High Blood Pressure

The importance of high blood pressure awareness

The blood pressure is the pressure at which the heart pumps blood through the veins and arteries. Whilst a blood pressure is essential, many risks are posed if it is too high - for example, blood vessel damage or clot, which in turn can lead to a heart attack or stroke. Hypertension is a growing concern as it now affects between 25-35% of the adult population and up to 60-70% of the over 70s.

A blood pressure test can help determine the risk of heart attack or stroke.

It is measured using a cuff round the upper arm that is inflated and then deflated. Two readings are taken - the highest (systolic) pressure in the artery at the elbow, and the lowest (diastolic) pressure. The readings are measured in mmhg (millimetres of mercury) and the results are presented in numeric form as systolic/diastolic. Targets of less than 120/80 are generally sought, particularly in patients with other cardiovascular risk factors. A blood pressure reading of over 140/90 is cause for further investigation.

The diastolic figure is the strongest predictor of cardiovascular risk in patients less than 50 years of age, whilst for the over 60s, the pulse pressure (the difference between systolic and diastolic pressures) is more important. 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring refines the ability to make a diagnosis as it provides a greater number of measurements and is relatively free of bias.

There are many different causes for hypertension, many of them genetic, but it is often found with other cardiovascular risk factors such as abdominal obesity, abnormal cholesterol profiles, insulin resistance, diabetes and high uric acid levels.

The most frequent complication of hypertension in middle-aged Caucasians is coronary heart disease while in Asians and older people it is mainly stroke. Hypertension is a major problem in black people where pressures and mortality rates are higher than in other people. Other major complications include heart and kidney failure.

The main goal of all antihypertensive medication is to prevent the cardiovascular and renal complications associated with a high blood pressure and to extend longevity and improve quality of life. The need to start treatment increases if other risk factors for cardiovascular disease are present.

London Medical also treats patients with the following heart-reated conditions:

• High cholesterol
• Abdominal obesity
• Insulin resistance