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Blood pressure is the pressure of blood on the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps blood around your body. Blood pressure does not stay the same all the time. It changes to meet your body’s needs and it is normal for your blood pressure to go up and down throughout the day. It is affected by various factors, including body position, breathing, emotional state, exercise and sleep. The medical name for high blood pressure is hypertension. The medical name for low blood pressure is hypotension. What blood pressure numbers meanBlood pressure is recorded as two numbers, such as 120/80. The larger number is the pressure in the arteries as the heart pumps out blood during each beat. This is called the systolic blood pressure. Measuring blood pressureIt is best to measure blood pressure when you are relaxed and sitting. Blood pressure is usually measured with an inflatable pressure cuff that wraps around your upper arm. This cuff is part of a machine called a sphygmomanometer. Your blood pressure changes to meet your body’s needs. If a reading is high, your doctor may measure your blood pressure again on several separate occasions before diagnosing high blood pressure. Your doctor may recommend that you have your blood pressure recorded at home with a monitoring device. This is also known as 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and it involves measuring your blood pressure at regular intervals (usually every 20-30 minutes), while you do your usual activities including sleeping. Your doctor will organise this service if required. If you are considering buying a blood pressure device to use at home, it is best to speak to your doctor to see if this is needed. If so, then buy a device that measures blood pressure accurately. See this list of devices that have been approved by the British and Irish Hypertension Society. Diagnosing high blood pressureWhat is considered a healthy blood pressure varies from person to person. Your doctor will explain what your ideal blood pressure is based on a range of factors, including your overall health.
High blood pressure usually does not have any symptoms. You can have high blood pressure and feel perfectly well. The only way to find out if your blood pressure is high is to have it checked regularly by your doctor. Low blood pressure can be a problem if it has a negative impact on your body or affects the way you feel. Low blood pressure can make people feel dizzy or faint. See you doctor if you think you have low blood pressure. Get regular blood pressure checksGet your blood pressure checked every two years if your blood pressure is in the healthy range and: Your doctor can also check your blood pressure during routine visits. You should have your blood pressure checked more frequently (such as every 12 months or as directed by your doctor) if:
You can also have your blood pressure checked as part of a Heart Health Check. A Heart Health Check is a 20-minute check up with your doctor (GP) which is subsidised by Medicare. You are eligible for a Heart Health Check if you:
As part of a Heart Health check, your doctor will:
Your doctor will then use this information to calculate your risk of having a heart attack or stroke over the next five years. Your doctor will then discuss how you can lower your risk. High blood pressure and your overall riskIf your blood pressure remains high, it can lead to serious conditions like a heart attack, heart failure, stroke or kidney disease. Your risk will depend on any other modifiable or non-modifiable risk factors you might have. Modifiable risk factors are factors that you can change. Non-modifiable risk factors are factors you can’t change. Heart attack and stroke risk factors that you can change include: There are also some health conditions that increase risk: Risk factors you can’t change include:
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples and people from some ethnic backgrounds (South Asian, Middle Eastern, Māori or Pacific Islander) are also at increased risk. Managing your blood pressureYour doctor will support you to make changes to manage your blood pressure: Your doctor may also recommend you take medicines to manage your blood pressure. Even if you need to take medicines, it’s still important for make healthy changes too. Tobacco smoking and blood pressureTobacco smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease and can increase blood pressure. Stopping smoking is one of the best things you can do to help manage your blood pressure. Every cigarette that you don’t smoke is doing you good. The most effective way to stop smoking is with a combination of:
There is also evidence that e-cigarettes can increase heart rate and blood pressure, which may increase the risk of heart disease. If you are ready to quit smoking or thinking about quitting smoking, talk to your doctor about ways to help you give up smoking. You can also call the (Tel. 13 78 48) Heart-healthy eating and blood pressureThe Heart Foundation recommends people follow a heart-healthy eating pattern. Heart-healthy eating is for managing blood pressure and reducing the risk of heart .
This way of eating is naturally low in unhealthy fats, salt and added sugar. It’s rich in wholegrains, fibre, antioxidants and healthy fats. Check out the Heart Foundation for a range of resources to help you follow a heart-healthy eating pattern. For individualised nutrition advice, you can also speak to an Accredited Practising . Salt intake and blood pressureSalt is a mineral made up of sodium and chloride. It’s the sodium in salt that is bad for your health. When looking at food labels on groceries, it is the sodium that is listed. Reducing the amount of salt you eat can help to manage your blood pressure. The Heart Foundation recommends five grams of salt (about a teaspoon) as a daily maximum. In addition to following a heart-healthy eating pattern, follow these top tips to reduce your salt intake:
Physical activity and blood pressureBeing physically active is a great way to manage your blood pressure and reduce your risk of heart disease. All types of physical activity count. Walking, cycling, swimming and yoga are all great for your health. It’s important to do activities you enjoy as you are more likely to keep active if you are having fun. It is recommended that you:
Walking for heart healthWalking is a great activity for heart health and managing blood pressure. Getting involved with a Heart Foundation Walking group is a fun and social way to be active. You can also register for a free Personal Walking Plan. Visit Heart Foundation Walking for more . Alcohol and blood pressureAlcohol isn’t a necessary or recommended part of a heart-healthy eating pattern. Drinking alcohol can increase blood pressure and the risk of heart disease. If you don’t drink alcohol, don’t start. If you do drink alcohol, the Heart Foundation recommends following the National Health and Medical Research Council’s (NHMRC) recommended levels of alcohol consumption:
Speak to your doctor for advice and support to cut down on alcohol. Medicines for high blood pressureare available to lower and manage high blood pressure. Your doctor may call them ‘antihypertensives’, (which basically means ‘anti’ – against and ‘hypertensive’ – high blood pressure). Medicines for high blood pressure can include:
These medicines help maintain a healthy blood pressure to improve the flow of oxygen and blood around the body. Some help the heart to pump more easily and efficiently. Taking blood pressure medicinesOnce you start to take medicines to manage your blood pressure, you may need to take them for the rest of your life. However, the dose of these medicines may change over time. If your doctor recommends you take blood pressure medicines, it’s still important to make healthy choices when it comes to your diet and physical activity. If you need to take medicines, your doctor will advise you on the correct type and dose. Two or more different medicines are often needed to manage blood pressure. Make sure you take your medicines regularly. Some things that may help you remember to take them include:
Take any blood pressure medicine exactly as prescribed. Don’t stop or change your medicine unless your doctor advises you to. Where to get help |