Having high blood pressure can also cause heart failure. Heart failure is when your heart can not pump blood around the body as well as it should and this can cause you to become short of breath and can cause your ankles to swell. High blood pressure can also cause kidney failure.So, there are many very good reasons for controlling your blood pressure both and now and in the future.
Q. How common is high blood pressure?
A. In the United Kingdom there are about 10 million people with a blood pressure higher than 140/90mmHg. As blood pressure rises with age, about half of all people over the age of 75 and about one quarter of all middle aged people have high blood pressure. Blood pressure is very variable, going up when you get angry and going down when you are relaxed or asleep. Although you may be said to have high blood pressure, or a normal blood pressure it is important to realise that the higher your blood pressure, whatever it is, the higher your risk of heart disease or stroke. This means that all of us should be adopting a lifestyle that will help to lower our blood pressure whether we have high blood pressure or not.
Q. How is blood pressure measured?
A. Your blood pressure can be measured either by using a machine called a sphygmomanometer or by using an electronic machine. A sphygmomanometer is the 'older' kind of equipment for measuring blood pressure. The person taking your blood pressure will put a cuff around the top of your arm, pump up this cuff and then listen for sounds through a stethoscope placed on your arm. The sounds heard through the stethoscope will start and then finish at certain points and this will give the reading for your blood pressure. There are also automatic electronic machines that can measure blood pressure. They also use a cuff around your arm and will give a readout of your blood pressure.
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In order to be sure that you have high blood pressure, you will be asked to have readings taken more than once. Usually you will be asked to go and have you blood pressure checked several times. This is to make sure that you have consistently high blood pressure, rather than high blood pressure because you are nervous at the doctors or have rushed to get to your appointment.
Q. Can I measure my blood pressure at home?
A. Some people would like to be able to monitor their own blood pressure at home and many doctors encourage this. Many people see their doctor or nurse every six months or each year, once their blood pressure is under control. In between these times it can be very useful to regularly check your own blood pressure at home. Machines for measuring your blood pressure are not available on the NHS, you will have to buy your own. However, in some cases your doctor or nurse may lend you a machine for a period of time. Some clinics, doctors and nurses will ask you to bring in your machine before you start measuring at home, so that they can check the machine is accurate and can answer any questions that you might have.
Taking and monitoring your blood pressure can make you feel more in control of your condition and more confident that any medicines that you take and any changes that you make to your lifestyle are working. Measuring blood pressure at home can also make some people feel more anxious about their readings, not less. If this is the case, make sure that you resist the temptation to take readings more often than your doctor has advised. It will also help to make sure you are familiar and comfortable with taking your own readings and that your make your measurements a part of your daily routine.
Contact the Blood Pressure Association for more details about measuring your blood pressure at home and blood pressure monitors.
Q. Why does my blood pressure go up and down so much?
A. Many things can affect your blood pressure; it changes from minute to minute. Getting anxious or angry will cause your blood pressure to go up. This is why your blood pressure needs to be checked a number of times to get an overall reading.
Most people with high blood pressure will have readings taken regularly at their doctor's surgery or at a hospital clinic. Some people may find that their blood pressure is always higher when their doctor or nurse measures it than it is when they are at home. This is called white coat hypertension. Others however will find that their blood pressure is about the same at the surgery or hospital as it is at home. There are several factors that can make your blood pressure go up temporarily so avoid them if you can before having a reading taken, either at your doctors or at home:
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anxiety: try to be as relaxed as possible. Try taking deep breaths whilst you are sitting in the waiting room. Tell your doctor or nurse if you are feeling anxious before the reading is taken. Try not to rush to get to an appointment
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caffeine: do not drink tea, coffee or cola less than half an hour before a reading
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tabbacco: do not smoke less than half an hour before a reading
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exercise: if you have to walk to the surgery or hospital leave plenty of time and try to arrive before your appointment time so that you can rest for five minutes
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talking: talking will raise your blood pressure when you are having it taken
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a full bladder: this also causes a rise in blood pressure
Q. If I have high blood pressure, will my children have it?
A. High blood pressure does run in families and it is even more important that if you have high blood pressure that you help your children to lead a healthy lifestyle too. If your children follow the same diet that you should be following, take exercise and avoid being overweight they should be able to reduce their own risk of developing high blood pressure too.
Q. How does my doctor decide what treatment I need?
A. How your high blood pressure is treated will depend on how high it is and on what other 'risk factors' you have for heart disease and stroke.
If your blood pressure is between 140/90-160/100mmHg then you will probably be asked to make some changes to your lifestyle. You will probably not need to take tablets providing that the changes you make work. In this way you can lower your own blood pressure without needing to take tablets. However, some people with a blood pressure in this range may be prescribed medication to take. This is usually if they are older or have other risk factors for heart disease and stroke, such as high cholesterol, smoking or already have complications such as a previous stroke or heart attack.
If your blood pressure is consistently over 160/100mmHg then you will probably be given tablets to take as well as being asked to make changes to your lifestyle. This should lower your blood pressure down to below 140/90mmHg whilst making sure that you feel fit and well. There will, however, be a small number of people who may find their blood pressure very difficult to control even with medication.
Q. How can I get more information?
A. The Blood Pressure Association can provide you with information and support. There is a growing range of written information on various aspects of the condition as well as a website. The Association also has a membership scheme, which offers a twice-yearly magazine full of information about managing high blood pressure, and member benefits. For more information please go to the Associations website; www.bpassoc.org.uk
We are indebited to the Blood Pressure Associationfor their help in compiling this section.
