HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE (HYPERTENSION) BLOG POST

 Having Hypertension for a number of years now I thought I would write a blog post on the condition, this might help others if they think they might have high blood pressure.

Correct Blood Pressure Reading:
Use this handy chart:

Data supplied by NHS
www.eastbasildonpcn.nhs.uk/news/blood-pressure-measurement/

Home Blood Pressure Monitors are not very expensive to buy and these type are very accurate – this one includes Bluetooth Connectivity so you can send the blood pressure check figures to an app on your mobile phone and track your blood pressure
https://healthxpress.ie/products/omron-m2-intelli-it-automatic-blood-pressure-monitor-22-42-cm-cuff

IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, OR YOU HAVE BEEN TAKING YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE AT HOME WITH ONE OF THESE DEVICES AND IT READS THAT YOU HAVE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE A LOT OF THE TIME TAKE A TRIP TO YOUR LOCAL GP. DISCUSS YOUR CONCERNS WITH YOUR GP AND ASK IF IT WOULD BE WORTH BEING FITTED WITH A 24HR BLOD PRESSURE MONITOR LIKE ONE OF THESE.

YOU WILL WEAR THE DEVICE AROUND YOUR WAIST (IT COMES IN A CASE) AND THE CUFF ON YOUR ARM WILL INFLATE NORMALLY THROUGHOUT THE DAY EVERY HALF HOUR AND EVERY HOUR AT NIGHT TIME (YOU WEAR IT WHILST YOU ARE ASLEEP TOO)

THE NEXT DAY YOU TAKE THE DEVICE BACK TO THE GP WHERE THEY WILL DOWNLOAD THE RECORDED DATA FROM THE DEVICE AND IT WILL GIVE THEM DETAIL OF YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE READINGS OVER THE 24HRS.

– IF YOU HAVE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE THE GP MAY SUGGEST WAYS TO LOWER YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE TO A SAFE LEVEL. MOST OF THE TIME IF IT IS NOT DANGEROUSLY HIGH THEY WILL SUGGEST LIFESTYLE CHANGES WHICH WILL INCLUDE MODERATE EXCERCISE (EVEN WALKING IS GOOD) , CHANGING YOUR DIET (CUTTING OUT SALT AND PROCESSED FOODS) AND GETTING PLENTY OF SLEEP AND RELIEVING STRESS, GIVING UP OR CUTTING DOWN ON SMOKING AND REDUCING OR CUTTING OUT ALCOHOL –

IF YOU TRY ALL THIS AND YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE STILL REMAINS HIGH THEN THEY MAY PRESCRIBE YOU SOME BLOOD PRESSURE MEDICATION TO HELP LOWER YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE.

NORMALLY THEY WILL START YOU OFF WITH THE LOWEST DOSE NEEDED AND KEEP MONITORING YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE REGULARLY AND ADJUST YOUR MEDICATION AFTER A WHILE UNTIL YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE FIGURE FALLS INTO SAFE LEVELS .

ITS RARE, BUT IF AFTER ADJUSTING YOUR DIET AND LIFESTYLE AND MEDICATION AND YOU STILL HAVE DANGEROUSLY HIGH LEVELS OF BLOOD PRESSURE THEN FURTHER INVESTIGATION WILL BE NEEDED TO SEE WHAT IS CAUSING/UNDERLYING ISSUE WITH YOUR HEALTH THAT IS CAUSING YOUR LEVEL TO REMAIN HIGH (THIS IS CALLED RESISTANT HYPERTENSION)

IF YOU DO NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT YOUR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE IT COULD CAUSE A STROKE, OR HEART ATTACK OR DAMAGE VITAL ORGANS IN YOUR BODY SO IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT SOONER THAN LATER.

IT IS ALSO A MYTH THAT ONLY OLDER PEOPLE CAN HAVE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE IT CAN HAPPEN TO YOUNGER PEOPLE TOO – IF YOU HAVE NOT GOT A BLOOD PRESSURE DEVICE AND YOU HAVENT BEEN TO THE DOCTORS FOR A CHECKUP FOR A LONG TIME AND YOU HAVE ANY OR SOME OF THESE SYMPTOMS:

HEADACHES/DIZZINESS,
FLUTTERING HEARTBEAT,
PRESSURE FEELING BEHIND THE EYES
RED FLUSHED FACE,
SWELLING ESPECIALLY IN YOUR ANKLES, LEGS OR OTHER PARTS OF YOUR BODY
REGULAR NOSE BLEEDS

ITS TIME TO GET YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKED AND SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE. SOME CHEMISTS WILL CHECK YOUR BP (BLOOD PRESSURE FOR FREE) IF YOU DONT FANCY POPPING ALONG TO YOUR GP. BUT DONT IGNORE IT.

The Content here is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your GP/doctor or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding medical conditions
The images and other content on this blog post are all the property of respective owners must not be copied ©2025 – there are no endorsements from any companies for this blog post, and the post is not sponsored by anyone.