Blood Pressure - know your numbers

Blood pressure keeps blood and oxygen circulating. People with exceptionally low pressure are prone to faints, while abnormally high pressure means the heart has to work extremely hard to keep blood flowing.

Most of us have no idea about blood pressure - not only what our own level is, but even what the term means. But we should all try to find out, because high blood pressure is the most significant cause of strokes, and - with smoking, lack of exercise and being overweight - is also a major factor in heart attacks.

In the United Kingdom, each year , 100,000 people have a first stroke and 300,000 suffer a heart attack of whom almost a half will die. Experts say upto 10 million people have higher than normal blood pressure, but because there are no helpful warning signs, at least half are unaware of the potential risk.

Uncontrolled high blood pressure leads to structural changes in blood vessels and other body organs that increase the risk of clots, arteries furring up with fat and bleeds into the brain. It may also lead to heart or kidney failure.

The Heart of the matter:

• Blood pressure is usually recorded in millimetres of mercury as two numbers, for example 140/90. The top or "starting" number is the systolic pressure and records the force in the arteries as the heart beats. The lower number records the diastolic pressure in the arteries when the heart relaxes.
• Systolic pressure can range from 90 to as much as 200, and diastolic from 60 to 140.
• Pressure fluctuates throughout the day, and is a worry only if it is consistently high when you are relaxed.
• As a rule healthy people of all ages should aim to keep their blood pressure below 140/90. If yours is consistently between 140/90 and 160/100, doctors are likely to recommend modest dietary and other changes. This might well prevent - or delay - having to take drugs, which will almost certainly be recommended if your reading is consistently above 160/100.

Ways to help yourself:

• Eat more fibre foods
• Cut down on salt. Add as little as possible during cooking and none at the table.
• Regular exercise conditions and tones the body and lowers blood pressure.
• Lose weight. Being overweight puts strain on the heart and the arteries.
• Stay calm and sleep soundly. Studies show that transcendental meditation and yoga help to keep levels down.

Measure your own:

Although some doctors think that do-it-yourself checks with an over the counter electronic machine - available from Boots and other large pharmacies - encourage neurotics, the Blood Pressure Association (tel: 020 8725 0650) is in favour, though it does advise against rist monitors.

HIB - Health Advice