Blood Pressure

Vascular dementia and high blood pressure

2012-01-07T04:29:00.000-08:00

A cure is a long way off but new research shows that there is a lot you can do to help keep Alzheimer’s at bay. Source - The Times Appeal

High blood pressure and high cholesterol are strong risk factors particularly for vascular dementia, the second most common form after Alzheimer’s

Dr Anne Corbett lets slip a small sigh of frustration as we discuss the way that reports about “breakthrough cures” for dementia constantly fill the media. It is her role at the Alzheimer’s Society to try to leaven such breathless optimism with reality. The fact is, she says, we don’t have any cures for Alzheimer’s. And we are still a considerable way from them. What’s more, eating blueberries (or whatever the next “magic brain-boosting food” might be) won’t help, either.

Our popular belief in an instant cure is propelled by a huge weight of expectation. It feels only right that we should by now be curing dementia, which afflicts about 750,000 people in Britain. After all, in the past few decades there have been great advances in treatments for global scourges such as cancer and Aids. Yet Alzheimer’s remains stubbornly intractable. It was first identified in 1906, but we still don’t know exactly what causes it. Instead of cures, the past quarter of a century has brought false dawns. In 1986, scientists at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York claimed to have identified a protein, christened Alz-50, that caused the condition. They hailed it as the key to defeating the disease. They were sadly wrong. The same year, scientists at Toronto University pumped artificial chemical transmitters into the brains of 100 dementia patients to act as a mind-restoring “pacemaker”. It didn’t work.

On top of false hopes, we have had decades of groundless scares, most notoriously the belief in the 1990s that cooking with aluminium pans caused Alzheimer’s. This boosted the fortunes of scrap dealers and cookware stores, but saved no lives. Yet still we get false reassurance from regular “medical breakthrough” stories promising treatments that are only on the drawing board.

Nevertheless, we can do much to reduce our risk of Alzheimer’s and other common forms of dementia, explains Dr Corbett, the Alzheimer’s Society’s research communications manager. You can’t buy the answer, but you can be it — because all the evidence shows that adopting healthy habits in diet and exercise can work wonders.

The lesson is straightforward: your brain is the most complex piece of thinking equipment in the known Universe. Your body is its life-support system. The human brain is a very hungry piece of kit. While it constitutes only about 2 per cent of your body’s mass, it uses more than a fifth of its energy production. Efficient supply and maintenance are vital. If your physical health declines, your brain is in serious danger of following suit.

“This is why preventing dementia is all about everyday healthy living,” explains Dr Corbett. “We have strong evidence for what medical conditions increase your risk. They are high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, high cholesterol and depression. If you have these from midlife onwards you are at higher risk of dementia.”

Not only are high blood pressure and high cholesterol risk factors in themselves, they also significantly raise a person’s odds of suffering a stroke. One person in three who has a stroke will go on to develop dementia, she explains. “We are not entirely sure of the link yet, but the evidence is strong that if you prevent stroke, then you should prevent dementia.”

Diabetes is also strongly associated with dementia. “There may be good reasons for this,” Dr Corbett says. “People who develop type 2 diabetes in midlife are more likely to be overweight, to smoke or have an unhealthy lifestyle. There is also evidence that insulin plays a role in dementia. We are not sure exactly how yet, but it regulates chemical pathways in the brain that keep brain cells healthy. The important message with diabetes is that it is diagnosed early and treated well.

“If you can prevent those physical problems, you stand a very good chance of preventing dementia,” she adds. After all, genetics are responsible for only about a quarter of Alzheimer’s cases. The other major risk factor is clinical depression. This may precipitate chemical changes in the brain that are similar to those seen in dementia. “On top of this, people who are depressed may have lifestyles that are unhealthy and socially isolated,” says Dr Corbett.

Worryingly, Department of Health figures predict that cases of depression, diabetes and stroke will soar. For example, over the next 40 years, incidences of Alzheimer’s are expected to triple, according to a recent report in the journal Lancet Neurology.

A great deal of this could be prevented through simple and easy changes in habit. Just taking a little more exercise could make a huge difference for millions of people.

“More than 13 studies show that exercise can reduce risk by up to 45 per cent,” says Dr Corbett. “Evidence shows that the exercise does not have to be strenuous to have this benefit: it can involve active walking for around 30 minutes a day. The exercise just has to raise the heartbeat by a little.”

Adopting healthy eating habits can also significantly reduce the risk of dementia. The evidence from a range of studies indicates that Mediterranean-style diets work best because they are low in fat and salt and high in oily fish. And there is good news where drinks are concerned. “While we hesitate to say this, the evidence for alcohol reducing risk is good,” says Dr Corbett.

“The conclusion from 15 separate studies shows that moderate drinking (with the emphasis on moderate) may cut your dementia risk by around 25 per cent. There is a similar sort of rationale about caffeine in green tea and coffee, when drunk in moderate amounts.”

Enjoying your drinks in good company seems important, too. Evidence shows that being socially active may lower your risk of dementia. This is particularly true of people (men especially) after they retire, where they are at risk of becoming less engaged with others.

Similarly, in midlife, making friends with your GP is a good idea. High blood pressure and high cholesterol are strong risk factors particularly for vascular dementia, the second most common form after Alzheimer’s, so people are urged to have regular check ups both in the surgery and where possible by regular home monitoring. Getting a routine test for homocysteine levels in your blood can also make a real difference. Raised levels of this amino acid have been linked with loss of brain volume and dementia. But in a study last year, Professor Celeste de Jager, of Oxford University, found that taking vitamin B supplements can lower the danger significantly. In older people with high homocysteine, taking the supplement daily reduced their brain shrinkage by four fifths. The people taking extra B vitamins also did better in memory tests.

Some much-touted preventatives are, however, only myths. Beware any claim about a single food, says Dr Corbett. Only last year, an important report in the Journal of the American Medical Association punctured the idea that ginkgo biloba is a brain-saver. The study of more than 3,000 adults found that it made no difference at all.

Likewise, expensive computerised “brain-training games” have failed to prove any medical benefit. Studies show that you may get better at playing the games, but the benefits go no farther. It is the same with crosswords and Su Doku. They should be enjoyed for themselves, rather than taken as a substitute for a healthy diet and exercise.

For Dr Corbett, the most important message to put across is that preventing dementia involves doing things a little, and early. “It’s not too late to change your habits by the time you’re 50, but we are finding that early in midlife — in your forties — is the really critical time. That is when lifestyle-related risks begin to increase significantly.”

There is little point waiting instead for the medical cavalry to come charging over the horizon with a wonder cure. There won’t be one coming any time soon, sadly. Worse, the sector is under-financed, thanks perhaps to the condition’s “unsexy” image as an illness. “Research into dementia is largely under-invested,” says Dr Corbett. “Cancer research gets about eight times as much funding.

We need far more clinical trials and more potential treatments being developed.

“There are some interesting new approaches. But on average, out of every ten potential treatments to enter clinical trials, only one will come through the process and be approved for use on patients. There are only three treatments in the penultimate stage of clinical trials at the moment. By the law of numbers, that is not very promising.”

Instead, it remains for all of us as individuals to take responsibility to reduce our own risk. But can that really be so bad? It just means making small changes in ways that stave off a whole gamut of dismally debilitating illnesses — and which can only give us a better quality of life all round.

New research on effects of statins

2011-08-31T04:19:00.000-07:00

Statins, the drugs designed to prevent high blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes, are also effective in battling respiratory illness and other infections, research suggests.

Scientists at Imperial College London found that patients who took the drugs in a trial that ended in 2003 are faring better than those who took a placebo, even though most participants from both groups have been taking statins since.

The biggest difference between the groups eight years on is that patients who have taken statins for longer are less susceptible to lung infections such as pneumonia. The overall death rate since the trial began is 14 per cent lower in the group who were prescribed statins from the beginning.

Peter Sever, Professor of Clinical Pharmacology at the university, said that more work would be necessary to find out why 460 of the statins group had died compared with 520 in the placebo group. “This result is very unexpected,” he said.

“The benefits of statins for preventing heart attacks and strokes are well-established, but the most significant effects seem to be on deaths from other causes. It’s quite remarkable that there is still this difference between the two groups, eight years after the trial finished.

“Some studies have suggested that statins protect against death from infectious diseases such as pneumonia. More research is needed to explain how these drugs might have unforeseen actions that prevent deaths from other illnesses.”

The latest findings were presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress in Paris yesterday and simultaneously published in the European Heart Journal.

In the lipid-lowering arm of the trial, over 10,000 patients in the UK, Ireland and Scandinavia with high blood pressure were randomly allocated either atorvastatin or placebo between 1998 and 2000. In 2003, the trial was stopped early because the statin proved to be highly beneficial in preventing heart attacks and strokes.

Deaths from cardiovascular disease were also lower in the original statin group, but the difference was not statistically significant. There was no difference in deaths from cancer.

The initial results of the trial had a huge influence on guidelines recommending the use of statins for people at risk of heart disease.

Four in one pill for blood pressure control

2011-06-05T04:37:00.000-07:00

A daily pill can cut the risk of heart attacks and strokes by more than half, a study has found.

The four-in-one “polypill” contains aspirin, statins to lower cholesterol and two medicines to lower blood pressure, combining elements from separate pills that are already taken by millions of people around the world.

Doctors have long hoped that a combined tablet would be easier and cheaper for patients, even suggesting it could eventually be taken by everyone over 55. Cardiovascular disease accounts for one in three deaths in Britain.

The first international trial of a polypill tested it on 378 people in Britain, Australia, Brazil, India, New Zealand, the Netherlands and the US. All had a more than 7.5 per cent risk of developing heart disease within five years, but none had previously been prescribed any of the polypill components. After 12 weeks, there had been “sizeable reductions” in cholesterol and blood pressure, researchers report in the journal Public Library of Science One.

“The results show a halving in heart disease and stroke can be expected for people taking this polypill long term,” said Anthony Rodgers of the George Institute for Global Health, who led the consortium. “We know from other trials that, long term, there would also be a 25 to 50 per cent lower death rate from colon cancer, plus reductions in other major cancers, heart failure and renal failure.”

The Red Heart Pill used in the trial is likely to be available in India within a few years, costing a few pounds a month, though it may cost more in wealthier countries.

Ted Bianco, Director of Technology Transfer at the Wellcome Trust, which helped to fund the study, said: “Few of us would dissent from the view that prevention is better than cure in most matters medical. It is good news, indeed, to see the evidence base grow for the potential use of a new generation of combination products as a safe and affordable option in the battle against heart attack and stroke.”

Couples seek counselling because one has become obsessed with exercise

2011-03-18T03:02:00.000-07:00

Having just watched the impressive film of the desert challenge for Comic Relief and as thousands train for the London Marathon in April with the hopes of acheiving personal triumph, improved cardiovascular health and of couse as a way to donate to charity it is interesting to read that:

Extreme exercise can jeopardise relationships

According to a report in The Wall Street Journal, increasing numbers of couples in America are seeking counselling because one partner has become obsessed with exercise, leaving the other as a workout widow or widower. British experts say that the trend is just as evident here. With record numbers of mid-life converts, aged 30-45, being drawn to extreme endurance events, such as marathons and triathlons, long-term relationships are being intruded upon more than ever before by exercise and the training partnerships it entails.

