High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)

Normal blood pressure fluctuates all the time.   It tends to rise when you are stressed, or excited,  or take exercise.   It decreases during sleep.   Persistently high blood pressure is called hypertension.   

Several readings need to be taken on different occasions to determine whether someone has high blood pressure.   It should also be taken in different positions - sitting, lying and standing.

Assessing your blood pressure.

"Normal" blood pressure varies with age.    Use this table as a guideline.    (two numbers = systolic / diastolic)

 

The systolic pressure is the maximum pressure within the artery which occurs when the heart actually beats, forcing a pulse wave of blood into the major arteries.

The diastolic pressure is that between the beats of the heart and represents the resting blood pressure within the arteries.

Causes of high blood pressure could include any of the following.   

• A stressful job

• A family history of High Blood Pressure

• Obesity

• Lack of regular exercise

• The combined oral contraceptive pill

• Excessive intake of alcohol

• Smoking

• Major upheavals at home

Take your pick.

Self help measures to reduce blood pressure

1. Reduce weight if obese

2. Reduce salt intake

3. Reduce the intake of fatty foods

4. Take more exercise

5. Reduce stress levels

6. Stop smoking

7. Reduce alcohol intake

The heart has too much work to do trying to get blood to all areas of your flesh. 

Some foods are incessantly high on salt and should be avoided.   Eg  Crisps,  Processed foods,  Salted nuts.

Be careful about which fatty foods you eat.   An element of fat is good for you but moderation and type of fat are the key elements.   See Fats                  

If neglected, hypertension increases the risk of stroke and heart disease.    It can bring on angina, heart attack and  damage to kidneys.   Doctors take the condition seriously, and require that people over the age of 35 should have regular health checks for a condition that can occur without symptoms.