High blood pressure (hypertension)

High blood pressure or hypertension is a condition that many people suffer from but don’t know. It increases your risk of serious problems such as heart attacks and strokes so it pays never to ignore the symptoms even if they are not noticeable at first glance- though an elevated reading won’t hurt unless you’re experiencing severe pain!

The only way for individuals who suspect this issue could arise because of high readings on their own should have themselves checked out by doctors immediately; otherwise, things might progress past the treatable stage easily having dire consequences down line (or upwards).

What is high blood pressure?

Blood pressure is the life force that keeps you going. You have two numbers to measure it with, but they’re not as simple or straightforward as one might think: The systolic pressure (higher number) measures your heart’s ability to pump blood around while diastolic indicates how easily this same motion occurs in any given vessel(s).

They’re both measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg).

As a guide:

The ideal blood pressure range is between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg

High blood pressure is 140/90mmHg of higher. ( 150/90mmHg of higher for the elderly 80 years and over )

Your blood pressure readings between 120/80mmHg and 140/90mmHg could mean you’re at risk of developing high blood pressure if you do not take steps to keep it under control.

You might have high blood pressure, but it could be normal for you. Your readings may vary from one person to another and what’s considered low or high is relative based on who has access to better healthcare resources in their community

What are the risks of high blood pressure?

High blood pressure can increase your risk of a number of serious and potentially life-threatening health conditions. For example, if left untreated it puts extra strain on the brain (cerebrovascular disease), kidneys( calculous renal pelvis), heart muscle(ischemic cardiomyopathy) eyesight/nearsightedness due to an increased workload placed onto these organs that may lead them towards not working properly like before or even worse:

• heart disease
• heart attacks
• strokes
• heart failure
• peripheral arterial disease
• aortic aneurysms
• kidney disease
• vascular dementia

If you have high blood pressure, reducing it even a small amount can help lower your risk of these health conditions.

How to check your blood pressure

Blood pressure is one of the most important things you can have checked for because it could save your life. All adults over 40 need to get this done at least once every five years, and some may even be recommended more often than that as a precautionary measure by their doctor or nurse practitioner due to certain risk factors like obesity (which leads directly into diabetes). So make sure not only do I ask if they’re checking mine today; but also when was last time!?

You can have your blood pressure checked by our pharmacist at Asset Pharmacy

You can also check your blood pressure with a home blood pressure monitor

What can increase your risk of getting high blood pressure?

High blood pressure is a complicated disease that can be caused by many factors. If you’re beginning to show symptoms, it’s important for your health and well-being not only take care of yourself but also figure out what causes them so they don’t continue – as there could be underlying problems in need of treatment!

You might be more at risk if you:

• are overweight
• eat too much salt and do not eat enough fruit and vegetables
• do not do enough exercise
• drink too much alcohol or coffee (or other caffeine-based drinks)
• smoke
• do not get much sleep or have disturbed sleep
• are over 65
• have a relative with high blood pressure
• are of black African or black Caribbean descent
• live in a deprived area

Making healthy lifestyle changes can sometimes help reduce your chances of getting high blood pressure and help lower your blood pressure if it’s already high.

What is the treatment for High blood pressure?

Doctors are on hand to help you keep your blood pressure at a safe level using:

1. lifestyle changes
2. To keep your blood pressure in a safe range, doctors can prescribe medication. Most medications have different strengths and durations for use.

What works best for you may be different from what others do. Talk to your doctor and he or she will help decide on the right course of action that’s right for YOU!

What lifestyles changes you can make to reduce your blood pressure?

Lifestyle changes are one of the most effective ways to prevent and lower high blood pressure. These include:

• reduce the amount of salt you eat and have a generally healthy diet
• cut back on alcohol 
• lose weight if you’re overweight
• exercise regularly
• cut down on caffeine
• stop smoking

What medicines are used for high blood pressure?

High blood pressure can be a life-threatening condition if not treated. If you’re diagnosed, your doctor may recommend taking 1 or more medicines to keep it under control and these come in tablets that need to be taken once daily

Some people who have high blood pressure may also need to take medicines that will help keep it under control.

Common blood pressure medicines include: Click here

• ACE inhibitors – such as enalapril, lisinopril, perindopril and ramipril
• angiotensin-2 receptor blockers (ARBs) – such as candesartan, irbesartan, losartan, 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
• alpha blockers – such as doxazosin
• other diuretics – such as amiloride and spironolactone

The medicine recommended for you will depend on things like how high your blood pressure is, your age