High blood pressure

High blood pressure is known as hypertension. It means your blood pressure is consistently too high and means that your heart has to work harder to pump blood around your body.

High blood pressure can lead to heart and circulatory diseases like heart attack or stroke. It also may lead to kidney failure, heart failure, problems with your sight and vascular dementia.

Most people develop high blood pressure because of their diet, lifestyle, or medical condition. Hypertension can also be inherited within the family.

Systolic pressure: This is the highest level of your blood pressure – when your heart beats and contracts to pump blood through your arteries.

Diastolic pressure: This is the lowest level of your blood pressure – when your heart relaxes between beats.

Your blood pressure should be under 140/90 mmHg.

If you have a BP reading outside the normal limits you may require home monitoring or an Ambulatory BP Unit (ABU) may be requested to confirm your diagnosis of hypertension.

The following can increase your risk of getting high blood pressure:

• Drinking too much alcohol or Smoking
• Being overweight and lack of exercise
• Having kidney disease or diabetes

If you have any issues or queries regarding your Blood Pressure or would like to see a Cardiologist regarding treatment to reduce your BP, please contact one of our experienced cardiac nurses at Ascot Cardiology Group.