“Oh yes, I’ve come across the marathon effect,” Christine Northam, a counsellor for Relate, says. “What is an amazing personal goal to one individual has the potential to wreak havoc in a relationship.”

It’s not difficult to see why; training for a marathon consumes your life. Stuart Holliday, an exercise psychologist and running coach, says: “The average [runner] needs to cover 30-55 miles a week for four months to prepare adequately for a marathon, so it’s not surprising he or she sees less of any partner.”

During the months of preparation, every minute of spare time and every ounce of excess energy are gobbled up either doing the activity or thinking about it and preparing for it.

You take over the kitchen with your immune boosting supplements and isotonic drink powders. You talk about running all the time with endless monologues about mileage and muscle pain, shin splints and speed sessions, oblivious to the rolling eyes of your partner.

You become engrossed in running magazines and training schedules and speak in alien, athletic terminology. And you are permanently knackered, too tired to socialise past 9 o’clock and too exhausted for sex much of the time.

For the workout widower, the regime is equally draining, albeit for different reasons. Left at home, he can wake to an empty pillow beside him, his partner having left for an early morning session before work. The demands of the training schedule can accentuate niggles about who does the housework, takes the kids to Brownies or goes shopping. Its effects can creep into every aspect of daily life, with family meals being cooked to accommodate a daily run, and conversation dwindling to a halt every evening as intense exercise takes its toll.

“Often the non-exercising partner feels neglected simply because his or her partner is devoting so much time and energy to this chosen activity,” Northam says. “But if the exercising partner is also the kind of person who becomes incredibly focused and goal-orientated, blocking out everything else in the process, then it is a real cause for concern.”

It’s not just a lack of time together that can begin to cause cracks in a relationship. Intense feelings of insecurity, even jealousy, can arise when one partner not only gets a more toned body, but a boosted social life and heightened self-confidence.

Jane, a runner from Berkshire, was a vehement anti-exerciser until, at the age of 49, a friend dragged her out for a jog around the local park. She has now joined a running club, takes part in 10km races and half-marathons, and says that the sport has provided an entirely new circle of friends.

“Two years ago I was pre-menopausal, putting on weight and looked puffy and pear shaped,” she says. “I’ve lost two stone and I am the weight I was when I was 20. My husband loves it, but he’s also very wary about the new me. I’ve thrown myself into an activity that he can’t relate to and while my confidence has grown I can just sense that he feels he is losing me slightly.”

There are no statistics for the effect of extreme training on separation or divorce, although the correlation is almost certainly getting stronger as more people devote more time to working out. You can lessen the blow, Holliday says, by discussing your goal before you start training for it.

“Schedule in time for your partner when you plan your training,” he says. “Make sure he or she is as involved as they want to be and that they feel needed.”

It could be, of course, that participating in a marathon or triathlon is a consequence, rather than the cause of a troubled relationship. “I trained for my first marathon with my then girlfriend of two years and we broke up before the race,” Holliday says. “It provided some sort of clarity.”

Blueberries Lower Blood Pressure and Risk of Heart Disease

2011-03-18T02:31:00.000-07:00

(Article first published as A Handful of Berries Each Day Lowers Blood Pressure and Risk of Heart Disease on Technorati.)

Bioactive compounds found in the full spectrum of berries, and especially blueberries are shown to lower blood pressure and prevent hypertension, according to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The results provide fresh proof that this great tasting source of beneficial phytonutrients can lower the risk associated with a heart attack.

“Our findings are exciting and suggest that an achievable dietary intake of anthocyanins may contribute to the prevention of hypertension,” said lead author Professor Aedin Cassidy of the Department of Nutrition at the University of East Anglia's Medical School. Approximately one-quarter of all adults worldwide and as many as one in three Americans suffer from hypertension, a leading cause of heart disease and death from a heart attack.

Anthocyanins in Berries Reduce Risk of Hypertension

The team of scientists followed nearly 200,000 men and women over a period of 14 years and assessed their intake of flavonoids from a variety of natural foods including apples, orange juice, blueberries, red wine, and strawberries. They found that the group consuming the highest amount of anthocyanins (found mainly in blueberries and strawberries in the US) were 8% less likely to develop hypertension over the period of the study.

A more in-depth analysis showed that consumption of blueberries in particular conveyed the highest degree of protection against developing high blood pressure with a 10% lower incidence for those eating the fruit once a week. Dr. Cassidy noted "Our findings are exciting and suggest that an achievable dietary intake of anthocyanins may contribute to the prevention of hypertension". Hypertension is a leading risk factor for heart attack, and this finding could translate to a significant reduction in the number of people suffering a cardiovascular event.

A Daily Dose of Berries Can Prevent Heart Disease, Stroke and Dementia

Nutrition researchers will now begin to identify the different sources of anthocyanins as well as the ideal dose necessary to prevent hypertension. Most berry varieties are packed with flavonoids and anthocyanins that have been shown to lower the risk of chronic illness from heart disease, stroke, diabetes and premature brain aging.

Extensive scientific studies now exist showing how berry consumption, and especially blueberries help to prevent diseases of the brain that result in cognitive decline and dementia. The special compounds that give berries their deep purple and reddish colors are able to cross into the brain where they exert a powerful effect to thwart functional decline.

We now have evidence that berry consumption can prevent hypertension and lower heart attack risk. Until exact standards are developed, nutrition experts advise eating one-half to a full cup of berries several times a week to protect the heart and the brain.

Happiness is a Healthy Heart - Video How to Keep A Heart Healthy

2011-01-08T04:20:00.000-08:00

A popular New Year's resolutions is to get fit which means maintaining a healthy heart.

Video How to Keep A Heart Healthy

In this Video How to Keep A Heart Healthy we offer five ways to keep your heart strong and healthy.

Ways to keep the heart in good condition.

Read labels. Doctors say look at what you are eating, especially when it comes to trans fats.

A healthy heart means healthy arteries, and healthy blood pressure. When arteries become clogged from cholesterol and fat, they shut off blood flow that's needed to keep the body running and the heart pumping. When blood pressure is high, it can weaken the heart and other organs.

And, try a little laughter.

Researchers still say that laughter can sometimes be the best medicine, especially for your cardiovascular system.

music can have similar effects as laughter some researchers have found. Listening to your favorite music opens up your blood vessels, in the same way laughter can some studies have shown.

Exercise of course. A brisk daily walk of at least half an hour can also make a big difference to your heart's health.

Keep in touch with friends. Some doctors say their studies have shown that being socially active reduces of stress, and losing stress can reduce your risk of heart disease.

High Fat and Ecessive Salt in Children's Hosptial meals

2010-10-14T03:06:00.000-07:00

Children's hospital meals 'too salty and fatty'

A recent Survey by the Food Standards Authority revealed that half of meals served by NHS hospitals contravene standards for healthy diets for school meals.

A high proportion of children's hospital meals tested poorly for saturated fat and or unecessarily high salt content.

Almost half of meals served in hospital to children have too much fat and contain excessive amounts of salt.

A report by the Consensus Action on Salt and Health (Cash) and campaign group aworrying number of child hospital meals to be too unhealthy and unlikely to be served in schools because they exceeded salt and fat limits introduced in 2008.

A third of all 451 meals tested would be classified as “red” for saturated fat or salt, according to the Food Standards Agency’s traffic light labelling scheme, meaning they should be eaten in smaller amounts or infrequently.

Cash wants the government to create nutritional guidelines for hospital food. The Department of Health said it was concerned by the group’s report, which found a chicken tikka masala and rice served in a hospital contained 14 times more salt (2.2g) and 8.5 times more saturated fat (6g) than a chicken and vegetable balti with rice in a school dinner.

Professor Graham McGregor the chairman of Cash, said: “With everything we know about the risk of children developing high blood pressure and diet-related diseases such as obesity, it is vital to keep their consumption of salt and saturated fat as low as possible, while still being appetising.”

A Department of Health spokesman said: “We recognise the importance of good quality food for patients of all ages, both in terms of improving their health and in relation to their overall experience of services.

“Tools are available to support caterers in assessing the nutritional content of meals.”

Is it better to eat standing up?

2010-09-21T07:10:00.000-07:00

On the positive side you may burn more calories but you could also end up snacking your way through more food

The boss has decided not to sit down at work. His desk has been raised so that he can type standing up and he also likes to eat while standing. Now he is encouraging us to do the same, arguing that sitting down is not good for the digestion. Is this true?

This is an “interesting one”. From a political point of view, you clearly can’t go bowling in to tell your boss that you think he’s nuts. Saying that, there may be some health advantages that are worth considering.
The main one is that standing up all day — versus sitting down — means that you burn more calories. If a 9st 7lb woman sits for eight hours she will burn around 510 calories. If she were to stand for the same amount of time, she would burn something like 1,085. There is also evidence that sitting down for long periods may increase your risk, if already prone, of developing deep vein thrombosis.

I can’t find any convincing evidence that standing up is better for your digestion, although Jeya Henry, Professor of Nutrition at Oxford Brookes University, says that diet-induced thermogenesis may increase if a person stands while eating. In simple terms, this means that the natural phenomenon, whereby more calories are burnt after you eat, rises farther.

But there are disadvantages, too. One is that it encourages people to eat more, for example, if they are cooking and absentmindedly picking at ingredients or hoovering up leftovers while clearing the table. Even worse, we are less likely to remember eating these extra titbits. Of course, given that lots of people graze all day at their desks from charity snack machines to fully loaded christmas gift hampers, this argument probably doesn’t hold much water in a work environment.

Another concern about standing and eating while working is that it implies you will be spending all day at your desk. Again, I know a lot of people do this while seated, but it is better for your general well-being to take a break away from the office at lunchtime — whether standing or sitting — and to eat in a different environment. Doing this could produce more digestive juices, making you less prone to indigestion. It also encourages you to eat more slowly, which in turn can help you to eat less.

Taking this farther, it is a good rule not to allow any food at your desk. If you want a snack, leave your work station — you are more likely to remember it and account for it in your mental calorie count for the day.
Ultimately, perhaps the solution lies in doing a bit of both. In the World Health Organisation’s offices in Copenhagen, staff apparently have adjustable desks that have a lever at the side and can be raised to allow you to stand and work, and lowered again to sit when you need a break.

Given that most offices in the UK probably won’t invest in this kind of office furniture because more staff are keen to have more home like furniture, perhaps the best way forward is to improvise.

Here’s one: stand while making phone calls. That should burn a few calories.

Salt in Restaurant Food

2010-08-05T06:26:00.000-07:00

Hypertension - all the medical data has for years, pointed to salt, being overweight and stress contributing to high blood pressure.

The doctors lay this on you, usually during a high stress office visit, in a medical environment, while the GP has a white coat on. It is astounding to discover the amount of people who are on drugs for hypertension, prescribed during the office visit, or worse yet, during a physical. A good suggestions is track the blood pressure readings over time, and see if you can help to control it. Salt and sugar are everywhere, and almost impossible to measure, unless you pour either, yourself.

Restaurants thrive on salt so people enjoy the food. No-one has any idea what or how much salt is added.

Salt is a major issue and a defininte problem for everyone. Everyone today could stand with a significant reduction in both their salt and their sugar content.

