Skip to content

High Blood Pressure

What are the risks of high blood pressure?

High blood pressure can put additional strain on several organs including; heart, blood vessels, kidneys, brain and even your eyes. Long term hypertension can lead to a number of potentially life-threatening conditions including:

  • Heart attacks
  • Strokes
  • Peripheral arterial disease
  • Heart disease
  • Vascular dementia
  • Aortic aneurysms

What are the causes of high blood pressure?

It is uncertain what can cause high blood pressure however certain lifestyle and situational circumstances increase your risk

  • Smoking
  • Obese or overweight
  • Eating too much salt and not enough fruit and vegetables
  • Not enough sleep
  • Over the age of 65
  • Do little or no exercise
  • Have a relation with high blood pressure

How can I reduce high blood pressure?

Mainly lifestyle changes can affect your blood pressure:

  • Cut back on alcohol
  • Check and monitor your blood pressure regularly
  • Lose weight (if needed)
  • Reduce the amount of salt in your diet
  • Try to have at least six hours of sleep

 

Source: NHS