Medically reviewed by Dr Pinakin V Parekh, General & Interventional Cardiologist (MBBS (Singapore), MRCP (UK), GDFM (Singapore), FAMS (Singapore), FRCP (Glasgow)). Last Updated: 2026, 28 August
Founder & Medical Director of Trident Heart Centre
Dr Pinakin V Parekh is an interventional cardiologist in Singapore with over 20 years of experience in heart care. He specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of heaart diseases, including procedures such as angiogram and angioplasty.
High blood pressure (hypertension) is a condition where the force of blood against your artery walls is consistently too high, which can strain the heart and blood vessels over time.
It often develops silently, with no symptoms in the early stages, and is commonly only detected during routine health screening or a blood pressure check. This is why regular monitoring is important, especially if you have risk factors such as diabetes, high cholesterol, or a family history of heart disease.
High blood pressure usually develops over time due to a combination of lifestyle, genetic, and medical factors.
What Causes High Blood Pressure?
Family history of hypertension
High salt diet
Lack of physical activity
Chronic stress
Age-related changes in blood vessels
Medical Conditions That Can Contribute
In many cases, there is no single cause, but rather a combination of risk factors.
High blood pressure is often called a “silent condition” because symptoms are usually absent, especially in the early stages.
Common High Blood Pressure Symptoms:
Most patients will not experience noticeable symptoms until blood pressure is significantly elevated or complications develop.
If left untreated, high blood pressure can silently damage important organs over time.
It may lead to
This is why early detection and long-term control are very important.
High blood pressure is diagnosed using simple but important tests.
A blood pressure reading using a cuff is the first step. Multiple readings are usually needed to confirm a diagnosis.
Patients may be asked to check their blood pressure at home over several days to get a more accurate picture.
This test measures blood pressure throughout the day and night while you go about your normal activities. It helps detect fluctuating or “hidden” hypertension.
These may be done to check for underlying causes and assess whether high blood pressure has affected other organs.
Treatment depends on your blood pressure level, risk factors, and overall health.
Lifestyle is a key part of managing and controlling high blood pressure:
In some patients, high blood pressure is linked to other medical conditions. These are often managed alongside your doctor and other specialists as part of overall blood pressure control.
Common conditions include:
Sleep apnea is one of the most common and often underdiagnosed causes of high blood pressure. If suspected, a sleep study may be recommended, and if confirmed, treatment such as CPAP therapy can help improve breathing during sleep and support better long-term blood pressure control.
Some patients will need medication to help control blood pressure.
These medications may:
Medication is often used alongside lifestyle changes for best results.
High blood pressure usually requires ongoing management.
This includes:
High blood pressure is usually a long-term condition, but it can often be very well controlled.
With the right combination of lifestyle changes and medication (when needed), many patients are able to maintain healthy blood pressure levels and significantly reduce their risk of complications.
You should consider seeing a doctor if you have:
Early assessment helps prevent complications before they develop.
Patients often value Dr Pinakin’s approach because it focuses on:
Taking time to understand each patient’s concerns, symptoms, and overall health.
Helping patients understand their blood pressure readings, test results, and treatment options.
Focusing on reducing future risks such as heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease.
Yes, if left untreated, it can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney problems.
Stress can contribute to temporary increases and may worsen long-term control.
It can often be well controlled, and in some cases improved significantly with lifestyle changes.
Not always. It depends on your condition and response to treatment.
Foods high in salt, such as processed foods, instant meals, processed meats, fried foods, sugary drinks, and excess alcohol, can raise blood pressure if consumed regularly.
Dr Pinakin uses current, evidence-based methods to carefully evaluate and treat heart conditions, helping you feel confident in your care.
Every patient is treated as an individual, with attention to your full health and lifestyle, not just the heart problem.
From assessment to treatment, screenings and procedures are conveniently coordinated in one place for a smoother, more reassuring experience.
