How to beat hypertension: The silent killer

The country is facing a health crisis. From heart disease to high cholesterol, millions of Brits are developing life-shortening conditions – and they are often triggered by lifestyle choices. Our brilliant series will help you reduce your risk and make vital changes before it’s too late. This week, PAT HAGAN takes a closer look at hypertension

AS MANY as one in three adults in the UK has high blood pressure, yet many are unaware they have a problem. So it’s little wonder that this very common medical complaint – also known as hypertension – is often dubbed “the silent killer”.

Left untreated, it raises the risk of potentially fatal heart attacks and strokes and can also cause severe irreversible damage to the kidneys.

Some people may suffer headaches when their readings creep ever higher. But for millions, this deadly condition can remain hidden until it is picked up through routine checks or results in a medical emergency.

Yet many could significantly reduce their risk of health problems by making simple changes to their diet and lifestyle, experts say.

In the latest in the Live Well, Live Longer series, we look at what causes high blood pressure and the simple steps anyone can take to protect themselves against this hidden killer.

Blood pressure is a measure of the force exerted on the walls of the arteries by blood flow.

The higher the pressure, the harder the heart has to work to pump blood, putting it under added strain.

High blood pressure – or hypertension – is a reading above 140/90.

The increased pressure also damages blood vessel walls, so they’re prone to forming clots, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke.

“The higher your blood pressure, the harder the heart has to work to pump blood round the body,” says Professor Naveed Sattar from the University of Glasgow’s Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences. “Like any muscle, if the heart gets constantly overworked like this, it can become enlarged, leading to heart failure.”

Heart failure occurs when the cardiac muscle, worn out by the extra workload, becomes weak and floppy instead of strong and firm.

It damages circulation and causes swelling of the limbs, breathlessness and extreme fatigue.

In the worst cases, patients can end up on the waiting list for a heart transplant. Some people are genetically prone to high blood pressure, while some get it despite living a healthy lifestyle.

Fatty, salty diets, too little exercise, stress, smoking and excess alcohol are the main contributory factors.

Salt is a major problem because too much interferes with the kidneys’ ability to filter out excess water from the body.

This fluid then circulates in the bloodstream, putting blood vessels

– and therefore the heart – under increased pressure.

But avoiding excess salt is not easy, as most of what we consume is already added to processed foods.

However, Professor Sattar says adopting a healthy lifestyle from an early age can make a significant difference to cardiac risk later in life.

“Having lower blood pressure from a young age and maintaining that as you get older can protect against heart attacks and strokes.

“That means being physically active, eating fewer salty foods, cutting down on booze and maintaining a healthy weight.”