Three weeks ago, Mr. Tan's blood pressure suddenly spiked to 190/110 mmHg. Medication lowered it to 150-160/100 mmHg, but it rose again, necessitating emergency care at Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City. According to Dr. Nguyen Thi Ngoc of the Cardiology Department, Cardiovascular Center, without prompt intervention, Mr. Tan risked complications such as myocardial infarction, stroke, and kidney failure.

Mr. Tan had managed his blood pressure with medication for years. However, it had been unstable for the past six months, especially during a bout of chronic gastritis. Based on tests and diagnostic imaging, doctors suspected the issue stemmed from his long-term use of the same prescription.

Doctors adjusted his dosage and added new medications, bringing his blood pressure below 150 mmHg and relieving his dizziness within a day. After a week of continued treatment, his condition stabilized, and he was discharged with his blood pressure under control at 129/71 mmHg.

Dr. Ngoc advised the patient to take his medication as prescribed after discharge to control his blood pressure. *Photo: Ha Vu*

Dr. Tran Vu Minh Thu, Head of Cardiology Department 2, Cardiovascular Center, Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, stated that hypertension patients (blood pressure ≥ 170/90 mmHg) receive different prescriptions based on their health, constitution, and individual factors. If one medication doesn't yield significant improvement, doctors may add or combine others after ruling out other potential causes of hypertension.

Adhering to prescribed medication is crucial for managing the condition. However, some patients stop taking medication or fail to adjust it as needed, leading to uncontrolled blood pressure. Dr. Ngoc emphasized that medication controls blood pressure within target ranges, rather than curing the disease. If a patient stops treatment when their blood pressure normalizes, it can spike suddenly, causing dangerous complications. Missing doses can lead to serious problems like stroke and hemiplegia.

To maintain safe blood pressure levels, medication and a healthy lifestyle are essential. Patients should adopt habits like a low-sodium diet, limiting saturated fats, regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, adequate sleep, stress management, and avoiding tobacco and excessive alcohol. Regular blood pressure monitoring and periodic cardiovascular check-ups are also recommended for early detection of any abnormalities.

Thu Ha

*The patient's name has been changed.