Each week our panel of experts answer all your most pressing health questions, and this week, nurse Gillian Fox has some top tips for those worrying about high blood pressure.
A reader asks: How can I tell if I am suffering from high blood pressure?
Gillian says: High blood pressure or hypertension means high pressure (tension) in the arteries.
Sometimes called the silent killer because it often causes no symptoms for many years, until it finally damages major organs and can lead to heart attacks or stroke.
Some people may experience symptoms such as headaches, dizziness , blurred vision, shortness of breath.
Only when symptoms occur do people often pay a visit to their GP, and by then some damage may have been done.
Often for people with hypertension, no specific cause is found but factors that are known to contribute and may adversely affect the health of someone with blood pressure are high salt intake, obesity, lack of regular exercise, excess of alcohol and smoking.
In some people high blood pressure can be caused by an abnormality in the body i.e. the kidney or major blood vessel abnormality.
Frequent blood pressure screening can identify undiagnosed high blood pressure before significant complications have developed.
Lifestyle adjustments in diet and exercise can help and in some cases medication can be given if needed to reduce the blood pressure, which can reduce the risk of heart attacks, stroke or kidney failure
FOR advice on blood pressure contact your GP or telephone Gillian on 01617721200