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Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
What is Hypertension?
Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, is a condition where the force of the blood against the walls of your arteries is consistently too high.
It is often called the “silent killer” because many people may not have symptoms but still risk serious health problems like heart disease and stroke.
Symptoms of Hypertension
Most people with hypertension do not experience noticeable symptoms, but in some cases, individuals may experience:
- Headaches
- Shortness of breath
- Nosebleeds
- Dizziness
- Chest pain
- Blurred vision
- Fatigue
Causes and Risk Factors
Primary (Essential) Hypertension
No identifiable cause, develops gradually over time.
Secondary Hypertension
Caused by an underlying condition such as:
- Kidney problems
- Hormonal imbalances (e.g., thyroid issues)
- Sleep apnea
- Certain medications (birth control pills, pain relievers)
Risk Factors
- Age: Risk increases as you get older
- Family History: Hypertension tends to run in families
- Obesity: Being overweight increases the risk
- Physical Inactivity: Lack of exercise can raise blood pressure
- Unhealthy Diet: High salt, saturated fat, and low potassium intake
- Smoking & Alcohol: Both increase blood pressure
- Chronic Conditions: Diabetes, kidney disease, and high cholesterol
- Stress: Prolonged stress can contribute to high blood pressure
Screening & Diagnostic Tests
Blood Pressure Measurement: Regular monitoring of blood pressure with a cuff.
Healthy or normal blood pressure
There are two categories of normal blood pressure:
- Normal blood pressure is usually considered to be between 90/60 mmHg and 120/80 mmHg. For over-80s, because it’s normal for arteries to get stiffer as we get older, the ideal blood pressure is under 150/90 mmHg (or 145/85 mmHg at home).
- High-normal blood pressure, sometimes called ‘pre-hypertension’, is when you don’t have an ideal blood pressure, but you also don’t have high blood pressure. It’s usually considered to be between 120/80 mmHg and 140/90 mmHg. Being at this level might prompt you to live a healthier lifestyle so you don’t develop high blood pressure.
High blood pressure
There are three different stages of high blood pressure:
- Stage one: this is when your blood pressure is between 140/90 mmHg and 160/100 mmHg in the clinic, or 135/85 mmHg to 150/95 mmHg at home.
- Stage two: this is when your blood pressure is between 160/100 mmHg and 180/120 mmHg in the clinic, or over 150/95 mmHg at home.
- Stage three: this is when your systolic blood pressure is over 180 mmHg, or your diastolic blood pressure is over 120 mmHg in the clinic. This stage is also called ‘severe hypertension’, and your doctor will need to assess you urgently for further investigations.
Treatment Options
Lifestyle Changes:
- Healthy Diet: Eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Limit salt, sugar, and saturated fats.
- Exercise Regularly: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week (e.g., brisk walking).
- Weight Loss: Reducing even 5-10% of your body weight can lower blood pressure.
- Limit Alcohol: No more than 1 drink/day for women or 2 drinks/day for men.
- Quit Smoking: Smoking cessation improves overall heart health.
- Stress Management: Practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga.
Medications (if lifestyle changes are not enough)
For more information or to schedule a blood pressure screening, please contact us at 8007444