When your blood pressure is too high it makes your body work harder. It puts extra strain on your blood vessels, heart and other organs - everything from the brain to the kidneys to the eyes. Persistently high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, increases your risk of a number of serious and potential life-threatening health conditions, such as heart attack and stroke.
If you have high blood pressure, reducing it even a small amount can lower your risk of those health conditions. That’s why checking your blood pressure is vital - it’s the only way to know.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING A TEST?
You can get your blood pressure checked at your GP surgery, and if you are aged over 40 the service is available at many pharmacies too. Work places often have tests, and you can buy a blood pressure monitor for use at home.
All adults over 40 are advised to have their blood pressure checked at least once every 5 years.
A cuff is usually wrapped around your upper arm or wrist to measure your blood pressure and inflated until two numbers appear on the monitor. The top number is called systolic pressure, and the bottom one is called diastolic pressure.
Though everyone’s blood pressure is slightly different, high blood pressure is considered to be from 140/90mmHg (or an average of 135/85mmHg if measured at home) or 150/90mmHg (or an average of 145/85mmHg at home) if you’re over the age of 80.
An ideal blood pressure is usually considered to be between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg, while the target for over-80s is below 150/90mmHg (or 145/85mmHg if measured at home).
Blood pressure readings between 120/80mmHg and 140/90mmHg could mean you’re at risk of developing high blood pressure if you do not take steps to keep it under control.
Your GP surgery or pharmacist can help you maintain your blood pressure through medication and lifestyle changes.
RISK OF HYPERTENSION
While anyone can have high blood pressure, you’re more likely to develop it if you’re overweight, eat too much salt and not enough fruit and vegetables, or you don’t get enough exercise.
Smokers, drinkers and those over 65 are also at increased risk. If you sleep badly or have a relative with high blood pressure, that also increases your chances.
WHAT IS CVD?
Cardiovascular disease is a general term for conditions affecting the heart or blood vessels. It’s usually associated with a build-up of fatty deposits inside the arteries and an increased risk of blood clots. Obesity, dietary factors, smoking and high cholesterol can increase your risk of developing CVD, but the most serious risk factor is high blood pressure. High blood pressure contributes to almost half of deaths from CVD and around 40 percent of associated illness.
Get your blood pressure tested. Find out more at nhs.uk.
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How can the NHS App help?
The next time you need a repeat prescription, why not use the NHS App instead of calling the surgery.
You can easily download the NHS App from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
The NHS App is a simple and secure way to access a whole range of NHS services as well as find reliable information on hundreds of different conditions.
You can view your health information and order repeat prescriptions and have them sent to your pharmacy.
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“It’s important to get checked regularly”
53-year-old Anirban is a Chartered Accountant and runs one of the UK’s biggest community organisations to raise awareness about Bengali culture and heritage in the UK.
During an appointment with his GP in 2010, Anirban was diagnosed with high blood pressure. Initially, he was given a low dose of medication to control high blood pressure. But this dose had to be increased over the years, as his blood pressure kept gradually increasing with time. But recently, with the help of a balance of a healthy diet, lifestyle changes and medication, Anirban’s blood pressure has been under control without further increase, and he thinks it has been a positive change.
Speaking to Asian Voice, Anirban said, “I am conscious of my food habits. I am active, I walk regularly, have played football in the past, and even run a football tournament every summer. I ensure I have less salt and eat as healthily as possible. Our food typically has a lot of vegetables and fruits on the menu. Though I haven’t had any health scares, I am very conscious of the threats that high blood pressure poses to one’s health, such as heart attacks and strokes.
“Ever since my health complications due to being hospitalised with Covid-19 back in 2020, I see a doctor every six weeks. That has helped me to keep my blood pressure under control too. Though living with high blood pressure does worry me, I try to remain positive. The doctor once advised me to ‘focus on today rather than tomorrow,’ which has helped me remain optimistic.”
He added, “Stress acts as a catalyst for those who suffer from hypertension. So, I was told not to put myself under unnecessary stress, though I can’t control everything in life. A well-balanced diet and exercise can help you remain fit, but it is also important to get yourself checked regularly as that’s the only way to know if you have high blood pressure.”
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“Over a quarter of adults have high blood pressure although many will not realise due to a lack of noticeable symptoms. If left untreated it increases your risk of serious problems such as heart attacks and strokes. The only way to find out if your blood pressure is high is to have your blood pressure checked.”
- Dr Shahed Ahmad, National Clinical Director for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention at NHS England.
