Healthy living
Body matters
Blood pressure - know your numbers
Over 50 per cent of the over-50s have high blood pressure - a condition that causes strokes and heart attacks and is linked to an increased risk of dementia and kidney disease
According to the Blood Pressure Association, 16 million adults in the UK currently have high blood pressure, but of those, around five million aren't aware of it. However, uncontrolled high blood pressure, says the BPA, is like a hidden ticking time bomb which can cause stroke, heart attack and heart failure. If left untreated, someone with this level of blood pressure is three times more likely to develop heart disease and stroke, and twice as likely to die from them as someone with a healthy blood pressure.
Understanding blood pressure
If you're baffled by your blood pressure reading, don't worry, you're far from alone. So here's what the numbers mean - and what a healthy blood pressure level should be.
What do the numbers mean?
When you have your blood pressure measured it is written like this: 140/90Hg, which is said "140 over 90". The first number is your systolic pressure, when your heart is pushing blood round your body. The second is the diastolic pressure, when your heart relaxes.
What should my blood pressure be?
A healthy blood pressure is a level of 120/80 or less. You should aim to get your blood pressure to this level or less. 140/90 is the level used to diagnose high blood pressure for everyone, whatever your age. If your blood pressure is consistently raised at this level or above, it will need to be treated, to reduce your risk of stroke and heart attack.
Home monitoring
The Blood Pressure Association encourages home monitoring as it's a useful way for everyone to keep track of their blood pressure between visits to the GP. Some people find that their blood pressure readings are much higher when measured by a doctor or nurse. This is called the 'white coat effect' and measuring your blood pressure at home can help overcome this.
Professor Graham MacGregor, Chairman of the Blood Pressure Association, said; "People with high blood pressure often find that home monitoring helps them to feel more in control of their condition. It helps them to monitor the effectiveness of their medication or lifestyle changes and check whether readings are higher in the surgery than they are at home."
There's a wide range of blood pressure monitors on the market but to be sure you get an accurate measurement, it's really important to choose a clinically validated model and use the right technique.
The Blood Pressure Association, in conjunction with manufacturer Microlife, has launched the BP-3AG1 automatic home blood pressure monitor. It's easy to use, comes with a three-year guarantee and at £34.99 is the cheapest clinically validated monitor listed by the British Hypertension Society. A royalty of £5 goes to the BPA for every monitor sold.
Information on this site is for interest only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should consult your own doctor about any specific health concerns.
