Blood pressure is the pressure caused by blood pushing against the sides of your blood vessels as your heart pumps it around your body, giving your body the oxygen and energy it needs to function properly. Hypertension (known as high blood pressure) is when the pressure on the vessels is too high causing extra strain on the heart and your arteries which may lead to a heart attack or stroke.
How to check your blood pressure
What is high blood pressure?
Most people with high blood pressure are unaware that they have it. The only way to check is to have a doctor or other medical professional take your blood pressure information for you. This may be done using a sphygmomanometer which consists of a cuff placed around the upper arm which tightens using air pumped into it. The doctor or other medical professional will then use a stethoscope to listen to the heart rate.
Many hospitals and surgeries now use machines to take blood pressure measurements. Blood pressure levels are measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg) and consists of two numbers. The higher number is called the systolic blood pressure, which is the highest pressure your blood reaches as your heart beats. The lower number is the diastolic which is the lowest pressure reached as your heart relaxes between beats. A healthy blood pressure reading is 120 over 80 or for older people 140/90.
High blood pressure symptoms
Most people have no symptoms at all, although a headache or dizziness could be a sign that all is not right. Getting checked regularly by your doctor is essential.
How to help yourself
Blood pressure diet
Less salt
You can make a big difference to your high blood pressure with a few simple lifestyle changes. Firstly, reduce your intake of salt as it pushes up the pressure in your veins. This means no adding of salt to meals and preferably no cooking with salt either. Most of the salt you eat is not what you add to your food, but is in prepared foods like bread, breakfast cereals and ready meals. So, check the labels carefully and go for the low salt options. A low sodium diet can mean that you avoid having to take medication.
Fruits, vegetables and exercises
Eating more fruit and vegetables and drinking less alcohol will also help reduce your blood pressure as will regular exercise. Keeping to a healthy weight is important for your blood pressure and for your overall health.
Final word
Getting your blood pressure checked regularly is extremely important, especially as you get older. A healthy lifestyle with low salt, plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables and exercise will help to prevent or lower blood pressure problems.