The restaurants today are amongst the biggest offenders.

Life Without Coffee

2010-06-26T12:57:00.000-07:00

From an ex-coffee addict:

I used to feel dull and tired every morning, and I woke up with a strong craving for coffee. Then I stopped drinking coffee entirely. It was difficult for a few days, but then the feeling of tiredness in the morning and the desire for coffee just went away. Now I wake up feeling alert, and with no desire at all for coffee.

So my experience backs up this research. Fatigue in the morning is actually a result of coffee addiction. Coffee is counterproductive to alertness in the long run. It gives you a short boost, but then alertness falls lower than before.Fortunately, it's possible to break the addiction in a few days with a little will power.

White Coat Effect on Blood Pressure Readings

2010-06-02T04:03:00.000-07:00

What is the "white coat effect"?

... Many people find their blood pressure rises when it is being measured in the presence of a [nurse or] doctor (with or without white coat) and this has cast doubt on the accuracy of these readings.'

Especially an attractive one! (As was pointed out by a colleague a couple of years ago when I had rather unexpectedly high blood pressure readings.)

More about the white coat effect here

More seriously, when is culinary salt going to be taxed - to help discourage its use? And perhaps food itself should be taxed more highly if it contains a lot of salt.

Other areas of concern include food labelling where excessive salt is disguised by not publishing the salt content, and only giving the (far lower) sodium content: I was horrified to find that a jar of Patak's Mango Pickle contains 4.4% sodium, which is equivalent to 10.6% salt! Wake up FSA!!!

Healthy Eating And Food Preservation

2010-05-19T08:43:00.000-07:00

Eating's a necessity, not an ideological statement or a fashion statement. The rise of food preservation technology coincided with the Allies winning the Second World War (fed with tinned food) then getting postwar fat (fed with tinned food) and losing the undeclared ongoing commerce war with lean and hungry Asians, Africans, Indians. Building 'burger palaces in the USA's competing nations, then expecting the locals to follow our example and become overfed and sedentary was the subtext of the Reagan administration.

What food is good for you and what is going to kill you seems to change weekly. Last week a Subway sub was best, but now its bad because its made with lunch meat. But now head back to McDonalds. That Quarter Pounder with cheese has 1190 mg sodium, whereby a 6" Blackforest Ham with cheese has 1295 mg. Not a whole lot different actually.

The fact of the matter is BOTH have WAY to much sodium. If its not salty enough I know how to fix that easily, but its sure hard to take out the sodium if I don't want it. Even the rolls have over 400mg sodium which is crazy.

Hulacize For Heath Hula Hoops Are Back

2010-04-30T07:30:00.000-07:00

Hurah for Hula Hoops - no no the salty processed potato snack but the hip swinging hoop that has been a popular playground toy for many years.

Hulacize for Health

Now adults are joining in the craze - spinning and gyrating during demanding cardiovascular exercise - great for the lungs and heart - hula hoops are back.

It has been well reported that fitness exercises show an improvement in blood pressure readings - so for the price of a coffee and cake you can have your own hoop and start to hula hula for your heart and see your readings change

Burj Tower Dubai Flights Heart Racing Jump

2010-04-06T06:42:00.000-07:00

This incredible stunt performed from the newly opened Burj Tower in Dubai is enough to set the heart racing just watching it. Imagine the strain put upon the base jumpers cardiovascular system - not least gettng to the very top of the world's tallest building but then leaping out to freefall back to the ground.

Security at the tower has been stepped up to prevent further attempts of this adrenaline rush - but with the ever increasing numnber of flights to dubai it is expected that a mass jump from the Dubai tower will be inevitable soon.

Women Shopping and Blood Pressure

2010-02-24T04:18:00.000-08:00

In the Mood - Checking out Fashion, Living and Blood Pressure

A recent programme on LivingTV suggested that what you wear not only affects your mood and confidence which is common knowledge but in turn those effects are beneficial to general health.

This may be the answer to why shopping for some women is an addiction - in the same way people become dependent on exercise for the feel good factor of endorphine release.

Lingerie and Dresses

Shopping - especially clothes shopping can be a double edge sword though.

Lingerie

Lingerie can set the heart racing - the elation of finding boutique lingerie shops offering stylish underwear that looks fabulous on the lingerie manequin can easily turn to disappointment when the outfit is unwrapped and worn back home.

Dresses

Dresses too can be a source of terrible frustration - with bulges and creases in all the wrong places - the pressure builds to find the perfect fit. Fitting room lighting and mirrors have long been known to enhance the appearance of dresses and ladies outfits. However when the dress is revealed in natual light the shadow effect can be deeply dis-dressing.

Shoes

The ultimate shopping rush for many women - footwear fashion has been likened to addictive chemicals - the need for new heals knows no bounds.

Boost Your Health Get Winter Sunshine on Holiday in Spain

2010-01-18T07:30:00.000-08:00

Sunny Spain - Winter Holidays in Andalucia

The Costa del Sol is traditionally a destination for family holidays in summer but the surrounding region is becoming of interest for those looking for a break from the grey skies of winter in the UK and at the same time benefiting their health.

Low season travellers are finding it easy and affordable to bask in pleasantly warm sunshine in Andulaucia, Spain and visit some of the regions fascinating towns and cities. Most regional airports run scheduled flights to Malaga and there are many cheap package holidays deals to the region especially at this time of year its easy to see why more and more holidaymakers are choosing to pack their bags.

So cheap are the deals that canny travellers are taking advantage of cheap flights combined with hotel accomodation on the Costa del Sol along with cheap car rental to explore the wider region of Andalucia including , Jerez, Corbobra, Seville and Granada all which benefit from year round sunshine.

Year Round Sunshine - Relaxing and Lowering Blood Pressure

The easy car blog offers the following sunshine information on its car hire Malaga page:

Boasting around 300 days of sunshine every year, flying to Malaga, the gateway to the Costa del Sol in southern Spain, is the ideal choice for a lazy beach holiday or tour of Andalucia at any time of the year!

Car hire Spain Getting Around Andulucia

Andalucia is adequately served by public transport although many bus services require an early start which can mean missing your hotel breakfast if taking advantage of the package deals on the Costa del Sol. A frequent inexpensive train runs along the Costa del Sol from Feungirola to Malaga. Buses run out of Malaga to Granada and Cordobra and there is an excellent rail connection between Jerez, Seville and Malaga. Alternatively you can take advantage of the massive over supply of cars during the low season prices are especially competative which makes considering renting a car to allow more freedom to explore the region at your own relaxed pace and car parking is easier too!

If you are planning to go on holiday this winter please read out blood pressure and travel article

Healthy Christmas Snacks

2009-12-17T03:01:00.000-08:00

Healthy Christmas

Following on from the illuminating suggestions about healthy alternatives for a healthy Christmas dinner here we offer our seasonal ideas for healthy festive snacks

Did you know?

There are almost 6g of fat in a single 37ml shot of Bailey's Irish Cream?
Two cans of Stella Artois contain 442 calories (the same as 1.5 Mars bars)?
Just one segment of a Terry's Chocolate Orange has 46 calories and 2.5g of fat?

Instead of: Dry-roasted or salted peanuts

Why not: Brazil nuts, peanuts and walnuts in their shells. There's no added salt and trying to open them will give you a work out too!

Instead of: Closed shop-bought mince pies with cream or sugar

Why not: Open-topped home-baked mince pies (less sugar and calories) with apple slices or clementine pie.

Instead of fun food why not no-fun food?

Keep your powder dry and your blood pressure low - seasons greetings!

Chips for Health | Chip on Shoulder

2009-11-20T07:08:00.000-08:00

Got High Blood Pressure?

try a chip on your shoulder?

We may literally have to shoulder the responsibility of taking our medicines in the future. Pharmaceutical company Novartis has found a microchip on the shoulder may be the perfect way to remind people with high blood pressure to take their pills.

Researchers trialled the system on 20 people who were taking blood pressure tablets. Each person put a microchip patch on their shoulders, and tablets also contained a tiny edible microchip of their own. The chips in the tablets told the shoulder chips when they had been taken.

When a person forgot to take their tablet, the shoulder chip sent a text message to their mobile phone - including the latest pay as you go phones - to remind them that their next one was due.

Over the six-month trial 80 per cent of people remembered to take their tablet every day, compared with 30 per cent before the trial started.

Charity Gifts Aid Health

2009-10-23T03:13:00.000-07:00

Charity Gifts Aid Healthcare

As Christmas rapidly approaches we thought we would offer suggestions how to help improve your health whilst helping others.

Giving Benefits Health

Studies in Europe have suggested that generous, thoughtful giving offers benefits to health - the act of giving creates a sense of well being which in turn reduce stress and anxiety thereby helping to lower blood pressure.

For maximum effect why not consider giving a charity gift that will help others?

For many years people have felt good about sending charity Christmas cards but Charity gifts are increasingly popular and various charities now offer imaginative gift ideas that will help those in most need.

Charity Gifts

Healthcare charities and aid agencies all sell christmas cards but now online shopping is being embraced by forward thinking organisations. Oxfam, for example, give visitors the opportunity to provide water and shelter for communities that are suffering the effects of natural disasters around the world and even buy a goat.

The principle goal of these charity gifts is to raise money that can be used to help relieve suffering - be that locally with medical conditions and illnessess, or further afield where communities are feeling the effects of climate change - floods, drought and famine.

See for yourself if you feel better after making a charitable gift - it doesn't have to be Christmas but we think it is an ideal time to try new ways of giving.

Next in the run up to Christmas we will once again remind visitors of the perils of the white stuff - salt

Healthy Food Hampers | Gifts - Create A Hamper

2009-10-01T02:16:00.000-07:00

Foods for healthy blood pressure

Much is debated about reducing salt in our diets to help lower blood pressure - along with many other no no's when it comes to what we eat and drink for our health's sake but we think it appropriate to highlight what we should eat more of in order to feel great and stay in good health.

Often overlooked are the benefits of certain types of super foods - especially fruits and vegetables that when eaten in combination.

Essential minerals - amny only found in specific types of fruit - contribute to a healthy heart and maintain a good level of blood pressure - see getting the most benefit out of fruit and veg.

How much?

Loads - it's common to hear five a day but fruit and vegetables could make up at least a third of your entire food intake.

Give a healthy hamper of food

As an example we have put together a "gift hamper" selection which might provoke you to create your own hampers with top quality healthy food that you know the recipient enjoys.

Suggestion for healthy hampers

Most gift hampers are usually full of luxury food and drinks - rarely the best health option - although the benefits of red wine and chocolate are sometimes reported in the health news.

Here's our ideas of things to include in your hampers which needn't cost a lot but if packaged properly will be a great gift.

banana - high in potassium - a great bp lowering food
apples
pears or at least one
oranges are not the only fruit
avocado - notorious super food
plums - get you r gums stuck into plums
grapefruit

if its a seasonal gift, christmas hampers can include all the festive fruits you cna fing - figs, satsumas and of course whole nuts beans and pulses - remember however much you eat, beans and pulses count as one portion each day

Fresh fruit is important but the concentration of dried fruit can also help the mineral intake so add these to your gift hampers too.

dried fruit (such as raisins and apricots)

healthy drinks

a glass (150ml) of fruit juice (however much you drink, fruit juice counts as a maximum of one portion a day)

No so easy for these food hampers is frozen or cooked food but don't be shy - they too caount as one of the five a day - frozen peas are more likely to be nutritionally better than raw peas as they are frozen to seal the healthy bits in quickly

Kiwi Fruit Lowers Blood Pressure?

