Your blood pressure is recorded with two numbers. The systolic pressure (higher number) shows the force at which your heart pumps blood around your body. The diastolic pressure (lower number) indicates the resistance to the blood flow in the blood vessels caused by narrowing or hardening of the arteries. Both are measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg). If, when you're blood pressure is regulated, you're deemed to have high blood pressure, you could be at risk of all sorts of health conditions. Our GP service in Manilva wants you to know and understand these risks so that you make a change to your lifestyle and start to live healthier.
A General Guide to Blood Pressure
- High blood pressure is classed as anything measuring at 140/90mmHg or higher (or 150/90mmHg or higher if you're over the age of 80).
- Ideally, you should have a blood pressure of between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg.
- Blood pressure readings between 120/80mmHg and 140/90mmHg could indicate a higher than normal risk of developing high blood pressure if you don't make some changes and take control of the situation.
There will always be slight differences in everyone's blood pressure and what's considered, high, low or normal may change from person to person. The above numbers just provide a rough guide for you to be aware of. Our GP service in Manilva will talk you through what your blood pressure should be and if they think you might be at risk or any health issues as a result of your blood pressure.
Risks of High Blood Pressure
Here are some of the risks our GP service in Manilva want you to be aware of so that you avoid raising your blood pressure by too much.
Damage to Your Arteries
Healthy arteries are flexible and strong. Their inner lining is smooth to allow blood to flow freely around the body. If you have high blood pressure, the pressure of blood flowing through your arteries will gradually increase. This could lead to:
- damaged and narrowed arteries
- aneurysms.
Damage to Your Heart
Your heart is responsible for pumping blood around your entire body. High blood pressure puts extra strain on your heart and leaves it vulnerable to various health conditions. These include:
- coronary artery disease
- enlarged left heart
- heart attacks
- heart failure.
Damage to Your Brain
Your brain needs to be nourished with a healthy blood supply to work properly and survive. Having high blood pressure can put extra pressure on your brain and lead to health issues such as:
- transient ischemic attack (TIA) also known as a mini-stroke
- stroke
- dementia
- mild cognitive impairment.
Damage to Your Kidneys
Your kidneys are responsible for filtering excess fluid and waste from your blood. They depend on healthy blood vessels in order to perform properly. Having high blood pressure can cause:
- several types of kidney disease
- kidney failure
- kidney scarring (glomerulosclerosis)
- kidney artery aneurysm.
Call on our GP service in Manilva to find out whether you’re at risk of developing high blood pressure and get all the advice you need on how to prevent or manage it.