One in three adult Singaporeans have hypertension (also known as high blood pressure). Dr Saradha Anantharaman, Consultant from the Department of Renal Medicine at Changi General Hospital (CGH), answers your questions about the condition.
Dr Saradha Anantharaman, Consultant from the
Department of Renal Medicine of Changi General Hospital (CGH), a member of the SingHealth group, answers your questions about hypertension (high blood pressure).
This forum is open from
1 May to 26 May 2025.
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“Is my blood pressure too high?”
“How do I manage hypertension without relying only on medication?”
“Can I reverse the effects of high blood pressure?”
These are the common questions many have about hypertension.
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is often called a "silent killer" because it usually shows no symptoms but the damage still occurs in the body.
In Singapore, hypertension is the major cause of heart disease and stroke.
According to the Ministry of Health’s National Population Health Survey 2022 and Health Promotion Board’s National Nutrition Survey 2022,
hypertension affects 1 in 3 adult Singaporeans, with local prevalence of hypertension having almost doubled over the last decade.
Most people with hypertension require life-long medications to control their blood pressure. If left untreated, uncontrolled hypertension can lead to life-threatening complications like
stroke,
heart attack (myocardial infarction),
kidney failure, and vision loss.
The good news: early detection and intervention can make a huge difference.
With a combination of lifestyle changes, monitoring and medical support, hypertension can be effectively managed and even prevented.
Types of hypertension include:
Primary hypertension: The most common type of hypertension has no identifiable cause, but is linked to risk factors like age, genetics, diet and stress.
Secondary hypertension: Caused by underlying conditions such as kidney disease, hormonal disorders or certain medications. Adrenal hypertension is also a type of secondary hypertension caused by abnormalities, such as growths, in the adrenal glands.
Gain deeper insights into hypertension, the treatment options, and personalised management strategies by submitting your question to Dr Saradha in this month's 'Ask the Specialist' Q&A.
Related articles:
Navigating the body’s chemistry: all ‘glands’ on deck!
Changi General Hospital offers advanced mass spectrometry and AI-assisted testing to diagnose salt-sensitive and curable forms of hypertension for enhanced patient outcomes
About Dr Saradha Anantharaman
Dr Saradha Anantharaman is a Consultant with the Department of Renal Medicine at Changi General Hospital.
A nephrologist – a specialist in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of kidney diseases – her clinical interests include chronic kidney disease, nutrition and hypertension, with a focus on integrating lifestyle and dietary interventions into kidney care.
Dr Saradha is committed to holistic, patient-centred care, and is actively involved in initiatives aimed at improving long-term outcomes for patients living with kidney disease.
Ref: G25