2009-08-18T08:19:00.000-07:00

Can eating Kiwi Fruit lower blood pressure?

The quick answer to the question above is "nobody knows for sure"! However, a study starting in Norway aims to find out.

The researchers will give 120 volunteers either three kiwi fruit to eat each day, or an apple a day for eight weeks. During this time, both the volunteers' systolic (top number) and diastolic (bottom number) blood pressure readings will be taken and compared.

The study seeks to find out if kiwi fruits are more effective than apples in helping to lower blood pressure.

The doctors are keen to carry out this research because of the results of an earlier study. In the Oslo Antioxidant Study, they found that people who ate three kiwi fruits a day had a significant reduction in their blood pressure levels.

However, they do not know how kiwi fruit had this effect, so they would like to compare its actions to those of apple to see if the blood pressure lowering is general effect of all types of fruit or a specific effect caused by a molecule found in kiwi fruit.

Mid-life high blood pressure raise dementia risk

2009-08-04T06:42:00.000-07:00

Having high blood pressure, smoking or having diabetes in middle age dramatically increases the risk of developing dementia in later life.

Researchers in the US looked at the lifestyles of 11,151 people age 46-70 years and followed their health for 12-14 years.

The study (published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry) found that, for people aged less than 55 years:

Having high blood pressure increases the risk of dementia
Smoking increases the risk of dementia five-fold
Having diabetes increases the risk of dementia three-fold

In fact, people who had high blood pressure were 60% more likely to develop dementia than people who didn't have high blood pressure. While people who were smoking were 70% more like to develop dementia in later life than those people who had never smoked. People who had diabetes were more than 100% more likely to develop than people without diabetes.

Dementia is caused by damage to the blood vessels supplying the brain. High blood pressure, smoking and diabetes all damage the insides of these arteries and may explain the link between these conditions and a raised risk of dementia in later life.

These findings reinforce the need for everyone - especially in middle age - to take good care of their health by eating healthily, being regularly active and keeping to a healthy weight.

How to Lower Blood Pressure - Five Top Tips

2009-07-15T01:54:00.000-07:00

How to lower your blood pressure

Five top tips to avoid or reduce high blood pressure:

1. Cut down on salt – eat no more than 6g a day (a teaspoon). Around 70 per cent of the salt in our diets has already been added to the food we eat, so watch out for hidden salt in bread, cereals, processed meats, cheeses and ready meals.
Can lower BP by 2-8mmHg
2. Eat at least five, ideally seven to nine, portions of fruit and vegetables a day.
Can lower BP 7mmHg or more
3. Be as active as you can – even moderate physical activity like brisk walking, five days a week, will help get your pressure down.
Can lower BP by 4-9mmHg
4. Find and reach your ideal weight.
Can lower BP by 5-10mmHg per 10kg lost
5. Keep an eye on alcohol – no more than 2- 3 units a day for women. One medium glass of wine (175) is equal to 2 units.
Can lower BP by 2-4mmHg

A guide to blood pressure levels

What is "normal blood pressure"?

Less than 120/80mmHg – blood pressure is at the ‘optimal’ level so follow a healthy lifestyle to keep it that way

121/81 – 129/84mmHg – blood pressure is ‘average’ and you would benefit from lowering it

130/85 – 139/89mmHg – blood pressure is on the ‘high side of normal’ and should be lowered

140/90mmHg or above – if readings are consistently at or above this level you have ‘high’ blood pressure, take action now to lower it .

Flower Power

2009-06-19T08:35:00.000-07:00

Can flowers help lower blood pressure?

Our thorough research has picked up the following information about the effects that various types of flowers can have on blood pressure.

As well as the obvious delight that being given flowers brings there appears to be other benefits to be had from our petaled friends.

Colour of flowers.

The colours around you can have health effects:

Red Flowers: Raises your body temperature and blood pressure, Increases your appetite.
BlueFlowers: Decreases blood pressure and heart beat

The smell of flowers - not just strong smelling flowers and herbs, such as mint, lavender, basil or jasmins are famous for their wonderful fragrances. Less potent flowers with only subtle aromatic substances or slightly fragrant flowers help you to relax so being in a flower garden gives you a feeling of relief , reduced stress and general well-being and happiness.

Specific flower products on sale for health benefits

Evening Primrose Oil

There have been many claims of blind studies that have shown that fish oil and / or flaxseed oil are effective in helping with hypertension. Another study, which combined evening primrose oil and fish oil supplements, showed a significant lowering of blood pressure.

If you have high blood pressure and you want to treat it naturally, then evening primrose oil is an addition to your prescribed medicine, lifestyle changes and any other daily supplements you may be taking.

Hibiscus flowers

You will have read that hibiscus flower extract may have some cardiovascular health benefits.

Hibiscus forms the basis of a traditional Eastern remedy and researchers suggest an extract from the flower could have the same health benefits for the heart as red wine and tea
Hawthorn

American doctors recognized the herb's medicinal properties and began using it to treat circulatory disorders and respiratory illnesses. Considered a "cardiotonic" herb or heart tonic, the flowers and berries of the hawthorn plant were used in traditional medicine to treat irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, chest pain, hardening of the arteries, and heart failure. Hawthorn is commonly used to strengthen the heart.

Sevent (not twelfty)

Perhaps the most dubious flower treatmant on the market is lucky 7 or Seven (Sevent)

This flower extract is a Supplement that contains a proprietary blend of Chrysanthemum flowers, Honeysuckle flowers, Sophora Japonica flowers, Brunella flowers, Nodo Ginseng flowers, Water Fairy flowers, and Black Moss flowers.

Blood Pressure Pills - Start taking the tablets

2009-05-20T09:22:00.000-07:00

Blood Pressure Pills for all over 55

Latest news breaking is that a team of researchers conclude that anyone over 55 would benefit from taking blood pressure pills and drugs to lower their blood pressure. The principle is that by taking drugs to lower blood pressure those who currently have "normal blood pressure" will benefit by this lowering. High blood pressure is the single biggest risk factor for stroke and it is important that people take medication to combat this. Prof. Maryon-Davis, of the Faculty of Public Health, said: "Mass medication turns us all into patients and I don't think it's the best approach" Some support for the theory that by giving everybody blood pressure lowering drugs people would be far less alarmed than when they are diagnsed with high blood pressure.

Blood pressure medication is one of the safest and most studied medications however they do have side-effects and careful consideration should be given before prescribing them willy nilly.

Lowering blood pressure is undoubtedly a good thing - prevention is better than cure, but there are other proven ways to prevent high blood pressure such as healthy eating and regular exercise, which have other health benefits too.

There is a danger that these important lifestyle factors could be overlooked in favour of 'popping a pill'.

A far healthier way is for us to reduce our risk and increase our health by eating less salt and and taking more regular exercise.

Another way of looking at it is that mass consumption of blood pressure lowering drugsis much like the principle of vaccinating the entire population in the event of a flu pandemic.

Blood Pressure Stress at Work - HR to the Rescue

2009-04-28T08:31:00.000-07:00

Stress in the Workplace

Healthy debate about how best companies can show they care about employees health. The current recession has already cost many people their jobs and those still in work are likely to be suffering high degrees of stress surrounding the uncertainty of their own job security.

Stress - Blood Pressure

Elevated stress is often associated with poor diet and lifestyle which increase the chances of developing high blood pressure. Human Resources departments are keen to identify ways to perform under pressure and are issuing instructions about managing stress. This article on perfomance whilst avoiding stress offers simple lifestyle tips that will help maintain a healthy body - lowering blood pressure. Awareness days have been hugely successful - events such as blood pressure testing and more recently stress awareness and testing. One new product is a small square LCD thermometer. Press your finger to the square for a few seconds, and it changes colour depending on how stressed you are. The science behind the stress square is simple. Not measuring blood pressure as such but when we are relaxed, blood flows freely through the body. However, when we are ancxious or stressed, then blood is diverted to the muscles and essential organs, which means that our fingers cool.

Such devices can be stuck on mouse mats or desks and provide a great talking point for staff. As they can be used again and again, they are a simple stress management tool that lasts.

Elsewhere attempts by HR teams to encourage better health lower blood pressure have included association with gyms, bringing trainers into the work place and involving staff in setting goals by charting their activities, lifestyle changes and reduced blood pressure

TEN NATURAL WAYS TO REDUCE BLOOD PRESSURE

2009-03-28T10:58:00.000-07:00

TEN “NATURAL” WAYS TO REDUCE BLOOD PRESSURE AND LOWER ELEVATED CHOLESTEROL by Paula Owens

1. MANAGE STRESS: Although stress is a normal part of the human experience, it is how we manage stress. Stress and anxiety cause chemicals to be released into your body, raise your blood pressure and cause a reduction of blood flow to your heart. Most people in Stage 1 or 2 of adrenal fatigue typically have elevated blood pressure secondary to increased cortisol and adrenaline. Those with hypertension should always rule out heavy metal toxicity. LDL cholesterol levels may increase from excessive stress too.

Winning Formulas to Relax and Manage Stress (practice some form of stress reduction EVERY day):

Prioritize – write down your priorities
Breathe – Full, deep belly breathing. Start with a minimum of two minutes every day and gradually increase to ten minutes daily.
Yoga
Meditation
Massage
Listen to calm music
Warm, aromatherapy bath with 2 cups Epsom salts and 1 cup baking soda
Change how you view situations
Surround yourself with like-minded people and friends. You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with. Be aware and eliminate unhealthy, stressful social behaviors including arguments, drama, drinking, inactivity, unhealthy eating and over-eating.

o University of Utah psychologist found that women in strained marriages are more likely to feel depressed and suffer high blood pressure, obesity and other signs of "metabolic syndrome," a group of risk factors for heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

Dissolve unhealthy lose-win relationships and focus on attracting only win-win relationships.

2. ELIMINATE ALL PARTIALLY HYDROGENATED OILS (TRANS FATS): Partially hydrogenated oils are found in thousands of processed foods (breakfast cereals, cookies, chips, fried foods, packaged foods, all CRAP food). Trans fats are proven to cause heart disease. Restaurant food, especially from fast food chains, often serve food loaded with trans fats.

Consequences of a diet high in trans fats include:
↑ inflammation
↓immune function
↓testosterone
Arthritis
Cancer

Decrease IQ – learning disabilities. American IQ has dropped 20 points in the past 20 years.
Diabetes
Elevated blood pressure
Free radical production

Heart Disease
Interferes with neurological & visual development of fetus
Liver damage
Obesity
Osteoporosis
Type II diabetes

3. LOSE BODY FAT: This is achieved with the “4 Powers” – Nutrition, Lifestyle, Exercise and Supplements. Excess body fat stresses your joints and organs, including your heart. Decreasing body fat in a healthy, slow, steady manner will improve your health, lower your cholesterol and reduce blood pressure and your risk of diabetes.

