Hypertension (high blood pressure)
What is it? High blood pressure (hypertension)
is usually defined as having a sustained blood pressure of
140/90mmHg or above.
Why should I worry about it? 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). Both of
these situations can cause a stroke.
How could I get it? Risk factors for high blood
pressure include:
- Age
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Poor diet
- Lack of exercise
- Obesity
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.
How can I avoid it? High blood pressure
can be treated or prevented by making changes to your lifestyle,
such as exercising more regularly, eating a healthier diet and
cutting back on your consumption of alcohol. Medicines are also
available that can help lower your blood pressure.
How many people have it? 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.
How do I know if I've got it?High blood
pressure does not normally cause any symptoms until it has reached
a very high level.
Symptoms that your blood pressure has reached a very high level
include:
a headache that lasts for several days,
- nausea,
- dizziness,
- drowsiness,
- blurred, or double vision,
- nosebleeds,
- irregular heartbeat (palpitations), or
- shortness of breath.
What do I do if I think I have it? If you
experience any of the symptoms, you should see your GP as soon as
possible. Additional information can be found on the
NHS UK web site