- Structural heart issues
- Thyroid problems
- Endocrine tumors
- Certain medications
Hypertension Stages
Healthcare experts classify hypertension into five stages based on systolic and diastolic pressure. These stages help your doctor understand the severity of the condition and choose the best treatment options. These stages include:
- Normal Blood Pressure: A blood pressure reading below 120/80 is considered normal and within a healthy range.
- Elevated: If your systolic pressure is between 120-129 mm Hg, and your diastolic pressure is below 80 mm Hg, it is considered elevated. Your healthcare professional is likely to recommend lifestyle changes at this stage.
- Stage 1 Hypertension: When your systolic pressure remains between 130-139 and diastolic pressure between 80-89 mm Hg, it is considered stage 1 hypertension. At this stage, your physician will prescribe medical devices and suggest lifestyle modifications to manage high blood pressure.
- Stage 2 Hypertension: If systolic pressure stays above 140 and diastolic pressure above 90 mm Hg, it is stage 2 hypertension. You will require medications and healthy lifestyle changes at this stage to prevent heart problems.
- Hypertensive Crisis: If your blood pressure is above 180 mm Hg and your diastolic pressure is 120 or higher, it is a medical emergency and requires immediate medical attention.
High Blood Pressure Symptoms
High blood pressure doesn’t usually cause symptoms and is often called a silent killer. Many people with hypertension do not experience any symptoms until their blood pressure reaches dangerous levels. In fact, the WHO states that up to 64% of people don’t even know they have hypertension.
However, when your blood pressure reaches 180/120 mm Hg or above in a hypertensive crisis, you may experience the following symptoms:
- Severe headache
- Chest Pain
- Dizziness
- Nose bleed
- Nausea and vomiting
- Visual disturbances/blurred vision
- Palpitation
If you experience any of the above symptoms, immediately report to the nearest hospital emergency department.
High Blood Pressure Complications
High blood pressure can cause damage to your body even before the symptoms appear. It can lead to severe complications if not managed properly. These may include:
1. Heart Problems:
High blood pressure causes your heart to work harder, which can weaken your heart muscles. This might result in heart failure, angina (chest pain), coronary artery disease, and myocardial infarction (heart attack).
2. Stroke
The risk of stroke is greater in patients with uncontrolled hypertension. High blood pressure can cause arteries in your brain to narrow, block, and rupture, leading to stroke.
3. Peripheral Artery Disease
Constant high blood pressure causes increased mechanical stress and damage to the inner lining of the arteries. It results in the buildup of plaques inside the artery walls. This, in turn, restricts the blood flow to the limb and causes peripheral artery disease.
4. Vision loss
High blood pressure can affect nerves and fragile blood vessels in your eyes. This, in turn, blocks the blood flow to nerves, depriving them of oxygen and causing cell death.
5. Aneurysms
Elevated blood pressure can weaken the walls of your arteries, causing bulges that may rupture and lead to life-threatening internal bleeding.
High Blood Pressure Diagnosis
Its diagnosis is as simple as taking a blood pressure reading. Usually, your healthcare provider measures your blood pressure during a routine visit. If your blood pressure is raised, your healthcare provider would request more readings for several days. If you have consistently high blood pressure, your doctor is likely to diagnose it as hypertension.
Furthermore, your doctor may order additional tests to rule out other potential conditions. These may include:
- Lipid profile/cholesterol screening
- ECG
- Complete Blood Profile
- HBA1c
High Blood Pressure Treatment
The treatment of hypertension includes lifestyle modifications and medications. Your healthcare provider would recommend treatment based on your underlying health conditions and blood pressure readings.
Lifestyle Modifications:
These are some simple lifestyle changes that can help keep your blood pressure in range.
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Follow a balanced, low-sodium diet.
- Exercise regularly. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity per week.
- Limit your alcohol intake.
- Maintain a healthy sleep hygiene.
- Try to avoid smoking.
- Try to get enough potassium through food rather than supplements.
Medications for High Blood Pressure
Your doctor might recommend the following medications when starting your treatment. These include:
- ACE inhibitors: These are angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. They dilate your blood vessels by blocking the effects of hormones.
