related Internet links

Everyone has blood pressure. The heart pumps blood around the body. Your blood pressure is related to the force of your heart pumping and the resistance to the flow of blood through your body.

WHAT IS HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE?

High blood pressure (or hypertension) is not a disease; it is a risk factor for disease. The higher your blood pressure, the greater your risk of a heart attack, a stroke or kidney failure. High blood pressure is important only when it stays raised for many years. The causes of high blood pressure are not fully known, but research has shown that lives can be saved and suffering reduced by treating high blood pressure. This treatment may include taking tablets.

DOES HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE MAKE YOU FEEL ILL?

High blood pressure does not make you feel ill. The only way to know if your blood pressure is high is to measure it.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO LOWER YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE?

• WEIGHT CONTROL. Being overweight is an important cause of high blood pressure. Weight reduction is a sensible first step in treating it.
• STRESS. High blood pressure seems to be almost as common in peaceful, even-tempered people without worries, as it is in excitable people with a short fuse. Blood pressure rises for a few minutes or hours if you are anxious, angry, have been hurrying, have a full bladder, or if you are cold. So blood pressure measured at such times is not reliable, but none of these things seem to be a cause of permanently raised blood pressure. Training in relaxation can lower blood pressure.
• ALCOHOL. Drinking more than a little alcohol a day is a cause of high blood pressure which can be reversed by cutting down your drinking.
• SALT. You should reduce intake by not adding salt to cooked meals, by avoiding high-salt processed foods (sausages, sauces, tinned meats and beans, and canned foods generally). Reducing salt in this way may help you to manage on a lower dose of tablets.
• SMOKING. If you have high blood pressure your risk of a heart attack is doubled by smoking. Smoking is a risk factor, not only for heart attacks, but for bronchitis and emphysema and cancer of the lung, bladder and pancreas. Everyone should give up smoking - having high blood pressure is just another good reason to give up. Smoking is not a cause of high blood pressure and stopping smoking will not cause high blood pressure to return to normal.

HOW WILL TREATING HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE HELP ME?

The aim of all treatment of high blood pressure is prevention of heart attacks, heart failure, stroke, and kidney failure.

DO THE TREATMENTS HAVE SIDE EFFECTS?

All drugs used for high blood pressure can cause side effects. Nowadays there are a lot of different drugs to choose from and if you think your drugs are upsetting you, say so - there are many alternative drugs.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I HAVE MY BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKED?

If you are on treatment to control your blood pressure we like to check your blood pressure at least every 6 months.

Further Reading:

'Is it Blood Pressure'
British Heart Foundation
14 Fitzharding Street
London
W1H 4DH

Tel: 0171 935 0185

related Internet links

British Cardiac Patients Association

Offering support, reassurance and information to all cardiac patients. Representing patients in local and national issues relating to coronary heart disease.

British Heart Foundation

A charitable organisation that aims to play a leading role in the fight against heart disease.

Cardiomyopathy Association

Supports people with all forms of cardiomyopathy and their families.

Children's Heart Federation

CHF provide a range of information including material produced by British Heart Foundation and other groups, about all aspects of bringing up heart children, from coping with siblings, employers and hospitals, to explaining the most common heart conditions and relevant treatments, to short leaflets about looking after your child's teeth.

Down's Heart Group

A UK charity providing support and information to families who have a member with Down's Syndrome and associated congenital heart problems. They also have some overseas members.

Grown Up Congenital Heart Patients Association (GUCH)

GUCH Provides support and advice to adults and teenagers born with Congenital Heart Defects.

Heartlink

Information and support for people with heart conditions.

Heart News Online

Transplant Support Network

A nationwide network of volunteer transplant patients and their carers, who provide locally based support for others coping with transplantation. The aim of the Transplant Support Network is to introduce any patient, carer or family member to others who have been through a similar experience.

Wessex Cardiac Unit (Heart information)

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