The Montefiore Hospital: Keep your blood pressure under control

You can’t see it or feel it, but high blood pressure is one of the most common and most dangerous conditions. It’s thought that at least half of people over 65 and a quarter of middle-aged adults have it.

The trouble is that high blood pressure has no obvious signs or symptoms, so unless you have it checked by a health professional, you will have no idea that you have what is often termed the “silent killer”.

But although it doesn’t cause any discomfort or seemingly affect your daily routine, having high blood pressure is one of the biggest health problems. It will significantly raise your risk of developing a major cardiovascular disease, most usually a heart attack or stroke, and it can also damage your kidneys. So while you look and feel perfectly healthy on the outside, your arteries and vital organs are being insidiously damaged.

Therefore, everyone should get their blood pressure checked regularly – at least every five years for healthy people, but more often for those who have a history of high readings. Patients with certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, should also be frequently monitored.

If you are diagnosed with high blood pressure, you can lower it through healthier lifestyle choices, but it may also be necessary to take medication as prescribed by your doctor.

Top five ways to lower blood pressure:
1 Reduce your salt intake – the recommended daily amount is 6g, which is about a teaspoon. However most of the salt we eat is hidden in prepared and processed foods. Even foods like bread and breakfast cereals contain large amounts, so try to avoid adding salt at the table or in cooking.

2 Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables – at least five portions a day of different types.

3 Keep to a healthy weight – being overweight puts additional strain on your body and losing even a few pounds can lower your blood pressure reading.

4 Exercise regularly – this is one of the best ways to lower your blood pressure. You don’t need to work out at the gym every day – walking, rather than going by car or bus; taking the stairs, rather than the lift; swimming or cycling at the weekends will all make a difference.

5 Watch the wine – you may think that a few glasses each evening helps you to relax and unwind after a stressful day at work, but too much alcohol will raise your blood pressure. Drink no more than 3-4 units a day for men and no more than 2-3 units for women, and have a couple of alcohol free days every week.

The Montefiore Hospital treats most medical conditions including hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
For further information contact The Montefiore Hospital on 01273 828120 or visit www.themontefiorehospital.co.uk