WHAT IS BLOOD PRESSURE?
Blood pressure is the pressure of circulating blood against the walls of blood vessels.
The majority of this pressure is created when the heart pumps blood through the circulatory system.
HOW IS IT RECORDED?
Blood pressure is recorded as two numbers. The first, or top, number is called the systolic pressure. It is the pressure when the heart beats.
The second, or lower, number is called the diastolic pressure. This is the resistance to blood flow in the vessels between heat beats.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR RESULTS
High blood pressure
Is taken as 140/90 if taken by a health care professional or 135/85 if recorded at home.
If you are over 80 years old then these figures are 150/90 and 145/85 respectively.
Ideal blood pressure
Is taken as 90/60 to 120/80. Or 145/85 to 150/90 if over 80.
Blood pressures between 121/81 and 139/90 could mean that you are at risk of developing high blood pressure.
WHY CHECK YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE?
31% of males and 26% of females in the UK have high blood pressure. The vast majority have no symptoms. So, unless you get it checked you won’t know. It could save your life.
RISKS OF HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
High blood pressure puts additional strain on your blood vessels and organs. This can cause damage over time.
If untreated it can lead to:
- Heart disease
- Heart attacks
- Strokes
- Heart failure
- Peripheral arterial disease
- Aortic aneurysms
- Kidney disease
- Vascular dementia
To name but a few.
HOW TO CHECK BLOOD PRESSURE
All adults over 40 are recommended to have their blood pressure checked every 5 years at a minimum.
This should be done earlier if you have African, Afro-Caribbean or South Asian descent. You can get your blood pressure checked at a Tonic health check, GP, pharmacist or by using your own device.
WHAT INCREASES YOUR RISK?
The vast majority of people with high blood pressure have no direct cause. This is called essential hypertension. However, some things do increase your risk:
- Being overweight
- High salt and low plant fibre intake
- Inadequate exercise
- Too much alcohol and caffeine
- Smoking
- Stress
- Being over 65
- Having a family history of hypertension
- Being of African or South Asian descent
- Living in a deprived area
TREATING HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
This falls into two basic categories.
Lifestyle
- Lose weight
- Reduce salt in diet
- Increase plant based food
- Exercise regularly
- Stop smoking
- Reduce alcohol and caffeine
Medication
This is often used by you GP in conjunction with lifestyle changes to reduce and maintain your blood pressure. You will need some investigations before they can be prescribed. Medications fall into 6 main categories:
- ACE inhibitors such as ramipril
- Angiotensin 2 receptor blockers such as candesartan
- Calcium channel blockers such as amlodipine
- Diuretics such as Bendroflumethiazide
- Beta blockers such as atenolol
- Alpha blockers such as doxazosin
So, the take home message is:
GET IT CHECKED, TO REDUCE YOUR RISK & IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH SOLUTIONS:
Tonic can help you every step of the way with your journey (and your employees) to optimal health! Simply book your health check day! Or even a blood pressure check pop-up in your workplace.
IT MAY JUST SAVE A LIFE!
