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Blood pressure

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What is Blood Pressure:

In its simplest terms, blood pressure is a measure of the force that the heart uses to pump blood around the body; it looks at the pressure of blood flow in the arteries.

The arteries are referred to as the vessels that transport blood from the heart to the brain, and to the rest of the body. We all need a certain amount of pressure to get the blood moving around our bodies, but it is important that the pressure is within a healthy range.

Blood pressure can naturally fluctuate throughout the day and night, and it can be variable from when we’re sitting, standing, or lying down. It is common for blood pressure to go up a little when we move about, and to accommodate these natural fluctuating occurrences, our arteries are normally fairly stretchy which means they can usually cope when blood pressure fluctuates. However, when the pressure flow is consistently high, the arteries lose their stretchiness, and this results in the arteries becoming stiff or narrow.

Blood pressure is measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg) and is recorded as 2 numbers under the following terms:

  • Systolic pressure – the pressure when your heart pushes blood out
  • Diastolic pressure – the pressure when your heart rests between beats

As a general guide, normal blood pressure is considered to be between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg

  • High blood pressure is considered to be 140/90mmHg or higher
  • Low blood pressure is considered to be 90/60mmHg or lower

High blood pressure is medically referred to as Hypertension, and low blood pressure is medically referred to as Hypotension.

What causes high blood pressure?

In many cases, there isn’t a specific reason for a person developing high blood pressure; however, there are people who develop high blood pressure due to factors to do with their lifestyle – such as:

  • Age – as we age this can sometimes impact upon our vulnerabilities around developing high blood pressure – we become less active, less able, and our body’s metabolism naturally slows as we get older
  • Smoking and / or drinking too much alcohol
  • Poor diet – i.e., eating too much salt, and not enough fruit and vegetables and
  • Lack of exercise
  • Being overweight, (especially around the mid-section)
  • Exposure to excess and unmanageable stress

There are also hereditary factors that could be a cause of someone developing high blood pressure, and there some medical conditions that may result in what is referred to as “secondary hypertension” – such as kidney disease, diabetes, and a condition called obstructive sleep apnoea.

Medicines can also play a part on the effects of blood pressure, such as oral contraceptives and over the counter herbal remedies.

What are the Symptoms?

The most important thing to remember when thinking about blood pressure is that despite that more than 1 in 4 adults in the UK have high blood pressure, many have absolutely no idea that they have a problem with their blood pressure. Often there are no obvious symptoms. You don’t just simply look in the mirror and ”see” that you have high blood pressure, and this is why it is so important to get your blood pressure checked. In simply knowing that you have high blood pressure, this could prevent life-threatening complications like a heart attack or a stroke.

Symptoms that would warrant further investigation such as blood pressure checks may include:

  • Visual disturbances such as blurred or double vision
  • Headaches
  • Nosebleeds
  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest Pain
  • Dizziness

Low blood pressure is less common and doesn’t always cause symptoms; however, if symptoms are present, then treatment may be recommended.

Symptoms can include:

  • Light headedness or dizziness
  • feeling sick
  • blurred vision
  • generally feeling weak
  • confusion
  • fainting

If you get symptoms when you stand up or suddenly change position, you may have what is called  postural hypotension, and a such, the best advise in this circumstance is to ensure that you get up slowly from sitting to standing, and that care is taken when moving from lying to sitting / standing position.

What causes low blood pressure:

Some medicines can cause low blood pressure as a side effect. It can also be caused by a number of underlying conditions, including heart failure and dehydration.

What to do:

If you have any concerns, or symptoms speak to your GP or practise Nurse. A blood pressure check is quick and simple. You can usually get your blood pressure checked via:

Did you know that if you’re 40 to 74 years old, it is recommended that you should have your blood pressure checked at least once every 5 years as part of the NHS Health Check – https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/nhs-health-check/

Further information regarding blood pressure can be found via:

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