High Blood Pressure Risks: How It Can Lead to Stroke & Heart Attack

High blood pressure is a worryingly common condition in Singapore.

According to the National Population Healthy Survey 2022¹, one in three Singaporeans aged 18 to 74 suffers from hypertension or chronic high blood pressure, marking an increase from 35.5% in 2020 to 37% in 2022. Amongst those aged 50 to 59, 49.7% to 53.7% suffer from hypertension, a number which rises to 64.3% in the 60 to 69 age group.

These figures are particularly alarming when we consider that high blood pressure puts one at a higher risk of cardiovascular disease such as heart attack and stroke.

Given the high incidence of blood pressure in the Singapore population, it makes a lot of sense to identify your risk level and take steps to protect yourself from this widespread and potentially deadly condition. One effective measure is to invest in a comprehensive critical illness insurance plan, which can provide financial support in the event of serious health issues like stroke or heart attack.

Who is Vulnerable to High Blood Pressure?

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO)², an estimated 46% of adults with hypertension do not know that they have the condition. So, you could have high blood pressure even without knowing it.

Risk factors that can cause or lead to an increased chance of high blood pressure include the following:

Age, with older people at higher risk
Family history of high blood pressure
Being overweight or obese
Sedentary lifestyle or insufficient physical activity
Diet high in salt
Smoking
Consuming too much alcohol or coffee
High stress
Diabetes, Kidney disease, metabolic syndrome, sleep apnea, thyroid problems and certain tumours
Regular consumption of certain medicines

What are the Symptoms of High Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure is often called the “silent killer” because it rarely presents noticeable symptoms.

However, some individuals may experience subtle signs that could indicate an underlying issue. It’s crucial to remember that these symptoms are not exclusive to high blood pressure and could be linked to other conditions.

If you suspect you may have high blood pressure, it’s crucial to consult a doctor for accurate diagnosis and guidance.

You might have high blood pressure if you are experiencing one or more of the following:

Blurred vision
Nosebleeds
Shortness of breath
Chest pain
Dizziness
Headaches
Numbness and weakness

The Link Between High Blood Pressure and Cardiovascular Disease

High blood pressure is a major risk factor for a whole host of cardiovascular conditions such as heart disease and stroke.

Why does this happen? High blood pressure occurs when the pressure of the blood exerted against the walls of blood vessels or arteries becomes too high. Over time, this causes tears in the artery walls.

The body then manufactures cells that attach to the damaged areas. Plaque, the building blocks of which include cholesterol and fats, can also accumulate at the damaged sites.

Over time, the buildup of plaque, which is called atherosclerosis, narrows the arterial passages, restricting the flow of blood and causing blood pressure to rise even further

Cardiovascular disease is caused by issues related to blood flow. For instance, coronary artery disease, the most common type of heart disease, is caused by the heart receiving insufficient blood, which can lead to a heart attack.

Stroke is another condition linked to high blood pressure. Stroke occurs when the flow of blood to the brain is blocked, or when bleeding suddenly occurs in the brain. Blockages in the brain can be caused by blood clots or plaque that have built up on the artery walls.

As you can see, the consequences of high blood pressure can be severe or even fatal. It is thus highly advisable to go for regular check-ups in order to detect the condition as early as possible.

Considering how serious these health risks can be, a critical illness insurance plan is more than just a safety net—it is peace of mind. With coverage for life-altering conditions like heart disease and stroke, such a plan ensures you’re financially protected when it matters most, allowing you to focus on recovery instead of worrying about expenses.

High Blood Pressure Diagnosis, Treatment Options and Costs

When Should I Worry About My Blood Pressure?
Your blood pressure reading consists of two numbers: systolic (the top number) and diastolic (the bottom number). Systolic pressure measures the force of blood against your artery walls when your heart beats, while diastolic pressure measures the force when your heart rests between beats. These numbers are expressed in millimeters of mercury (mmHg).

For adults 18 years and older, a healthy blood pressure range is typically 120/80 mmHg or lower, and no greater than 130/89 mmHg. If your readings consistently exceed this range, it’s crucial to consult with your doctor and schedule more frequent checkups.

Monitoring your blood pressure closely will help identify potential issues early on and ensure timely intervention.

Diagnosis: How to Measure Blood Pressure
The problem with high blood pressure is that in many cases, sufferers do not feel any symptoms and can live with the condition for years before symptoms become perceptible. Regular blood pressure readings are thus essential.

It is possible to measure your own blood pressure at home. However, you should always attend regular consultations with a doctor, as the implication of a reading can vary according to your age and the state of your health.

Any General Practitioner (GP) should be able to measure your blood pressure, but it’s a good idea to have more complete physical examinations which include blood pressure measurements on a regular basis. If high blood pressure is detected, you might be advised to go for further testing to identify any other health conditions that might be causing it.

A basic health screening package in Singapore can cost anywhere from approximately $50 to $500, depending on the medical service provider and the conditions being screened for.

High Blood Pressure Treatment
Unfortunately, there is no cure for high blood pressure, but the condition can be controlled using medication as well as by making lifestyle changes. With appropriate measures to manage high blood pressure, it is possible to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

If you have been diagnosed with hypertension, which is classified as a chronic disease by the Ministry of Health (MOH), you might be placed on a course of medication to be taken regularly. These can include diuretics, enzyme inhibitors to induce relaxation of the blood vessels or beta blockers to widen the blood vessels and slow down the heart.

The price of medication for treatment of high blood pressure can range from $0.10 to $4.90 per tablet according to the Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore’s price list³. These costs can really add up, as medication can be prescribed for the long term and possibly for life.

The consequences of high blood pressure become even costlier if they lead to potentially deadly health conditions such as heart attack or stroke, which also have the tendency to recur.

According to the MOH hospital bill and fee benchmarks⁴, the cost of treating a heart attack with severe or catastrophic conditions is $1,792 in B2 subsidised wards at public hospitals, based on transacted bills from 1 Jan 2022 to 31 Dec 2022. A registry⁵ study has estimated that about 7% of heart attack patients will suffer another within a year.

For stroke due to blood clot or bleeding in the brain with very severe complications, the cost of in-patient treatment in B2 subsidised wards, based on transacted bills, was $5,715. According to Singapore’s Stroke Registry⁵, 15% of stroke patients in 2017 had previously suffered a transient ischaemic attack, likened to a mild stroke.

Protect Yourself with Critical Illness Insurance

Heart attack and stroke remain two of the leading causes of death in Singapore, often triggered by high blood pressure. While managing your blood pressure and adopting a healthy lifestyle are crucial steps, critical illness insurance offers an added layer of financial protection for you and your loved ones.

Critical illness insurance is important because it provides a lump sum payout upon diagnosis of a covered illness, such as heart attack or stroke, even at an early stage. This financial safety net can help to cover medical expenses, supplement lost income and ease the financial burden on your family during this challenging time.

One way to protect yourself is to purchase a critical illness insurance plan which will offer a lump sum payout if you are diagnosed with a covered illness, even at an early stage.

HL Assurance’s Early Protect360 Plus offers comprehensive protection against the most prevalent critical illnesses in Singapore, including heart attack, stroke and major cancers.

The plan pays out a lump sum that can be used however you wish, including to support your household, make up for lost income or pay for medical expenses not covered by other insurance plans. This offers a layer of financial security that will enable you to put your all into getting better.

Don’t leave your future to chance; explore your options today and to ensure you’re prepared for the unexpected.