Have you had your blood pressure measured recently?

Written by Callum Higgins, Wellbeing Physiologist at Health Partners

Have you had your blood pressure measured recently? 

You could be one of the millions of individuals in the UK currently living with undiagnosed high blood pressure. It is estimated that 5 million people in the UK are blissfully unaware of this chronic health condition which can strain your heart, damage blood vessels, and significantly increase your risk of heart attack, stroke and kidney disease. It is vital to monitor and have regularly checks as high blood pressure is known as the ‘silent killer’ due to having no signs or symptoms, until it suddenly causes serious damage to the body. 

Would you like to know how to avoid being one of these statistics? Know Your Numbers!

We know life can be busy and hectic but by measuring your blood pressure with your GP, Occupational Health Advisor or even by yourself at home, provides multiple benefits such as: 

• Early detection: Early detection of hypertension enables timely intervention thus helping to reduce the risk of severe health concerns and complications in the future.
• Informed treatment decisions: Provides a more comprehensive picture of your blood pressure patterns, which helps make informed decisions about your treatment plan.
• Increased involvement: Empowers individuals to take an active role in managing their health and working with their healthcare team to achieve better outcomes. 

Globally, hypertension is one of the leading causes of preventable death. Knowing your numbers gives you the power to act, giving you the opportunity to identify any issue before they escalate. The good news is, high blood pressure can be reversed, whether it’s improving diet quality, increasing physical activity or starting medication if needed.

So what is blood pressure? Blood pressure is the force exerted by circulating blood on the walls of your arteries. It is measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg) and recorded as two numbers. The first or 'systolic' pressure, represents the force when your heart contracts and pumps blood. The second or 'diastolic' pressure, measures the force when your heart is at rest between beats.

Your numbers will allow you to be able to identify what category your blood pressure falls within. It will be categorised into one of the following; low, healthy, elevated or high blood pressure. 

• <90/60 - Low blood pressure (hypotension)
• 90/60 - 120/80 - Optimal
• 120/80 – 140/90 - Elevated (pre-hypertensive)
• >140/90 - High (hypertensive) 

Here are some useful tips to remember when testing blood pressure to ensure a valid and reliable reading.

1. Sit correctly: Sit in a chair with your back supported, feet flat on the floor, and arm resting at chest level.
2. Stay calm and still: Relax for 5 minutes before measuring and avoid talking or moving during the reading.
3. Avoid consumption of stimulants prior to testing: Alcohol, caffeine and nicotine can all elevate blood pressure.
4. Avoid activity beforehand: Refrain from exercising for at least 30 minutes prior to measuring.
5. Measure at the same time daily: Take your readings at consistent times, morning and evening would be best practice, to track trends accurately.
6. Take multiple readings: Record at least two readings, spaced about a minute apart, you can calculate the average.
7. Keep a record: Log your results, including the date and time, and any notes about your activities or feelings, this may be important if you need to consult your GP or healthcare professional. 

A quick check on your blood pressure readings could be vital. Don’t wait – take the first step towards a healthier future today.