High blood pressure otherwise known as hypertension rarely shows up with any noticeable symptoms. But if left untreated can increase your risk of developing serious problems such as heart attacks and strokes.
Did you know that one in four adults in the UK have high blood pressure although many are unaware, this is where hypertension when left unchecked can strike down a person in their prime, when ultimately it can be managed or eliminated from a persons life and increase life expectancy.
As an employer its one of the crucial things to have monitored especially if your employees work in high risk areas such as at heights, confined spaces or drive company vehicles or plant equipment. Follow the link to see what Safewell’s occupational health screening can do to help you as an employer manage your employees welfare.
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What is High Blood Pressure
Your blood pressure is recorded with two numbers, the systolic and diastolic. The systolic being the higher number, this is the force at which your heart pumps blood around your body. Then you have the diastolic being the lower number which is the resistance to the flow of blood in the blood vessels themselves.
These two numbers are both measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg)
A general guide:
High blood pressure is considered to be around 140/90mmHg or higher
Ideal blood pressure is considered to be between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg
Low blood pressure is considered to be 90/60mmHg or below
A blood pressure reading that is between 120/80mmHg and 140/90mmHg could mean you’re at an increased risk of developing high blood pressure if you don’t take steps to manage your lifestyle and keep your blood pressure under control.
What are the Risks of High Blood Pressure
Having high blood pressure can increase your risk of serious and potentially life-threatening conditions. If your blood pressure is too high it can put extra strain on your blood vessels, heart and other organs, such as the brain, eyes and kidneys.
List of serious conditions.
Heart Disease
Heart Attacks
Strokes
Heart Failure
Peripheral Arterial Disease
Aortic Aneurysms
kidney Disease
Vascular Dementia
If you do find out you have high blood pressure, just reducing it by even a small amount can help dramatically lower your risk of developing these conditions.
Reducing Your Blood Pressure
Making the following lifestyle changes can help prevent and lower high blood pressure:
Reduce your salt intake and eat a balanced healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables
Cut down your alcohol intake
Lose weight if you’re overweight
Take regular exercise (at least 20 minutes a day to raise your heart rate)
Reduce your caffeine intake
Quit smoking
Try to get seven or more hours sleep a night
Sometimes even with all these adjustments to your lifestyle you may still help from one or more medicines to manage your blood pressure from getting too high.
When Did you Last Check your Blood Pressure
The only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to have a blood pressure test.
All adults over 40 years of age are advised to have their blood pressure checked at least every five years. Its easy to do and there are a number of places to get this done…
Your GP surgery
Some pharmacies offer this service
As part of your NHS health check
In some workplaces
Alternatively you can check your blood pressure yourself with a home blood pressure monitor.
Blood Pressure Medication
If you’ve been diagnosed with high blood pressure, your doctor may recommend that you take one or more medicines to keep it under control. They are usually required to be taken once daily, sometimes twice.
Common blood pressure medications include:
ACE inhibitors – such as Enalapril, Lisinopril, Perindopril and Ramipril
Angiotensin-2 receptor blockers (ARBs) – such as Candesartan, Irbesartan,Iosartan, Valsartan and Olmesartan
Calcium Channel Blockers – such as Amlodipine, Felodipine and Nifedipine or Diltiazem and Verapamil
Diuretics – such as Indapamide and Bendroflumethiazide
Beta-Blockers – such as Atenolol and Bisoprolol
Aplpha-Blockers – such as Doxazosin
Renin inhibitors – such as Aliskiren
Other diuretics – such as Amiloride and Spironolactone
The medication recommended for you is dependent on factors such as your age and how high your blood pressure is.
What are the Causes of High Blood Pressure
What causes high blood pressure isn’t always clear, but there are certain things that can increase your risk.
You’re at an increased risk of high blood pressure if you::
are over the age of 65
are overweight or obese
are of African or Caribbean descent
have a relative with high blood pressure
eat too much salt and don’t eat enough fruit and vegetables
don’t do enough exercise
drink to much alcohol or coffee (or other caffeine-based drinks)
smoke
have less than 7 hours of sleep a night or have disturbed sleep
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