In the UK, over half the population between the age of 55 and 64 have high blood pressure.
Contrary to popular belief, high blood pressure is not always associated with stress. Calm, relaxed people are just as easily affected as nervous people or those in high-profile positions. Anyone can be at risk, and since in many cases there are no symptoms, you could have high blood pressure and not know it. One third of those affected are currently unaware of their condition.
The lack of obvious signs and the prevalence of deaths from related diseases have led to high blood pressure, known as hypertension, being termed the 'silent killer'. It is one of the major medical complications of the present day, yet surprisingly few people are aware of what it is.
Consistently elevated blood pressure, whether mild or severe, can be detrimental to health in a number of ways. The excess strain put on the heart and the blood vessels can lead to heart disease, stroke, kidney problems, visual complications, peripheral vascular disease, and other serious health problems.
The good news is that hypertension can be treated. In mild cases, changes to lifestyle including diet and exercise can be extremely effective. In more severe instances, such changes combined with medical intervention can bring blood pressure back to within the normal range. Monitoring is a valuable health check, even though treatment can be for life.
What is blood pressure?
Just as the air inside a balloon exerts pressure on the balloon walls, the blood within blood vessels exerts pressure on the vessel walls.
You may have heard it said that a person 'has' blood pressure, but this is slightly inaccurate as everyone has 'blood pressure'. What this usually means is that they have high blood pressure (hypertension), which is detrimental to their health.
For adults, a normal reading can be anywhere from 120/70 to 140/90. Readings that are consistently 140/90 or above are considered high and would indicate the need for intervention. It is normal for readings to vary throughout the day, increasing during exercise and decreasing during sleep.
What causes hypertension?
Lifestyle (poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking, etc.), genetic predisposition and illness can all lead to the condition. Blood pressure also tends to rise with age, due to physiological changes and alterations in lifestyle and general health.
In most cases, it can be delayed, prevented, or even reversed, by adopting an active lifestyle, following a sensible diet and maintaining general health.
Who is at risk?
Anyone can develop hypertension. It is particularly common in the over-50's. It tends to run in families, and certain ethnic groups are more genetically predisposed to it than others. People suffering with illnesses such as diabetes and kidney problems carry an increased risk. Lifestyle plays an important part in regulating the condition.
What can be done about it?
Although the condition cannot be cured (unless it is a consequence of another curable illness), it can be controlled with diet, exercise and medication. Most of the risks that it brings can be reduced or removed by adapting lifestyle and using appropriate medication to maintain normal pressure levels. Even the usual increase in blood pressure that occurs with age in the developed world can be prevented or reversed with the right intervention.
Written by Claire Jackson.
02/06/2009