4. CONSISTENT EXERCISE: This isn’t breaking news. Exercise will help you reduce stress, decrease body fat, increase your metabolism and lower your risk of diabetes. Adequate, consistent exercise will lower your blood pressure AND increase the “good” HDL cholesterol and lower your triglycerides. Take a brisk 30 minute walk every day. There is evidence that resistance training results in a more favorable balance in myocardial oxygen supply and demand than aerobic exercise due to the lower heart rate and higher myocardial perfusion pressure. Moderate intensity strength training can control or prevent hypertension. Circulation 116: 572-584, 2007.

5. ELIMINATE HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP: HFCS is the number one source of calories for most Americans and causes obesity. You’ll find high-fructose corn syrup in processed crap food, sodas, syrup that goes into your Latte from Starbucks, etc. HFCS is extremely toxic to your liver, increases inflammation, oxidative stress and creates an aggressive insulin response.

6. SUPPLEMENTS FOR HYPERTENSION: Omega-3 fish oils, magnesium, vitamin D, COQ10, Biotics VasculoSirt, Green Tea Extract, Hawthorne Extract, Digestive enzymes, Probiotics, Folic Acid, Ginger
Ginger has blood pressure-lowering effects that can protect against the chronic brain injury caused by hypertension. Vascul Pharmacol, 2005 Oct;43(4):234-41
Supplementation with at least 5000 microg/d folic acid for at least 6 weeks may reduce systolic blood pressure slightly. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 2009; 8(1): 15-24.
Diuretics cause potassium levels to drop increasing the risk of hypokalemia.
Beta-blockers reduce heart rate and cardiac output potentially reducing exercise performance.
With calcium channel blockers systolic and diastolic blood pressures are reduced during exercise which may result in light headedness and peripheral edema post-exercise.
Additional side effects from hypertension drugs include: dizziness, increased risk of breast cancer, memory loss, nausea, asthma-like symptoms, joint pain and impotence in men.

SUPPLEMENTS FOR ELEVATED CHOLESTEROL: Omega-3 fish oils, tocotrienols, pantethine, vitamin D, Biotics VasculoSirt or GlucoBalance, LipidSirt, CoQ10, Green Tea Extract

Read more about cholesterol and the side effects from statin drugs in my book, THE POWER OF 4 and by visiting my website www.paulaowens.com/news.html for my article on cholesterol

According to a recent study, men with higher vitamin D levels had a 59% reduction in heart attacks. So if vitamin D’s only benefit was to reduce coronary heart attack rates by 59%, the net savings (after deducting the cost of the vitamin D) if every American supplemented properly would be around $85 billion each year. Arch Intern Med. 2008 Jun 9; 168(11):1174-80

7. FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE increase potassium rich foods such as vegetables, fruits, legumes and fish. Most Americans consume only half the recommended daily intake of potassium and twice the suggested limit for sodium! Potassium can influence BP levels by increasing sodium excretion from the body by stimulating the blood vessels to dilate, opening potassium channels.

FOR ELEVATED CHOLESTEROL increase consumption of plant sterols, sometimes called phytosterols. Plant sterols are the healthy compounds that occur naturally in a variety of plant foods such as fruits and vegetables, seeds and nuts. These foods are recognized for their proven role in lowering LDL “bad” cholesterol levels.

FOR BOTH, ELEVATED CHOLESTEROL and HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE include beta-glucan for fiber, a natural occurring soluble fiber found in whole-grain, oat based cereals. Beta-glucan has LDL cholesterol lowering benefits and substantial decreases in blood pressure.

8. INCREASE CONSUMPTION OF SMART FATS and ORGANIC PROTEIN:
FATS - avocado, wild fish, raw (unsalted) organic nuts and seeds, coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil
PROTEINS – Grass-fed beef and buffalo, cage-free poultry, wild salmon, fish, eggs, quality whey protein isolate or concentrate.

9. DECREASE ALCOHOL and CAFFEINE CONSUMPTION and INCREASE WATER INTAKE: Alcohol and caffeine cause adrenaline rushes that make blood pressure soar. Alcohol, sugar and processed, refined grains also lead to insulin resistance, hypertension and elevated cholesterol. Alcohol can affect your nerves and how your liver processes fat in the blood. Alcohol and caffeine disrupt blood glucose levels. Not only is alcohol hard on the body, just one drink can cause cellular death in several organs such as the brain.

Take your bodyweight and multiply by .7 – this will give you the number of ounces you should be drinking daily. Add a pinch of Celtic sea salt and lemon to your water.

10. ELIMINATE SUGAR, REFINED CARBOHYDRATES and ALL ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS: Phenylalanine, especially found in Nutra-Sweet and OTC antihistamines, can aggravate high blood pressure.

Sugar is more addictive than cocaine! Sugar has a profound influence on your brain function and your psychological function. When you consume excess amounts of sugar, your body releases excess amounts of insulin, which in turn causes a drop in your blood sugar, also known as hypoglycemia. Sugar and refined carbohydrates wreak havoc on blood glucose levels.

In addition, sugar is pro-flammatory and damages skin collagen and promotes again and wrinkles, increases your appetite, depletes your body of B vitamins, causes joint degeneration, ADHD and other behavior disorders, stimulates cholesterol synthesis and weight gain. This is just a small list of sugars’ toxic side effects.

Proteinuria in a person with high blood pressure is an indicator of declining kidney function. Proteinuria is a condition in which urine contains an abnormal amount of protein. Proteins are the building blocks for all body parts, including muscles, bones, hair, and nails. Proteins in your blood also perform a number of important functions. They protect you from infection, help your blood clot, and keep the right amount of fluid circulating throughout your body. If the hypertension is not controlled, the person can progress to full renal failure. High blood pressure is the second leading cause of ESRD (End Stage Renal Disease) – diabetes is the first. The first sign of deteriorating kidney function is the presence of small amounts of albumin in the urine called microabluminuria. As kidney function declines, the amount of albumin in the urine increases and microalbuminuria becomes full-fledged porteinuria.

Hypertension and elevated cholesterol (as well as diabetes) can be managed WITHOUT pharmaceutical drugs. HOW? Healthy lifestyle habits, stress management, supplements, diet and nutrition, a proper exercise program and fat loss.

Don't be a Heart Breaker - Change

2009-02-10T02:16:00.000-08:00

Global Economic Climate Down - Blood Pressure Up.

Leading cardiologists report that the steep downturn in the economic climate can have severe affect on the heart. Increased stress, poor eating habits and lifestyles combined with less money all combine to potentially rincrease the chance of suffering high blood pressure leadding to heart problems. “We’ve seen an increase in patients complaining about heart palpitations, anxiety and stress in the past months,” said a leading professor of cardiology, at this School of Medicine. There are many ways to reduce your risk:

One area that is being investigated is the calming effects of contributing to society. Studies have shown that those who do good for the benefit of others enjoy boosted levels of seratonin and feel fulfilment that leads to lower anxiety. One such area is the issue of climate change and how it is already impacting peoples lives globally.

Time for Change says:

"If you believe passionately about a big issue, for example global warming and climate change, it is likely that by doing nothing you will feel saddened and depressed. Consider someone who has had the misfortune of becoming redundant and facing unemployment - the knowledge of not lending a hand to act on the issues of climate change will cause a deflation of self esteem. The knock on of this will be a tendancy to fall into bad lifestyle habits as listed below and raise blood pressure."

Anyone who chooses to actively get invloved and make a difference to climate change will certainly experience a feel good factor both in the short and long term. Climate change is only one of many examples where people can raise awareness and take action - but once you feel that you fully appreciate the devastating effects of climate change and the injustice it inflicts around the world.

Its easy to get invloved and contribute to good causes - and you'll feel better for it!"

Other Lifestyle Changes Eat more simple, fresh foods, you can more easily maintain a healthy weight. Avoid salty, fatty food.

Watch your blood pressure, too. High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart attacks, strokes and heart disease.

Know your numbers - blood pressure readings:

Your systolic blood pressure ideally will be lowerr than 140 and diastolic under 90 - 140/90
Don't skimp on healthcare equipment - the arrival of budget blood pressure monitors on the high street have caused concerns in the healthcare industry over their accuracy. Lloyds Pharmacy for example are selling an upper arm, digital blood pressure monitor for ten pounds. However recent reviews suggest that not only is the lloyds pharmacy blood pressure monitor uncomfortable but its accuracy is doubted. Recommendations to get the best value for money monitor is to choose a clinically tested and approved machine. These may cost a little more than the lloyds economy monitors but you will be more certain of the results.
Keep exercising. forget paying for expensive gym memberships, go for a walk walks, do house work and play with children.

Above all reduce stress. Redirect your anxiety by exercising, meditating or spending time making changes and keep in touch with family and friends.

Blood Pressure Travel Tips

2009-01-14T07:27:00.000-08:00

Things to consider in the New Year if you have high blood pressure.

January is traditionally the time that many people think about booking holidays or trips to forget about the miserable weather in the UK.

Many questions are asked at this time of year about what to consider if you are planning to travel and have high blood pressure so we are delighted to inform that the publication of two new information sheets about holidays, travel and blood pressure.

Managing blood pressure on holiday looks at the practical things you can do and arrangements to make when going on holiday or travelling abroad and have to treat high blood pressure

This is accompanied by a helpful article about travel insurance for people with high blood pressure. Many people wrongly believe that they cannot get travel insurance if they are diagnosed with high blood pressure. In the same way that the myth that they will lose their jobs should they declared diagnosis took a while to correct we think that the information here should help clarify the position and allow people to make holiday plans and

Although it is essential that you tell your insurers that you have high blood pressure there are only a few jobs and activities that are prohibited in the insurance cover you get

Resperate available in the UK

Something else positive is the announcement that Resperate - a device that is intended to help lower blood pressure naturally will soon be on sale at Medi Save

Its been a long time coming so lets hope that thorough testing has shown Resperate to be a useful tool to use in conjunction with other treatments to help lower high blood pressure.

Resperate is a portable device and you will be able to take it with you on your travels to keep up biofeedback exercises that should slow your breathing with results in a lowering of blood pressure.

Another top tip from the Holiday guide is to consider buying a cheap Lloyds blood pressure monitor rather than risk losing or damaging a more expensive device whilst travelling. Both Resperate and cheap blood pressure monitors are available online at Medical Supply Saver Stores and can be delivered to your door.

Eat Well and Lower Blood Pressure

2008-12-16T02:26:00.000-08:00

To some the single most important thing to help lower high blood pressure is to look closely at the food they eat. The dark cold miserable weather tends to make people reach for "comfort foods"

As Christmas approaches we once again warn to go easy on the white stuff and check food labels carefully to be certain about the amount of salt in your diet as the amount of salt in food has a strong effect on health - especially blood pressure.

So obvious things to cut are crisps and nuts with drinks, "party food" which again is highly salted to accompany drinks - sausage rolls, mini quiche tartlets, the ever popular bite sized pasty and cheese on a stick. If you want to do yourself a favour munch celery sticks, fresh fruit and unsalted nuts.

Common presents at Christmas are food hampers which are packed with unusual foods and snacks that tend to be long shelf life items.

If you want to give a hamper as a present to someone who has high blood pressure you can save money and show you care by assembling your own low salt food hamper. And why not include the latest Omron M10 blood pressure monitor with a note explaining that the recipient can monitor the change in BP whislt sticking to a low salt diet.

