A case of high blood pressure is a common condition that is often put down to high tension and stressful situations.
It is also a condition that could put an individual at risk of cardiovascular diseases, reports the Daily Record. However, it isn't always keeping a cool head that can keep high blood pressure at bay, and there are other key factors people should be aware of.
A health expert has explained key facts about the condition, to mark Know Your Numbers week - an event to mark why people should be checking their blood pressure regularly. Here is everything you need to know below.
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What is high blood pressure?
Sindy Johar, a senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation explains: "Blood pressure is the force of blood against your blood vessels and the rate at which your heart is having to push your blood through your body.
“You need to have a certain amount of pressure in your arteries to keep blood moving.”
However, if that pressure climbs too much, it can lead to some serious health issues, such as an increased risk of strokes, heart attacks, vascular dementia and kidney disease. There are ways to help manage and treat high blood pressure, but part of the issue is people aren't aware of what can cause the condition.
Sindy says: "High blood pressure can go undiagnosed for a long time. In rare cases, people are symptomatic, but normally you won’t know you have it” – which is why it’s often dubbed a 'silent killer'."
Symptoms, as explained by the nurse, can include:
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- Blurred vision
- Headaches
- Rarely, chest pains
It can often go unnoticed unless you go to a hospital for something else and get your blood pressure checked. Sindy adds: "One in four adults have high blood pressure knowingly, but as many as five million people in the UK could have undiagnosed issues."
What can cause high blood pressure?
Some lifestyle and environmental factors can play a part in the condition, also known as hypertension. Nurse Sindy explains that leading causes include, "lack of exercise, immense weight gain, salt consumption and excessive alcohol consumption”.
However, genetics and age can also be key factors in high blood pressure. Sindy said: "As we get older, blood pressure will often increase. If you are in a family with a record of high blood pressure issues, you are more likely to struggle. Ethnicity can also play a part. Afro-Caribbean and South Asian people are more likely to struggle with high blood pressure."
Does stress cause high blood pressure?
Although stress is often a 'cause' many people blame high blood pressure for, it is not recognised by health professionals as a key cause - in the long term. Sindy explains: "Stress does not directly cause an increase.
“Be it work-related, financial or personal stress, in a stressful situation, your body will release hormones like adrenaline, which will increase blood pressure as your heart is beating faster and your body is trying to cope with this stress. This can be the catalyst of a sudden dramatic increase, but normally will go straight back down after.”
However, this doesn't mean stress cannot be a factor of the condition. It could well have an indirect influence on overall health, which includes blood pressure.
Sindy adds: "Stress in the long term can also cause us to take up unhealthy habits, eating comfort food, smoking, drinking or not exercising, which can then push up your blood pressure. If left untreated, you may find yourself suffering from strokes, heart disease, heart attacks and vascular dementia.”
What can I do if I'm worried about my blood pressure?
If you are concerned about your blood pressure or have never had it tested before, the best way to begin an investigation is to contact your local GP. However, some high street pharmacies also offer blood pressure checks.
They can also provide expert advice if your blood pressure is high. Managing stress is important for everyone too, whether or not you already have high blood pressure.
Sindy concludes: "Try and focus on what you can change, ask for help, stop for a bit and try and get your stress levels lower to protect your health. Yoga, meditation and mindfulness could help your stress levels and your health.”
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