What is hypertension?
Blood pressure is measured in two numbers: systolic (the pressure when the heart beats) over diastolic (the pressure between beats). Normal blood pressure is below 120/80 mmHg. Hypertension is diagnosed when readings consistently exceed 130/80 mmHg (American Heart Association) or 140/90 mmHg (WHO standard used in Peru). It's called the "silent killer" because it produces no symptoms in most people — headaches and nosebleeds are often attributed to it, but are not reliable signs.
Over years, uncontrolled hypertension damages arteries throughout the body, leading to stroke (the #1 cause of disability), heart attack, heart failure, kidney disease, and vision loss. In Peru, hypertension is seriously underdiagnosed and undertreated: a significant portion of hypertensive patients don't know they have it, and of those who do, only a fraction have their blood pressure adequately controlled. Annual blood pressure screening is one of the highest-impact preventive measures an adult can take.
Key facts
- ✓Hypertension has no symptoms in most people — it must be checked, not felt
- ✓A single high reading doesn't confirm hypertension — diagnosis requires elevated readings on at least 2 occasions
- ✓Lifestyle changes (less salt, more exercise, weight loss) can reduce systolic pressure by 5–15 mmHg
- ✓Most hypertensive patients eventually need medication — this is not a failure, it's a biological necessity
- ✓Once started, antihypertensive medication should not be stopped without medical guidance
Manage your blood pressure online
A physician can evaluate your readings, prescribe medication if needed, and guide follow-up — from S/80, anywhere in Peru.
Book consultation →Causes and risk factors
About 95% of hypertension cases are "essential" (primary) — meaning there is no single identifiable cause. Risk factors include: age (risk increases after 40), family history, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, high sodium diet (processed foods, fast food), excessive alcohol intake, chronic stress, and smoking. The remaining 5% is "secondary hypertension" — caused by kidney disease, adrenal tumors (pheochromocytoma, Conn's syndrome), hyperthyroidism, or sleep apnea. Secondary causes should be considered in young patients with resistant hypertension.
Several medications raise blood pressure: NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen taken regularly), oral contraceptives, decongestants (pseudoephedrine), stimulants, and certain antidepressants. If you take any of these regularly and have high blood pressure, inform your doctor — switching or adjusting these medications may improve control.
Get your blood pressure evaluated online
Online medical consultation from S/80. Available across all of Peru.
Book nowTreatment and ongoing management
For newly diagnosed hypertension, doctors first recommend lifestyle modifications for 3–6 months: reducing sodium intake (below 2,300 mg/day — avoid processed foods, add less salt), regular aerobic exercise (150 min/week), losing weight if overweight, reducing alcohol, and quitting smoking. If blood pressure remains above target, medication is added. This is not a failure — most hypertension has a physiological basis that lifestyle alone cannot fully correct.
First-line medications include: ACE inhibitors (enalapril, lisinopril) or ARBs (losartan, valsartan) — especially good for diabetics or those with kidney involvement; thiazide diuretics (hydrochlorothiazide, indapamide) — effective and low-cost; calcium channel blockers (amlodipine) — particularly effective in older adults and those of African descent. Most patients eventually need 2 medications. Blood pressure target is generally below 130/80 mmHg. Follow-up with home blood pressure monitoring (arm cuff, not wrist) and periodic lab tests (kidney function, electrolytes) is essential.
FAQ
If I take medication and my BP normalizes, can I stop?
No. The medication is what's keeping it normal. Stopping antihypertensives without medical supervision typically causes blood pressure to rise back to previous levels within days to weeks. Only a doctor can determine if a trial of dose reduction is appropriate after a period of very good control with lifestyle changes.
What blood pressure reading should I worry about?
A reading above 180/120 mmHg is a hypertensive crisis and requires immediate medical evaluation. Readings of 160–179/100–119 need urgent (same-day) medical attention, especially with symptoms like severe headache, chest pain, or shortness of breath. For chronic mild-to-moderate hypertension, an online consultation is appropriate for evaluation and treatment planning.
Can an online doctor manage my hypertension?
Yes, very effectively. Hypertension management mainly involves medication selection, dosage adjustment, and monitoring — all things that can be done online. You measure your blood pressure at home, share readings with the doctor, and receive medication adjustments as needed. In-person visits are needed for physical examination and in situations requiring urgent care.
How much can diet and exercise lower blood pressure?
Each lifestyle intervention produces modest but real reductions: reducing sodium can lower systolic BP by 2–8 mmHg; regular exercise by 4–9 mmHg; weight loss (per 10 kg) by 5–20 mmHg; limiting alcohol by 2–4 mmHg. Combined, these changes can be enough to control stage 1 hypertension without medication in some patients.
Conclusion
Hypertension is the most important modifiable cardiovascular risk factor — and one of the most treatable. Getting your blood pressure checked, understanding your numbers, and staying consistent with lifestyle changes and medication (when needed) can add years to your life and prevent devastating complications.
At Delvir, you can consult a physician online from S/80, from anywhere in Peru.