High Blood Pressure |
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What is high blood pressure? |
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high blood pressure is a blood pressure that is 140/90
mmHg or above each time it is taken. That is, it is 'sustained' at
140/90 mmHg or above. High blood pressure can be: |
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Just a high systolic pressure, for example, 170/70
mmHg |
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Just a high diastolic pressure, for example, 120/104 mmHg. |
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Or both, for example, 170/110 mmHg |
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However, it is not quite as simple as this. Depending
on various factors, the level at which blood
pressure is considered
high enough to be treated with medication can vary from person to person. |
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High blood pressure
often causes no symptoms or immediate problems, but it is a major
risk factor for developing a serious cardiovascular disease (conditions
that can affect the circulation of blood around the body), such as
a stroke or heart disease. |
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If you have high blood pressure,
your heart has to work harder to pump blood around your body. Over
time, this can weaken it. Also, the increased pressure can damage
the walls of your arteries, which can result in a blockage or cause
the artery to split (haemorrhage). |
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Both of these situations
can cause a stroke. Who is affected by high blood pressure? High blood
pressure is common, with 40% of adults in England having the condition.
The number of people who have high blood pressure increases with age. |
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For reasons that are not entirely understood, people
of Afro-Caribbean and South Asian (India, Pakistan and Bangladeshi)
origins are more likely to develop high blood pressure than other
ethnic groups. |
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In 95% of cases, there is no single identifiable reason
for a raise in blood pressure. However, all available evidence shows
that your lifestyle plays a significant role in regulating your blood
pressure. Risk factors for high blood pressure include: |
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Age |
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Excessive alcohol consumption. |
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Poor diet. |
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Lack of exercise |
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Obesity |
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Smoking |
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High blood pressure can be treated or prevented by making
changes to your lifestyle, such as exercising more regularly, stopping
smoking, eating a healthier diet and cutting back on your consumption
of alcohol. Medicines are also available that can help lower your blood
pressure. |
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This section has three pages. Use navigation strip to access other pages.
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Peter Scott - Team Leader