- ARB blockers. These are angiotensin II receptor blockers. They prevent the narrowing of vessels and produce similar effects to ACE inhibitors.
- Calcium Channel Blockers: These medicines stop calcium from entering your heart muscles and blood vessels. This, in turn, allows your vessels to relax and lower blood pressure.
- Diuretics. These drugs remove excess salt and fluid from your body, thus lowering blood pressure.
Your doctor might recommend other medications with these drugs to manage your blood pressure. Always consult your prescriber or pharmacist if you are concerned about the side effects of these medications. Your doctor might adjust your dose or change the medication. Don’t stop or start any medication on your own.
How Chiropractic Care Can Help People With High Blood Pressure?
Chiropractic care is a natural, non-invasive approach that can help people manage their blood pressure. Although it’s not a substitute for medical treatment, chiropractic techniques, especially on the upper cervical spine, have been shown to reduce blood pressure by reducing stress on our nervous system.
Our upper cervical spine consists of two vertebrae: the atlas and axis. It houses and protects an important part of our CNS called the brainstem that controls vital functions of our body, such as heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, and consciousness. When the vertebrae in this region are misaligned, even by an inch, it can cause mechanical stress on the surrounding nerves and the brainstem.
As a result, such misalignment can disrupt the normal transmission of nerve signals and the brain’s ability to regulate blood pressure. Furthermore, a misaligned spine can also compress nearby arteries and blood vessels, thus worsening the problem.
Chiropractic adjustments target the cervical region and restore proper alignment of your spine. By performing spinal manipulation, your chiropractor helps alleviate mechanical stress, reduce nerve interference, and improve overall communication between the brain and body.
In addition to that, chiropractic care can also help ease muscle tension, reduce stress levels, improve circulation, and manage chronic pain. All of these factors help to lower your blood pressure naturally.
At Vitality Chiropractic Centre in Singapore, our experts specialize in Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care. Our clinic is the first of its kind in Singapore, focusing on the upper cervical region to address a variety of health issues. We believe that proper spinal alignment is the key to a person’s health and well-being. Our team provides personalized care plans tailored to your individual needs. So what are you waiting for? Contact us right now!
References
- High blood pressure: causes, symptoms and treatments | Singapore Heart Foundation. (n.d.). Singapore Heart Foundation. https://www.myheart.org.sg/health/risk-factors/high-blood-pressure/
- Mills, K. T., Stefanescu, A., & He, J. (2020). The global epidemiology of hypertension. Nature Reviews Nephrology, 16(4), 223–237. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41581-019-0244-2
- Park, J. H., Moon, J. H., Kim, H. J., Kong, M. H., & Oh, Y. H. (2020). Sedentary Lifestyle: Overview of updated evidence of potential health risks. Korean Journal of Family Medicine, 41(6), 365–373. https://doi.org/10.4082/kjfm.20.0165
- World Health Organization: WHO & World Health Organization: WHO. (2023, March 16). Hypertension. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hypertension
Call 8438 9550 or email help@vitalitychiropracticcentres.com today!
Meet Our Chiropractor Specializing in High Blood Pressure Care
Dr Shaan (Traditional and Complimentary Therapy Qualification) is a Chiropractor from London (UK) who graduated from the Anglo-European College of Chiropractic (UK) as a Doctor of Chiropractic (not medical doctor or dentist). He has completed post-graduate studies and has been serving patients in Singapore since 2015.
He founded Vitality Chiropractic Centres to open the first Upper Cervical clinic in Singapore, and the only practicing Knee Chest Upper Cervical Technique in South East Asia.
He is the Alliance of Chiropractic (AoC) Chairman for Outreach, organising events within Singapore with the People’s Association and other charities. Shaan has served thousands of patients, with experience in patients with headaches, migraines, vertigo, Meniere’s, trigeminal neuralgia, whiplash, IBS and other chronic nervous system problems.
Dr Jessey (黄钰心矫正师) (Traditional and Complimentary Therapy Qualification) is a Chiropractor from Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), graduated from Anglo-European College of Chiropractic (UK) as a Doctor of Chiropractic (not medical doctor or dentist). She has experience serving patients from 2 weeks old to 96 years old prior to moving to Singapore and joining Vitality Chiropractic (活力脊椎矫正中心).
