The signs and symptoms of hypertension, or elevated blood pressure, are rarely noticeable. On the other hand, it increases your risk of serious conditions like strokes and heart attacks if you don't get treated for it.
Although many are unaware of it, one in three adults in the UK has high blood pressure.
The only way to find out if your blood pressure is high is to get it checked.
What is high blood pressure?
Blood pressure is measured using two numbers. The higher number indicates the force at which your heart pumps blood throughout your body—a force known as systolic pressure.The diastolic pressure (lower number) represents the blood vessel's resistance to blood flow.
The unit of measurement for both of them is millimeters of mercury (mmHg).
In general, readings between 140/90 mm Hg and 150/90 mm Hg, or an average of 135/85 mm Hg and 145/85 mm Hg, respectively, are considered high blood pressure. Over 80-year-olds should aim for blood pressure readings below 150/90 mmHg (or 145/85 mmHg at home). Typically, this range falls between 90/60 and 120/80 mmHg.
Blood pressure readings between 120/80mmHg and 140/90mmHg may suggest that you are at risk of developing high blood pressure if you do not take steps to control it.
The reading for blood pressure will vary slightly from person to person. What you consider high or low might not be to someone else. Risks of high blood pressure
If your blood pressure is too high, it puts additional strain on your heart, blood vessels, and other organs such as the kidneys, eyes, and brain.
High blood pressure on a regular basis increases your risk of developing a number of dangerous and potentially fatal medical conditions, such as:
- cardiac conditions
- heart attacks
- strokes
- cardiac dysfunction
- peripheral vascular illness
- Aneurysms in the aorta
- kidney illness
- dementia caused by blood vessels
Check your blood pressure.
The only way to find out if you have high blood pressure is to get a blood pressure test.
For all adults over 40, a blood pressure check should be performed at least every five years.
This is easy to do and could potentially save your life.
You can get your blood pressure checked at a number of places, such as:
As a component of your NHS Health Check at your doctor's office, certain pharmacies, and certain places of employmentWith a home blood pressure monitor, you can also take your own blood pressure.
Find out more about taking your blood pressure.
Factors that may increase your risk of developing hypertension
Although the precise cause of high blood pressure is unknown, there are certain factors that can increase your risk.
You might be at greater risk if you:
Are overweight, under exercise, eat too much fruit and vegetables and salt, and drink too much coffee (or other caffeinated beverages) and alcohol.
Individuals who smoke, experience insomnia or restlessness, are older than 65, have a family member with hypertension, and
Come from either Black Africa or the Black Caribbean.
Reside in an impoverished area
Changing to a healthier lifestyle can sometimes help lower blood pressure if it's already high and reduce the risk of getting high blood pressure in the first place.
Treatment for high blood pressure
Physicians can use the following methods to help you maintain a safe blood pressure level:
medications, changing one's way of life
Everybody has a different perfect answer.
See your doctor to help you decide on a course of treatment.
This patient decision aid (PDF, 132kb) might also help you comprehend the various treatments you have available.
Modifying one's lifestyle in order to reduce blood pressure
The following lifestyle changes can help prevent and reduce high blood pressure:
- Limit your intake of salt and maintain a healthy diet.
- Avoid drinking alcohol
- Reduce your caffeine intake and get regular exercise if you're overweight.
- Give up smoking.
Some people with high blood pressure may also need to take one or more medications to keep their blood pressure from rising too high.
Prescription drugs for high blood pressure
If you have high blood pressure, your doctor may advise you to take one or more medications to help control it.
They are usually taken once a day and are available as tablets.
The following are some common blood pressure drugs: angiotensin-2 receptor blockers (ARBs), which include candesartan, irbesartan, losartan, valsartan, and olmesartan; calcium channel blockers, which include amlodipine, felodipine, and nifedipine; and dilt
Your doctor's prescription for you will be based on a number of factors, including your age, ethnicity, and blood pressure.