High blood pressure, or hypertension, is much more common than you may imagine. It’s estimated that around 40% of adults in the UK and approximately a third of adults in the USA have hypertension.

Blood pressure is defined as the pressure which is placed upon the walls of the arteries as blood passes through them. It is measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg) and is normally represented by two numbers.

Systolic pressure is the pressure which is present whilst the heart beats and blood is being pumped around the body. This is usually the first number given and is the higher of the two numbers.

Diastolic pressure is the pressure measured when the heart is resting between beats. This is the second number and is the lower of the two values.

So when a doctor or nurse advises you that your blood pressure is “120 over 80”, or you see 120/80 mmHg written in your medical report, it means that your systolic pressure is 120 millimetres of mercury and your diastolic pressure is 80 millimetres of mercury.

High blood pressure is normally defined as having a sustained blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg or higher – although this definition may vary in some countries.

Often there are no signs of high blood pressure and it may go undetected. It is frequently noticed during routine medical examination or as a consequence of testing due to some other ailment. It is a serious risk factor in the onset of cardiovascular disease – conditions which may affect the circulation of blood around the body, e.g. stroke, heart disease etc.

When you have hypertension, your heart needs to work more to force the blood around your body. Over time this increased strain can weaken your heart. The additional pressure can also damage the walls of the arteries, which may result in a blockage or cause the artery to split – a haemorrhage. Either of these conditions might result in a stroke.

There is no single identifiable cause for increased blood pressure in 95% of cases. However, the available evidence shows that, in addition to age, lifestyle factors play a crucial role in dictating your blood pressure. Excessive alcohol consumption, poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking and obesity are just some of the known risk factors.

Clearly medication exists which can help reduce your blood pressure – but, as with any medication there can be side effects and there will always be some unlucky patients who do not respond to drugs. Modifications to your lifestyle, like eating a healthier diet, taking regular exercise, cutting your alcohol intake, quitting smoking and losing some weight can be very effective in improving your blood pressure.

Many people might also find meditation, self hypnosis and other relaxation exercises to be of benefit. In addition to these more conventional methods, recent clinical evidence shows that paced breathing, guided by electronically controlled cues triggered by bio feedback can quickly yield sustainable reductions in blood pressure levels. FDA approved equipment such as resperate are now freely available to hypertension sufferers and offer an clinically proven drug free treatment.

In summary, hypertension is more common than you may realise and, due to its lack of visible symptoms, you should have your blood pressure checked by a medical professional on a regular basis.

If you do find that you have high blood pressure then you will be able to improve the situation by making some relatively simple lifestyle changes. Even if you are prescribed drugs then the lifestyle modifications will be effective and many will have other health benefits as well.

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