PMS Instruments: What is Hypertension

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Hypertension?

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, affects approximately 20% of the human population at some time in their lives. High blood pressure happens if the walls of the larger arteries lose their natural elasticity and become rigid.

The pressure of blood flowing through arteries varies at different times of the cardiac cycle. The highest pressure known as the systolic pressure occurs when the contraction of your heart forces your blood around your circulation. The lowest pressure (diastolic) occurs between heartbeats. Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg)

Generally a person is considered hypertensive if their systolic blood pressure is greater than 150 mmHg and their diastolic blood pressure is greater than 90 mmHg. However, since normal blood pressure is age dependent, classification of an individual as hypertensive depends on the person's age.

Chronic hypertension has an adverse effect on the function of both the heart and the blood vessels. Hypertension requires the heart to perform a greater-than-normal amount of work.

Most people with high blood pressure feel perfectly well. The only way to find out if you have high blood pressure is to have it checked by your Doctor or to check it at home.

What Factors Can Contribute To Hypertension?

In the vast majority of people with high blood pressure there is no single clear cut cause. A number of factors combine to raise blood pressure and importantly high blood pressure tends to run in families. Contrary to popular opinion, high blood pressure is not a disease of the nervous system or highly strung, nor is it caused by a stressful lifestyle. The following factors can contribute to high blood pressure

Age - the older a person is the more chance they have of becoming hypertensive.
Salt sensitivity.
Being overweight.
Smoking.
Excessive consumption of alcohol.
Use of certain types of medication.
Inactive lifestyle.

How Can I help Myself?

If you smoke.......stop! Smoking doubles your risk of heart disease and trebles your chance of dying before reaching retirement.

Aim to keep your alcohol limits below recommended limits. A small amount of alcohol is probably fine for your health, but larger amounts can increase your blood pressure.

Take regular exercise. Walking, swimming, cycling and jogging are all appropriate forms of exercise. If in doubt, ask your Doctor.

Don't add salt to food. Studies show salt can significantly increase blood pressure. If you must have salt try Lo Salt, which contains potassium instead of sodium.

Even if these measures do not mean you can avoid taking tablets, they may still reduce the number and dose you have to take.

For further information contact:

The Blood Pressure Association http://www.bpassoc.org.uk/

The British Hypertension Society by visiting http://www.bhsoc.org/