FAQs
Whilst the causes of high blood pressure are not always clear, there are certain things that can increase your risk including if you:
• Are over 65 years old
• Are overweight
• Have a relative with high blood pressure
• Eat too much salt
• Do not exercise enough
• Drink too much alcohol or caffeine
• Smoke
• Do not get enough sleep
• Have obstructive sleep apnoea
High blood pressure is a reading of 140/90mmHg or higher. Blood pressure readings between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg are considered ideal although everyone’s ‘ideal’ blood pressure result will be slightly different. Measuring blood pressure can be hard to do properly. Many patients have artificially high pressure if measured inaccurately.
Having high blood pressure puts extra strain on your blood vessels, heart and the brain, kidneys and eyes.
If high blood pressure persists, it can increase your risk of a number of serious and life-threatening health conditions including:
• Heart disease
• Heart attacks
• Strokes
• Heart failure
• Peripheral arterial disease
• Aortic aneurysms
• Kidney disease
• Vascular dementia
Blood pressure needs treatment if it is too high, to reduce the risk of stroke or heart failure.
• Lifestyle changes – lose weight, reduce salt, increase fresh vegetables and fruit, reduce fat.
• Treating possible causes – for example Obstructive Sleep Apnoea
• Medication – many drugs are available, and will be tailored to your condition
• Renal Denervation – not yet a cure, but will be considered in resistant Hypertension
Investigation:
To investigate the causes of your high blood pressure, we can carry out the following tests:
• Blood tests
• ECG
• Echocardiogram
• Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring