WHAT IS BLOOD PRESSURE?
 

When the heart pumps it exerts forces on the walls of the blood vessels which can be measured. Systolic blood pressure occurs when the heart contracts and forces blood out into circulation. When the heart relaxes and refills the pressure on the blood vessel walls decreases, this is known as diastolic blood pressure. Therefore blood pressure is measured as two readings (e.g. 120/80mmHg).

Blood pressure varies depending on a host of factors to meet the body’s ever changing needs.

To be in the normal range, resting blood pressure should be less than 130/85mmHg. If resting blood pressure is consistently high then interventions need to be taken to lower it. High blood pressure is often referred to as “the silent killer” because the symptoms of high blood pressure are so subtle and progressive that the first indication of a problem may not be apparent until CVD is well progressed. In fact, elevated blood pressure accounts for about 25% of the risk of heart attack, is the leading cause of stroke and can cause heart and kidney failure.

Blood pressure readings, particularly in at risk people, should be taken regularly to form a typical profile of such individuals. Little can be determined from a one off reading.
 

WHAT INCREASES BLOOD PRESSURE?

The causes of high blood pressure (HBP) are wide and varied and can include narrowing of the blood vessels, a greater than normal blood volume and elevated heart rate – all of which exert a greater than normal pressure against the blood vessel walls. If left unchecked, this increased strain over time increases the risk of CVD significantly.

WHAT PROBLEMS DOES HBP CAUSE?

• Damaged vessel walls throughout the body. This is most apparent where the vessels are the most narrow and fragile (e.g. Brain and eyes).
• Over time HBP causes a thickening and decreased pliability of vessel walls.
• HBP promotes atherosclerosis – the build up of plague inside artery walls narrowing the arteries and impairing blood flow (and hence oxygen and nutrients) to tissues.

CONTROLLING HBP.

Modify lifestyle habits. Specifically:

• Move! Regular physical activity can lower body pressure significantly by lowering muscle tension caused be stress, improving sleep patterns and improving mood and concentration.
• Lose weight if overweight or obese. A 5-10% weight-loss will significantly improve your health.
• Lower your alcohol consumption. Consuming more than 2 standard drinks per day increases the risk of HBP three times more than non-drinkers. The higher the alcohol intake the higher the risk of HBP. Lowering alcohol consumption will lower blood pressure readings.
• Restrict salt intake. Most Australians eat more salt than is required. Lowering the consumption of processed foods and adding less salt to your cooking are both beneficial practices.
• Give up smoking. Smoking increases blood pressure and increases the detrimental effects of HBP by accelerating the effects of atherosclerosis. The combination of smoking and HBP is lethal.
• Relax. Emotional stress raises blood pressure immediately and sharply. Learning relaxation techniques such as yoga, mediation may be beneficial however at present there is no medical substantiation for these practices.