IS YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE NORMAL?

New guidelines mean more people are likely to be offered treatment. Will you be one of them? Tessa Hilton explains what you need to know…

You may diligently calculate the calories in your latte, steps you’ve taken today and even your body mass index (BMI), but too many of us don’t know the measurement that could save our lives: blood pressure.

High blood pressure (BP) rarely has symptoms, yet it causes 60% of strokes and 40% of heart attacks, says Blood Pressure UK. It’s thought as many as 5m people are undiagnosed and will only find out when they have a heart attack or stroke. More first-time strokes are also happening at an earlier age than a decade ago, says Public Health England, and high BP can develop at any age. Some underlying conditions, such as kidney disease, can cause high BP (also known as hypertension), as can age, ethnicity (those of Afro Caribbean descent are more susceptible), family history and pregnancy. However, it’s mostly a preventable condition.

NUMBER KNOW-HOW

BP is measured by two numbers. The first is the systolic measurement; the maximum pressure point when the heart contracts. This is the most important number, according to Professor Gareth Beavers, trustee of Blood Pressure UK.

The bottom number is the diastolic measurement, the point when the heart relaxes and blood vessels are under least pressure.  Below 120 over 80 (120/80) is ideal.  Over 120/80 to 140/90 is not classified as ‘high’, but you need to bring it down or stop it rising.  If your BP is consistently 140/90 or higher, or if one number is always higher over a number of weeks, you probably have high blood pressure.  A level of 90/60 or below is low BP. Only one of the numbers has to be below to count. Some people have naturally low BP, but it is not dangerous. They may require treatment if it drops very low, which can result in dizziness.

NEW GUIDELINES

The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) updated guidelines earlier this year. High BP remains at over 140/90, unlike the US, where 130/80 is now the dividing line. However, treatment will be offered to people with a 10% risk of heart attack or stroke in the next decade instead of a 20% risk, which means more people will be offered treatment and lifestyle advice.

RELIABLE READINGS

‘White coat hypertension’ (where your BP rises in a medical setting) can give a higher reading. Occasional spike? Don’t panic. If BP is high in clinic, your doctor will arrange average readings, measured by you regularly at home or by wearing an ambulatory blood pressure monitor for 24 hours. You’ll only be diagnosed with hypertension if your clinic measurements are 140/90 or more and your average readings 135/85 or more.

5 WAYS TO LOWER YOUR BP, NATURALLY

LESS SALT Too much increases water retention, plus salt sensitivity increases with age. Most is found in prepared foods. Read labels and choose unsalted or low-salt foods.

MORE FRUIT AND VEG At least five portions a day. Dried, frozen and tinned count, but check salt or sugar content.

LESS WEIGHT Excess weight puts extra strain on your heart and arteries. Losing just 5% to 10% of overall weight cuts the risk of heart attack and stroke.

MORE EXERCISE 30 minutes of moderate activity five times a week (such as brisk walking or mowing the lawn) helps lower BP.

LESS BOOZE Too much alcohol can raise BP over time. Keep to the recommended limit of 14 units a week.

NEED MEDICINE?

There are many medicines to lower BP, and research suggests taking two or more often has a better effect than taking one.