It’s here again, know Your Numbers week! Here at Whitworth, we are encouraging people to get their numbers checked for free in our community pharmacies, to help prevent severe and potentially fatal illnesses and conditions.
Don’t miss out on your chance to partake in the 22nd anniversary of the UK’s biggest blood pressure testing awareness event in collaboration with Blood Pressure UK https://www.bloodpressureuk.org/know-your-numbers/
When the heart beats, blood is circulated around the body delivering energy and oxygen it needs to function. As the heart pumps blood around the body, it applies pressure against the arteries walls, this is what is referred to as Systolic blood pressure the first number.
The second number is known as diastolic blood pressure, which is the pressure in the arteries as the heart rests in between beats.
If your blood pressure becomes too high, it may cause excess strain on the vessels and heart, this is what is known as high blood pressure, which and if left unchecked can cause an array of health risks such as:
♡ Heart attack
♡ Stroke
♡ Heart Failure
♡ Dementia
♡ Kidney problems
♡ Aortic aneurysm
♡ Peripheral arterial disease
♡ Kidney disease
Those over 40 are at a heightened risk of developing high blood pressure. Therefore, to monitor and maintain your health, it is important to get regular blood pressure checks, be it using a home blood pressure monitor, visiting your local Whitworth pharmacy branch or seeing your GP.
How do you measure your blood pressure?
To measure your blood pressure, you need to use a blood pressure monitor. This is done by placing an inflatable cuff around your bare upper arm or wrist depending on the monitor. It is then automatically or manually inflated till no blood can continue to flow through the vessels. Slowly the air is released to allow the blood to start flowing again, this then allows a measurement to be taken which is presented in terms of numbers.
Blood pressure number explained
Your Blood pressure measurement is represented by two sets of numbers, for example 120/80.
The first number is known as Systolic blood pressure. This is the measurement of the force of your blood against the vessel’s walls when the ventricles (the lower two chamber of the heart) are pumping blood round the circulatory system.
The second number is your diastolic blood pressure. It is the resistance to blood flow in the blood vessels. This reading is generated when the heart rests between beats.
What is high blood pressure?
You have high blood pressure when one of your readings is higher than the average which is usually 140/90 or 150/90 if you're over the age of 80. This is universal and applicable to all ages, be that someone in their teens or twilight years.
If your blood pressure reading is high this is not always indicative that there is a problem and call for alarm. This can be affected by many external factors such as some foods, beverages, and physical exercise.
If you are concerned and believe there could be an issue, it may be a good idea to take multiple readings over a short period of time (a few days to a week) to get a better understanding of your numbers. If your readings continue to remain high, you should contact your Local Pharmacy or GP to verify the numbers and determine if any further action is needed.
Warning signs of high blood pressure
The reason high blood pressure is so dangerous is the limited symptoms you experience. Some people don’t develop any noticeable symptoms and don’t realise they have high blood pressure till they suffer a stroke or heart attack. Therefore, it is dubbed the silent killer!
The only way to truly know if you have high blood pressure is to get a blood pressure check. Symptoms of high blood pressure may come in the form of-
♥Blurred vision
♥Nosebleeds
♥Shortness of breath
♥Chest pain
♥Dizziness
♥Headaches
Seek advice from your GP If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms.
Low blood pressure
Low blood pressure is also known as hypotension and is represented of a reading lower than 90/60. Generally, it isn’t a cause for concern.
Nonetheless, for some individuals this can be indicative of an underlying health problem, particularly If there is a sudden drop in blood pressure or if it is in tandem with-
♥Light headedness or dizziness
♥Feeling sick
♥Blurred vision
♥Generally feeling weak
♥Confusion
♥Fainting
Seek advice from your GP If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms.
How to maintain a health blood pressure?
The key to preventing high blood pressure is to maintain a healthy lifestyle, there are numerous steps you can take that can aid you in maintaining a stable blood pressure. A healthy lifestyle can also prevent you from developing other health issues as time passes. To minimalise the risk of developing high blood pressure check out the steps below-
♥Exercise- Exercise is one of the most effective ways to maintain healthy blood pressure. When you exercise the body releases a substance known as nitric acid, this causes the arteries to widen in turn reducing blood pressure. It also relieves stress; helps you lose weight and strengthens the heart muscle.
♥Shake the salt & maintain a healthy diet- To maintain a healthy diet you shouldn’t consume anymore than 5g of salt (sodium) a day. High salt consumption can cause your blood pressure to increase. Try eating a diet rich in fruits, veggies, low-fat dairy, nuts, poultry, and fish
♥Bin the booze- Excessive drinking can take its toll on your blood pressure. It is recommended to prevent this you should consume a maximum of 14 units per week.
♥Give up smoking- One of smoking’s associated risks is high blood pressure. Smoking damages the arteries which causes atherosclerosis this causes them to narrow and puts stress on the heart
♥Lose weight- Being overweight means that your heart needs to work harder. This in turns increases your risk of developing high blood pressure as well as a range of other health issues. Dropping 10Lbs (pounds) can help your blood pressure go back down.
Know your numbers
You may lead a healthy lifestyle but its still crucial to understand and be aware of your blood pressure numbers. It is the key to unlocking knowledge of your body’s workings and condition of your health. Even more so as you get older. The more aware you are the less likely you are to run into severe and potentially life limiting illnesses.
We make knowing your blood pressure numbers simple! Pop into your local Whitworth pharmacy for our free blood pressure reading service or visit us online to purchase a blood pressure monitor.
https://whitworthchemists.co.uk/
*Data sourced from