Reduce Stress Part 3 - Sounds

2008-11-17T07:02:00.000-08:00

In the modern world most of us live in the luxury of silence in which to meditate is rarely found.

This doesn't mean that meditation isn't possible for those who want to naturally help lower their blood pressure. For many years the sale of "mood music" has been popular - sounds of the sea, rainfall or birds singing all help to cover other modern day noise such as traffic or neighbours music.

The problem with these is they have traditionally been played through speakers and have been known to irritate others. help is at hand with the latest range of portable music players.

In years gone by the classic cassette tape Walkman gave a varying sound quality - low batteries and cumbersome headphones didn't help, but today's mp3 players can give a listener their personal choice of music in high quality, privately.

iPods have become the must have personal music player and we were grateful to this Ipod guide for its helpful information about the four types available.

Which ipod?

Of the four types of iPods available it is suggested that ipod nano or ipod shuffle are most suitable as they are very small and compact but have enough storage to keep a wide selection of mood music that you can ply while meditating.

For many years ancient cultures have used meditation as a way of clearing the mind and enabling a relaxing state of mind during which breathing slows and blood pressure falls.

Lower Blood Pressure - Part 2 - Keep Fit

2008-10-21T01:55:00.000-07:00

In the previous post it was suggested that driving a safe vehicle such as the Freelander has benefits of lowering blood pressure - which caused a visitor called Land Rover to leave a comment - which we welcome as it shows the message is getting out there.

This time on Blood Pressure Info we'll look at methods of lowering blood pressure that also have the bonus of improving all round heath. Keeping fit is without a doubt an important part of anyone's healthy lifestyle - not only is the cardiovascular exercise helping to strengthen the heart but more vigorous exercise will improve respiration by encouraging deep breathing.

We all know that sport and exercise are important methods of developing all round fitness but sometimes work and family commitments prevent taking part in these activities on a regular basis. It was the second comment from Mr Land Rover that took us to nothing interesting
on which we saw a feature about playing the latest wii games to help build strength and agility - especially the new game - wii fit which hopefully will encourage event he most lazy families to join in the fun and play together.

These not so cheap wii games like the sports bundle and wii fit are in great demand - for those who are exasperated fruitlessley searching this thread on the wii fit at moneysaving expert provided a link to a funny video that parodies the wii fit promotion video. If nothing else watching this and laughing helped lower our blood pressure - we love the snippet - "why spend $3.19 on a hula hoop when you can spend 300 on a wii"!

Get fit for free - walk, use the stairs, do housework, clean the car or go for a run.

Lower Blood Pressure - Reduce Stress Part 1

2008-10-14T07:32:00.000-07:00

Tips to reduce stress and lower blood pressure

Drive a safe Vehicle

For many driving is amongst the most stressful of daily activities.

For all the bad publicity that SUVs get it is worth considering the benefits of driving one of the safest road vehicles. Land Rover Freelander has been awarded stars for its safety by EuroNcap (see the Freelander safety report here) and add to this the improved fuel economy of the Freelander coupled with lower CO2 emissions perhaps it is time to reconsider this as being an aid to help reduce blood pressure

Soothing Music

For a long time it has been a favourite method of relaxing - listening to soothing music. These days you don't have to play the music through your stereo system - with the latest digital media players you can take your tunes anywhere. Possibly the most popular mp3 player around is the iPod. To make the most of relaxation time listening to music look out for the great deals and find cheap iPods online.

Aromatherapy

With the correct use of fragrances research indicates that deeper relaxation is often achieved with essential perfumes oils. Many essential oils are inexpensive and there is a move towards using cheap perfumes and lowering blood pressure whilst enjoying wonderful aromas and fragrances.

See how the blood pressure rises in this video which features a woman going crazy after smelling cheap perfume on her man - be careful how you use it.

This is the first part of a series "how to lower blood pressure". next time we will feature exercise, diet and something else surprising.

Omron M10IT Blood Pressure Monitor Reviews

2008-09-05T07:51:00.000-07:00

It has been over a year since the first article about the launch of the latest blood pressure monitor from Omron -the Omron M10-IT was published here (September 2007) we thought it would be of value to our visitors and anyone considering buying this machine to have a round up of user reviews.

The Omron M10IT Blood Pressure Monitor has enjoyed enormous success in the home user market and is increasingly being seen in surgeries where it begins to be chosen as a replacement for the M6 Comfort. The Omron M10 has been developed to include all the well rated features for the M6 and include further sophisticated functions whilst remaining easy to use.

The popularity of the Omron M10 machine is also helped by the competitive prices found online - with some retailers offering the model for under fifty pounds.

Omron M10 User Reviews

Generally there is consensus that the Omron M10-it blood pressure monitor is a well made machine, easy to use, accurate and excellent value for money.

However some users expressed their dissatisfaction with the "One Size Fits ALL" Comfort Cuff.
The preformed cuff is designed for Medium 22cm to Large 44cm arms but fails to serve those with small arms - although a minority in the adult population consideration for older users has to be given - as they will particularly be looking for a comfortable easy to use blood pressure monitor but are likely to have thinner arms.

It was also noted that cuffs from previous Omron Monitors will not fit the Omron M10.

Most people highlighted the extended memory for storing readings of multiple users as they found this especially helpful when visiting their Doctors.

Doctors agreed that the way the Omron M10IT monitor takes an average of three readings made them feel comfortable about using the dat gathered by their patients at home.

How to use a blood pressure monitor

2008-08-29T13:10:00.000-07:00

How to use a blood pressure monitor.

Following the success of this measure blood pressure video we are pleased to offer another excellent clip.

Quick easy and accurate. For further information about blood pressure and where you can get your blood pressure measured during the blood pressure testing week on the lower blood pressure blog

Stethoscopes and Measuring Blood Pressure

2008-08-19T06:20:00.000-07:00

Leading medical professionals continually argue which method of taking blood pressure is "best". The standard image of the hospital Doctor wearing a stethoscope around his neck often comes to mind but there are other methods of taking blood pressure readings than the traditional ones that don't rely manually listening to the pulse during testing

Not so long ago the consensus was that wrist monitors were not satisfactorily accurate nor consistent - however with improved technologies such as Advanced Positioning which assists users to maintain the correct level to the heart their reliability is becoming acknowledged.

For many years the British Hypertension Society and Blood Pressure Organisation have promoted automatic upper arm machines. These digital monitors automatically inflate and deflate the cuff and have built in sensors to take the readings when the pulse stops and restarts. The sensors are considered to be much more accurate than the human hearing through a stethoscope.

Many medical schools still insist that students train to take blood pressure with traditional aneroid equipment that includes a cuff, an attached pump, a stethoscope and a gauge which stands them in good stead for their careers - see this video using a stethoscope

Posts on the student doctors' forum show the preference for Littmann Stethoscopes - in particular the added value of the Littmann Cardiology III Stethoscope which is highly sensitive and only the users impaired hearing would render this unsuitable for measuring blood pressure in the "old fashioned" way.

As one commenter said - "why risk a $200,000 education by saving $20? Cutting Corners when buying a stethoscope is a big mistake."

Often the schools have close relationships with the local suppliers where student go to get their stethoscopes when starting their course. It can be a daunting task choosing a new stethoscope but with some research suitable models can be found online and even price comparison sites now have feeds from many leading medical supply stores - alternatively try specialist shops such as Medisave in the UK or Medisave USA

Preventing Dementia with Blood Pressure Treatment

2008-08-01T06:24:00.000-07:00

Recent news has raised expectations that a side effect of taking some blood pressure medicines is that certain drugs have been identified as helping to prevent dementia - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7492959.stm

Research has found a definite link between high blood pressure and dementia. A study published in Lancet Neurology journal by an Imperial College medical research team suggests that treatment for high blood pressure will reduce this by 15%.

Controlling blood pressure from middle-age onwards may dramatically reduce the chances of developing dementia, researchers have said.

Two studies support a link between high blood pressure and dementia risk - with one by an Imperial College London team suggesting treatment could cut this.

In the UK at least one in three people aged over 55 has high blood pressure that remains undiagnosed or untreated. the only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to have it measured with a blood pressure monitor

Of course it is crucial that efforts to detect and treat high blood pressure to reduce stroke and heart disease are increased, even without the additional results on dementia.

Recent announcements that one of the jobs UK doctors least enjoy - taking blood pressure - can now be done by patients themselves with pants that measure blood pressure and using mobile broadband technology should mean more and more people maintaining a healthy lifestyle and knowing their blood pressure readings.

The trial was stopped early after the benefits of treatment in terms of reducing strokes and heart disease were so obvious it became unethical to deny them to everyone.

Although this meant that no benefits in terms of dementia could be found, when these results were combined with other similar studies in different age groups, the incidence of dementia was 13% lower in the treated groups.

The precise reasons why high blood pressure might increase the risk of dementia are not fully understood. Many medical professionals believe that it can starve the brain of oxygen which is carried by the blood flow to the brain.

Those with restricted blood flow are often described as having "vascular dementia", and account for around 25% of dementia patients.

Other types of dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease, have no obvious link to blood flow, but some experts think that blood pressure may still be somehow contributory in some cases.

The Lancet Neurology study looked at a trial of elderly patients with high blood pressure to see if those who were receiving treatment were less likely to develop any form of dementia compared with those left untreated.

Mobile Phones Enable Self Management of Health

2008-07-09T06:35:00.000-07:00

Experts at Leeds University are developing a mobile phone that checks its owners health.

Following the report that Omron is targeting online health record customers by developing a sinister sounding " special relationship with microsoft health vault" we were delighted to read that innovative products and systems for blood pressure measurement and data storage in the UK

Recognising that early detection of conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes can be helped if identified early and that the well being of patients is greatly enhanced when they have more control and self management a team at the University of Leeds has been aiming to design integrated equipment and technology which allows us to monitor and control our health care, via highly portable devices such as mobile phones, PDA's, laptops and home PCs and using the internet the collected data is linked to medical health care services.

Many physiological conditions can be monitored by an individual and now this invention will allow consumers to take regular measurements of blood pressure, heart rate and even glucose levels without the need to go into a surgery or to take cumbersome monitors with them when they travel.

Traditional blood pressure monitors or a special 'bracelet' measures blood pressure and stores the data which is transfered to your mobile phone via bluetooth connectivity. Using the latest mobile broadband connections the data can be set to a remote server, where medical practitioners can view and interpret the data.

If there appears to be a problem especially a critical situation the medical team can phone you immediately to suggest action.

A spokesperson said " a mobile phone should not be seen as a replacement for GP's but it will mean patients need to visit surgeries less for routine checks and help them take more control of their own health care."

Off with big bags - down with high blood pressure

2008-06-24T08:15:00.000-07:00

Carrying a large heavy bag over the shoulder compresses the veins and causes an increase in your Blood Pressure within ten minutes it is claimed by the anti-heavy-bag-brigade.
The article chuck that bag on Healthbot continues to explain that heavy bag wearers should consider giving your massive over shoulder bag the push to help lower blood pressure - and changes in blood pressure readings are almost instantly noticeable.

Wearing a heavy bag compresses the veins in your shoulders and increases your BP in as little as 10 minutes! So imagine the kind of damage you could be doing during an all-day shopping marathon.

