You could be walking around without knowing you have high blood pressure – there are no symptoms and if left unchecked, it could lead to heart attacks and strokes, especially in older people
The internet is awash with tips, tricks and hacks to fix minor medical problems. But how much of it is accurate and can be trusted? In an age of misinformation and social media ‘experts’, it is always better to ask someone who is in the know about your health woes.
Each week, Superintendent Pharmacist Claire Nevinson will answer our readers’ questions on everything from insomnia and indigestion to trapped wind and toilet troubles. This week, Claire tackles blood pressure…
Q: I keep reading about how high blood pressure is a ‘silent killer’, but is it really that dangerous and how would I know whether I have it?
A: “High blood pressure, or hypertension, can lead to serious health problems like heart attacks or strokes but there are usually no symptoms. It is something that can affect any of us, especially as we get older and even if we feel totally healthy.
Most people with high blood pressure will not have any symptoms, so it is important to get your blood pressure checked if you are 40 and over. You can do this for free at most high-street pharmacists.
If a pharmacist does identify high blood pressure at the appointment, they will advise on the most appropriate next steps, which may be a 24 hour at-home blood pressure measurement or referral to your GP.
While a diagnosis of high blood pressure might feel a little overwhelming, there are healthy lifestyle factors that we can consider to help support our overall health, including our blood pressure.
1. Maintain a healthy weight – If you’re overweight your heart has to work harder to pump blood around your body, so maintaining a healthy body weight can help reduce the risks of high blood pressure and the associated risk of heart attacks and strokes.
2. Eat a healthy, balanced diet – It is really important to eat a healthy, balanced and varied diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables. You should also limit the amount of salt in your diet.
3. Exercise regularly – Adults should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise like cycling, fast walking, or swimming, a week. If you have any health concerns or have not exercised for some time, check in with your GP first.
4. Limit alcohol – If you drink alcohol regularly it can increase your blood pressure over time. The NHS advise that men and women should not drink more than 14 units a week and that, if you do drink alcohol, these units should be spread over three or more days.
5. Quit smoking – Smoking narrows the arteries, which can increase blood pressure. Smoking also increases the risks of other health concerns.
6. Manage everyday stress – While everyday stress is a normal bodily response to daily challenges, prolonged periods of everyday stress can contribute to high blood pressure. Mindfulness, breathing, and talking to family and friends are all small things you can do to help lower feelings of stress.
7. Prioritise sleep – Sleeping for less than five hours a night can contribute to high blood pressure along with conditions such as insomnia – it’s so important we get enough rest through sleeping.