She has completed post-graduate studies and is Singapore’s first female Upper Cervical Chiropractor (上颈椎矫正护理).
Jessey is active in outreach, participating in charitable trips to Cambodia and within Singapore. Jessey has experience helping patients with headaches, migraines, dizziness (眩晕/头晕), Meniere’s (美尼尔氏综合症), slipped disc, anxiety, fibrillations, IBS and other chronic nerve system problems. She also has a special interest in children and younger patients.
If you’ve been struggling with Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness, call 8438 9550, email help@vitalitychiropracticcentres.com or fill in your information below to book your appointment.
Chiropractic Care for High Blood Pressure – Session Rates in Singapore
Here are the expected rates for Chiropractic Care for High Blood Pressure services at Vitality Chiropractic centres.
Discovery Call
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Jump on a call to discuss your concerns and determine if we are the right fit for you.
Consultation
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During the initial consultation, we will run a physical examination, postural assessment, and nerve system test.
Test Results
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Our chiropractor will explain the findings and test results from the consultation. A customised care plan will then be developed for you.
Single Session
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We will perform a nerve scan and adjustment as needed. Re-examinations and rehab exercises might be implemented.
Written by
Shaan Rai (Chiropractor, Singapore)
Shaan is a British Chiropractor, based in Singapore. He is an Alliance of Chiropractic (AOC) registered Singapore Chiropractor, completing a 5 year course at AECC (UK), attaining his Masters in Chiropractic. He is the Vice President and Chairman for Outreach & Charity for Alliance of Chiropractic (AOC) and is the founder of Vitality Chiropractic Singapore. He developed the NeuroPro method, combining Upper Cervical techniques with Functional Neurology Rehab, with published research coming in 2025.
Dizziness Research in Singapore
Read our case report about our patient with dizziness and hearing loss, and the improvements seen with our care. This was produced by the Australian Spinal Research Foundation, and published in the Asia-Pacific Chiropractic Journal.
Read Our Book
Shaan authored the book, ‘Dealing With Dizziness – Holistic Solutions For Unexplained Chronic Dizziness, Vertigo, and Balance Problems’.
You can find it on Amazon, or available in our Singapore Chiropractic clinic.
FAQS
Chiropractors are trained doctors of Chiropractic. They train exclusively as doctors of Chiropractic, not as medical doctors or dentists.
This is the same as how a Dentist, TCM or PhD graduate are trained as doctors in their field, but are also not medical doctors.
If you have any previous scans, x-rays, MRI’s or other imaging, please bring them to your appointment. We would also recommend bringing a family member or friend if you need support or to discuss finances.
Your initial Consultation will take approximately 1 hour, your Results will take approximately 45 minutes and follow up Appointments will take 20-35 minutes depending on your case.
After Chiropractic adjustments there can occasionally be side effects. The most common feelings after corrections (especially in the beginning) are:
- No changes yet
- Some stiffness in the muscles or light soreness
- Feeling relief
If there are any other symptoms or sensations experienced, please ensure to consult with your Chiropractor.
Absolutely! If you book using our online system you should get an email immediately then a WhatsApp confirmation from our staff.
For follow up appointments you should receive an email 48 hours before your appointment. If you do not, and you would like reminders, please let us know and we will be able to help. If you receive reminders but do not want to, you can also opt out of these emeails.
On any day you receive an adjustment we would advise taking it easy and drinking plenty of water. Give it at least 2 hours before exercising. If you feel tired then listen to your body and get to sleep early. Upon starting care, we will share a guide for you to take home, with a long list of do’s and don’ts, so you can take an active part in your care.
We recommend wearing something comfortable that you can bend in. While you don’t need to wear gym clothes, clothes which you can move in freely will be helpful for any tests or techniques the doctor will need to perform. For women, if you are wearing a dress or skirt we will provide blankets to cover you.
Chiropractic, and any health approach, will not be the answer for every patient and every health concern. Other Chiropractors may use different techniques and methods which may not produce the same results as Upper Cervical Chiropractic.
Our Chiropractors conduct a thorough history, physical assessment, nerve scans and biomechanical x-rays to determine if this is a case they can help.
If we are not the right fit for you, we will do our best to find the right practitioner for you.
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