Solution? A smaller, less heavy bag or using a thicker strap at least 2 inches wide would help distribute the pressure form the bag more evenly.

Another gem from Easy Health Tips - encourages "sticking your buns out" to lower high blood pressure.

Pants that measure blood pressure.

2008-06-11T02:36:00.000-07:00

Leading electrical development company Philips has begun its campaign to become a recognised authority in the health care market and has announced that it has made a patent application of undergarments that can measure blood pressure. The so called 'smarty pants' contain electronic sensors stitched into the waist band elastic and are designed to measure the speed of the pulse - by measuring this velocity and the time taken for the same pulse to go from one sensor to another the pants will calculate the wearers systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

High blood pressure has no visible symptoms and pants like these will allow the wearers to discretely check their blood pressure and seek medical help should they continue to record high readings.

These smart pants are part of a 4 year programme that Philips hopes will incorporate monitoring systems into clothes, bedding, home appliances and vehicles - Land Rover have been using similar terrain sensor technologies in their best selling SUV's to improve its safety and intend to extend this into other models.

The next time your GP asks you to drop your pants - it could be to check your blood pressure.

Lower blood pressure herbal remedies, garlic, hawthorn - alternative treatments

2008-05-23T09:09:00.000-07:00

“Limited and inadequate evidence is available to support the use of garlic, herbal and other complementary medicines to lower blood pressure.”

This is the conclusion of the British Hypertension Society Guidelines 2004 when asked for a statement regarding herbal remedies.

The fact that herbal remedies are natural does not guarantee that they are safe.

Many country dwellers favour such remedies in the same manner as opting for a land rover when other more modern and effective methods are now available.

You should be very careful about taking herbs to treat your high blood pressure. They should not be used in place of conventional treatments and if you do decide to take them as a supplement to your regular medication, you should tell both your doctor and your herbalist about the other medicines you take. Some herbs can interact with conventional medicines and may be harmful.

Will hawthorn products lower my blood pressure?

Hawthorn is an country-folk remedy for many cardiovascular issues. There's little evidence of real benefit and none that hawthorn helps to lower blood pressure.

Can eating lots of garlic lower blood pressure?

In the absence of large, properly controlled experiments and studies of garlic that show that eating lots of garlic can lower blood pressure. Whilst garlic supplements aren't recommended to take to help lower high blood pressure, using it in your cooking as a flavouring can help you reduce the salt and help your low sodium diet!

Lowering Blood Pressure - Success through Sleep

2008-05-15T08:54:00.000-07:00

There has been a noticeable increase in blogs that purport to offer solutions for lowering blood pressure. Judging by the number of Google Alerts we receive each day at Blood Pressure Info it seems that the importance of controlling blood pressure is finally being acknowledged.

Then again we are not unaware of scurrilous sites that are purely hoping to turn a quick buck by claiming to offer "amazing" treatments and herbal remedies to lower blood pressure or at very least hoping for the odd adsense click to earn the price of a daily coffee.

Recently we read over at Your BP blog that research has shown that improved sleep does have a positive effect on blood pressure and we are keen to promote this as common sense prevails - the old adage "early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy wealthy and wise".

The post went on to list suggestions as how to achieve better sleep including paying attention to the room you sleep - well ventilated, dark and quiet, the bedding you choose to sleep in and methods of relaxation all play an important part in good sleep behaviour.

To exclude light intrusion it is worth considering blackout roller blinds or well fitted Venetian blinds rather than ordinary ready made curtains. Both blinds and curtains allow proper ventilation which is important for restful deep sleep.

The conclusion of the research was that poor sleep was a contributory factor in raising blood pressure levels and it is something that most people can do something about to help themselves.

Quality Concerns Can Overseas manufacturers maintain high standards

2008-04-14T08:20:00.000-07:00

Overseas production over trusted products - omron blood pressure monitors and Land Rovers Freelanders will they maintain their reliability?

Omron Healthcare Manufacturing officially put into operation its factory that manufactures blood pressure monitors in Binh Duong Province.

Located in the Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park II, the plant can currently produce up to 5,000 monitors annually however a chinese official was keen to point out that figure is expected to triple within 12 months.

The factory, built in May last year, was designed to meet the rapidly growing demand for home blood pressure monitors around the world.

The products will be exported to US, Europe including UK, South America and Asia - all countries which have successfully produced the monitors for their home market

The news that Omron are hoping to rapidly expand the manufacturing operations in China follows the news of Land Rover's similar plight that their affairs will be controlled by an Indian corporation Tata

But the rapid expansion of factories that produce highly specialised equipment - whether it be medical apparatus or high specification vehicles is raising concerns with quality standard experts. Just as this article highlights the necessary quality standards for blood pressure monitors similar reports are produced for vehicles - see this example of an EU report on Freelander safety features

There's an interesting fact on the Freelander wiki entry claims that it will continue to be manufactured in the UK

Omron HEM-Solar

2008-03-15T10:37:00.000-07:00

Solar Powered Blood Pressure Monitors

OMRON has developed the HEM-SOLAR Series, solar-powered digital blood pressure monitors.

"HEM-SOLAR monitors will allow health practitioners and individuals to take blood pressure readings wherever sunlight is available" explained Wayne Kerr of Medicins Sans Frontiers "It will become an essential piece of our kit and all our Land Rover response vehicles will carry both manual and automatic models when they become available."

"The development of this series further illustrates Omron's commitment to environmental stewardship."

Omron Healthcare has developed two blood pressure monitors for the series, a manual upper-arm and automatic upper-arm model. Both are charged by exposure to sunlight through the solar panel at the back of the product.

After 4 hours of direct exposure to sunlight, the manual model can take more than 100 readings while the automatic model can take 28 readings. When fully charged the automatic machine can be used over 100 times.

Wherever sunlight is available, the monitors facilitate easy readings, regardless of proximity to an electrical supply source.

Omron aims to release the products in spring 2009 and will continue R&D efforts to improve device quality with respect to temperature and humidity, and will make the devices more airtight so that they can be recharged under a wider variety of conditions.

The HEM-SOLAR blood pressure monitors are environmentally conscious and use rechargeable batteries, not regular batteries, to reduce waste and emit less Co2 by using solar energy. Given the product's lifespan of 30,000 uses, the amount of waste materials that can be reduced is 80 batteries with the manual model and 400 batteries with the automatic model.

Omron M6 Comfort Blood Pressure Monitor

2008-02-29T02:14:00.000-08:00

Omron M6 Comfort - Leading Blood Pressure Monitor

Last year Omron introduced the m6 blood pressure monitor to its range of upper arm digital machines along with the M7 which included a large cuff. Omron have discontinued manufacturing the M6 machine and released the upgraded Omron M6 Comfort.

Customer feedback and online sites which encouraged customer reviews of the blood pressure monitors they had bought and were using highlighted that consumers were sometimes torn between choosing the M6 Comfort or the Omron M7 - both now featuring a large comfortable cuff option. Although the Omron M6 was launched as a new model it was able to continue to carry the British Hypertension Society A/A clinical validation earned by its predecessor.

A review on Medisave - "I am delighted I chose the M6 Comfort monitor - it has all the benefits of the larger cuff but is also A/A validated plus it has the irregular heartbeat and average functions unlike the M7. This version is the special comfort cuff version of the Omron M6. This unique pre-formed cuff is extremely easy to use and is more comfortable than the regular soft cuff. It has an arm range of 22-42cm"

Omron have combined the best of both worlds and discontinued the M7 leaving the Omron M6 Comfort blood pressure monitor as the leading machine not just for home use but increasingly used in doctors surgeries -

The Omron M6 Comfort can be purchased for £55 online at Medisave payment through google checkout or major credit card.

More Monitors Approved by Hypertension Society

2008-01-26T06:52:00.000-08:00

New models and improved and wrist monitors validated by BHS

Up until the very end of 2007 only around fifteen models of blood pressure monitors had achieved British Hypertension Society accreditaion. The "chosen few" were from three Maufacturers - Omron, A & D Instuments and Microlife.

During the first quater of 2008 many more machines have been added to the list of BHS approved monitors.

Some are simply modifications of existing validatd models - such as the Omron M6 with new improved Comfort Fit Cuff and the A&D UA 767 Plus (Memeory Plus)

Interesting to see a selction of Wrist Blood Pressure Monitors appearing - against the published advice of the Hypertension Society and BP Association Guidelines whose concerns about their accuracy should be reduced with the improved technologies used in these machines. The Omron R6 and R7 wrist blood pressure monitors are an ideal solution for those who find using upper arm machine difficult but who would still like to take their own readings.

Boots - the high street chemist - now boasts its own brand of machines are on the list - they are however on investigation Omron machines and have been tested for accuracy.

Six models from Spengler have appeared. Unknown to the Blood Presure Info blog the only reference I find on the web is a mention in a British medical journal BMJ report about clinical validation of blood pressure measuring devices. Nor can we track down any suppliers for the Spengler machines maybe they are old style sphygs that require a stethoscope

A wide selection of all the current validated blood pressure monitors are available online a Medical supply specialists Medisave or the First Aid Warehouse.

If you would like to watch a video clip about using blood pressure monitors properly follow this link "how to measure your blood pressure"

Salt - easy on the white stuff this Christmas

2007-12-18T02:59:00.000-08:00

It is high time that the popular television cookery programmes presented by celebrity chefs took notice of the clear health message about salt and its effect on blood pressure. Organisations such as Action on Salt whose information is based on research of leading cardiologists and nutrition experts are raising awareness of the impact that salt in our diet has.

Surely pressure needs to but placed where it will have a mass audience - would it be so hard for Nigella et al to hold back on the generous sprinklings of salt - if they truely were great cooks they would allow the natural flavours to prevail and help reduce high blood pressure and associated heart diseases.

Make a New Year resolution early - cut the salt this Christmas.

For detailed references see evidence of salt and its effect on health, salt and suggestions to help people reduce salt in food

Broadband solution to online blood pressure records

2007-11-29T06:07:00.000-08:00

Microsoft - heard of them somwhere before - are entering the healthcare industry with their Healthvault. HealthVault will be an online system in which you will be able to view, your complete health records.

Users will be able to view information from medical devices such as blood pressure machines and body fat monitors. For example those using the latest digital blood pressure monitors such as the Omron M10 can connect to the internet by broadband and will be able to upload their results through their pc directly over the internet whilst taking the readings.

With sensitive medical information wizzing down the line it becomes increasingly important that you choose a trusted, reputable broadband provider such as British Telecoms in the UK who not only offer cheap broadband but fast transfer speeds with additional online privacy and security which is reassuring - "Patients need to be convinced that electronic personal health records (ePHRs) are safe" a group of leading academics have warned.

Healthvault have the following statement on their site: "Whether you are searching for the most up to date treatments, refer to existing health records, get test results or monitor physical readings Healthvault provides the control you need.

Omron HEM-711DLX Blood Pressure Monitor

2007-11-05T08:32:00.000-08:00

Omron HEM-711DLX Blood Pressure Monitor

A new model from Omron, the HEM-711 DLX Monitor makes the important task of taking blood pressure readings at home comfortable, affordable and simple. The HEM 711DLX is available from Amazon.com at the amazing price of $73.95

Omron, renowned for its top quality automatic home blood pressure monitors now offer the HEM-711DLX. Omron's latest new model operates easily with quiet, one-touch operation and comes complete with the amazingly comfortable Comfort Cuff

Features of the Omron HEM-711DLX Blood Presure Monitor

Speed - You will take readings up to 2.5 Times Faster than other monitors
1-Touch Automatic Operation
Simple, Silent, More Comfortable Readings
5 Year Warranty
Intelli-sence Technology for Accurate,
Easy to read large digital display
Advanced Diagnostics - ComFit Cuff with SigmaCuff Technology
Includes AC Adapter and Carry Case

Instruction Manual is illustrated and written in both English and Spanish

With its expandable ComFit™ Cuff, the HEM-711DLX easily and comfortably fits both normal and big arms esuring clinical accuracy using IntelliSense technology which automatically checks that the right pressure is used to quickly measure and record accurate readings.

This monitor has an extra large digital display which is easily read. The HEM-711DLX includes advanced diagnostics detecting irregular heartbeat as well as standard metrics like systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

For those who like to keep a record of their readings the HEM-711DLX 60 measurements of memory with date and time stamp will be able to do so for at least two months.

Omron upper arm digital blood pressure monitors

This monitor is currently only available now in the US. Omron have many models approved by the British Hypertension Society - M6, M7 and the M10-IT widely availble in the UK. You can check prices of the latest models of available in the UK at savebuckets.com search omron blood pressure monitors

Ellie Precious lends support to health awareness campaign

2007-10-10T06:20:00.000-07:00

Online PR professional Ellie Precious volunteered her online PR skills to help the work of leading Blood Pressure Awareness health care organisations during their campaigns to encourage people to 'know their numbers'.

The annual campaign has grown to be a regular event for many pharmacies, occupational health teams and a multitude of other supporters who volunteer their time and equipment to check the blood pressure of members of the public for free.

During a series of short training session Ellie was able to highlight the importance of getting important healthcare messages across clearly and accurately online.

Ellie shared top tips about how to prepare a well crafted Press Release and how to distribute it effectively through online newswires hopefully grabbing the precious attention of relevant online and traditional media editors who will pick up the story and promote your message further.

It was suggested that by embracing web 2.0 technologies - social network sites and user interaction, peer reviews and recommendations can play a vital role in any online PR exercise.

By using all the channels available - video sites are now able to promote messages effectively - any organisation or business can distribute their message to a wide audience quickly and economically. A relevant example would be this clip - how to measure your blood pressure which combines easy to follow instructions with links to other useful resources for more information about blood pressure and monitoring it at home.

If you would like to know more about online PR you can contact Ellie via her Linked in pages - Ellie Precious

Omron M10-IT Blood Pressure Monitor Best Buy on Internet.

2007-09-04T07:06:00.000-07:00

Latest Blood Pressure Monitor: Cheap Omron M10-IT Blood Pressure Monitor

Developments in blood pressure monitoring reveal that readings taken before lunch are more helpful in the evaluation of an individual's hypertension and the subsequent treatments and lifestyle changes needed to control and lower blood pressure.

At the forefront of distributing BHS validated blood pressure monitors to both health professionals and the private sector, Medisave is a medical supplies company that identifies the growing public need and brings the Omron M10-IT Blood Pressure Monitor to the marketplace at a low price.

White coat syndrome/hypertension burdens medical professionals and often leads to unnecessary anxiety for the patient and added time and expense for busy surgeries.

Many Cardiologists recommend monitoring blood pressure at home - a relaxed environment to gain better accuracy of their measurments. Technological advances means BHS (British Hypertension Society) validated blood pressure monitors validated to an AA rating (the highest available accuracy rating) are now available online at a much less than you would expect to pay in a pharmacists shop.

The latest in the professional Omron automatic upper arm monitors, which also proves incredibly popular with home users due to its ease of use, is the Omron M10-IT This fully automatic blood pressure monitor features special tracking memory for morning and evening measurements, a user switch allows to change from user A to B, and computer connectibility for full printout from your computer or sending your data to your healthcare professional.

Benefits of Using an Omron M10IT Blood Pressure Monitor include:

Memory capacity, 84 memories per user
Auto mode - automatically takes three measurements
Large three fold display (Sys/Dia/Pulse)
Clinical validation (International protocol and BHS pending)
Fully automatic upper arm blood pressure monitor
PC connectability
Intellisense technologyspeedy measurement
Dual sized comfort cuff (M-L 22-42 cm)
Date and time stamp memory
Irregular pulse detection

Key Points

Previous blood pressure monitors from Omron to this M10 - IT feature some of these benefits, this model is revolutionary in its ease of use and combination of each valuable feature - particularly special tracking memory and extensive multi user memory function.
Intellisense is a technology which has been utilised in previous models. However, to combine all these features in one model including the PC compatibility is a unique benefit to professional and patient alike.
Intellisense allows a much quicker reading as your blood pressure is scanned as the cuff inflates. This means no painful over-inflation and super fast results.

Medisave is well known for bringing exceptional brands such as Omron to the marketplace at incredibly low prices. Although the Omron M10-IT is likely to retail at nearer £100 in the high street, the consumer can benefit from excellent prices, full professional back up, guarantee period and sales advice when purchasing from Medisave.

Spreading the Blood Pressure Message across the Blogosphere

2007-08-21T06:22:00.000-07:00

Like all good researchers I use Google Alerts to highlight any activity on the web related to blood pressure. Recently I set the alerts to include blogs that refer to blood pressure monitors and measuring blood pressure - well if I blog on and on about blood pressure then who else does?

A post on Peacefairs blog about blood pressure testing reinforces the opinion that its of great benefit to keep an eye on measurements and emphasises that taking readings at home is often more accurate and of greater help to you and your GP than blood pressure measurements taken in the surgery.

Most other blog posts seemed to be "scrapde articles" from elsewhere on the web but I guess the more freely this information is available the better for our health and wellbeing.

I now hope to find out lots more about healthy eating as it appears there is a big link between bad diet and high blood pressure.

Blood Pressure - latest News

2007-08-10T07:33:00.000-07:00

A quick search of authority News sites - BBC and Times Online shows that research into blood pressure - the causes, prevention, monitoring and control continue around the world.
Differing opinions cause confusion.

In this article http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6266256.stm it is suggested that chocolate will help lower blood pressure but fails to highlight the detrimental effects of fat and sugars

Elsewhere http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6203255.stm we learn that alcohol consumption is another aid to reducing blood pressure - great news for all the drnkers who've been terrorised by the health police for many years. Is it only a matter of time before smoking is associated with lowering blood pressure and maintaining a healthy heart?

A serious concern is the effect of stress - not necessarily stress itself but the lifestyle that often accompanies stress - poor diet, lack of exercise the BBC report on it here http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/5132210.stm and more there is more specialist information relating to executive stress and raised blood pressure here

Omron M10 - Latest Blood Pressure Monitor

2007-07-16T06:19:00.000-07:00

Blood pressure monitoring for active prevention! Introducing the Omron M10 Blood Pressure Monitor.

Omron one of the leading manufacturers of blood pressure monitors that are suitable for people to use at home have just released their newest model onto the market.

The Omron M10 takes home monitoring to the next level - it combines all the previous features that made the M6 and M7 leaders in the field but also allows you to connect it to your pc (as if 84 memory readings weren't enough)

Additionally the M10 monitor features special tracking memory for morning and evening measurements and has weekly averaging for important long term tracking - this will give your GP useful information to help control your blood pressure.

Omron have also included a very clever function - in addition to being able to track and store two peoples readings, at the flick of a switch you can offer the machine to friends or family to try out. This way they will see how easy and simple the Omron M10 blood pressure is to use - fully automatic and with intellisense technology the inflation of the cuff is never painful.

For full specifications, details of 3 year warranty and British Hypertension Society validation status visit FirstAidWarehouse who now haxe the M10 in stock or see an independant review of the omron m10 here

Cheaper Blood Pressure Monitors with Google Checkout

2007-06-26T01:35:00.000-07:00

Great news if you're considering buying a blood pressure monitor. Both Medisave and Firstaidwarehouse have limited time offers for customers who spen £30 or more online using Google Checkout - they offer a £10 discount off the credit card transaction through "checkout". With the latest Approved British Hypertension Society Models like the Omron M6 and Microlife 123 you can almost feel the pressure falling with these fabulous deals on accurate blood pressure monitors.

How to Measure Blood Pressure Video

2007-06-04T07:44:00.000-07:00

This video demonstrates how to use a blood pressure monitor properly

This Video shows clearly how to measure blood pressure with a blood pressure monitor. It is an easy to follow video about home monitoring that clearly shows how to measure blood pressure using an upper arm automatic digital machine.

At MEDISAVE you can find out more about the range of accurate home blood pressure monitors available from online healthcare supply specialists. Visit the Medisave website

Video: How to use a blood pressure monitor

If a picture paints a thousand words then videos punctuate and distribute them.

Accompanying this Video is a free fact sheet "Measure blood pressure properly" available from Blood Pressure Organisation
Another nice easy to follow video how to measure blood pressure with a blood pressure monitor

Choosing and Buying a Blood Pressure Monitor

2007-04-11T13:54:00.000-07:00

Search for the phrase "blood pressure monitor" and the results returned are daunting. Shopping Comparison sites dominate the results mixed in with heavy going academic/medical sites.

It is important that the machine you choose is accurate and you have full instructions how to use it. A really easy to follow yet thorough instruction fact sheet "measuring your Blood Pressure" is available from the Blood Pressure Monitoring web site.

When you have selected a model it is a good idea to buy it online as the prices offered by Medical Supply Specialists such as First Aid Warehouse or Medisave are often much cheaper than in the high street.

It is highly recommended on the Online Shopping Guide that you use a dedicated credit card when buying online.

Again shop around for a credit card that offers low interest and wherever possible and interest free period. Mint online now offer a very good deal on for new cards and offer purchase protection should your card become the victim of online fraud.

Buying a blood pressure monitor online is no different to any other online purchase - be informed, be sure of the merchant and use your card safely.

Blood Pressure Monitors from First Aid Warehouse

2007-03-27T03:18:00.000-07:00

The First Aid Warehouse has re-launched its new web site and offers a wide range of medical equipment for sale online. It now stocks over a dozen blood pressure monitors validated by the British Hypertension Society.

They give full descriptions of the various types of monitor available and offer different cuff sizes so you can be sure that you are getting accurate readings ast home.

Prices of these recommended blood pressure monitors are on average 35% less than on the high street and post and packaging is reasonable. Payment by all major debit and credit cards is secure with their online shop. If, when you receive the machine you decide you don't want it there is a full return and refund (back onto original card) policy with no quibble.

Omron M6 Blood Pressure Monitor

2007-02-22T05:25:00.000-08:00

Omron, the leading manufacturer of blood pressure machines have introduced an excellent machine for people to use at home - the Omron M6 blood pressure monitor. With all the reliability of previous omron models the M6 has the largest digital display on the market, a supremely comfortable fitting cuff and even has the technology to detect if movement whilst taking the reading has affected the accuracy.

Learn more about the Omron M6 or buy it for less than £53 at The First Aid Warehouse

Asda join BPA in raising awareness

2007-02-05T03:43:00.000-08:00

In the run up to Valentine's Day, the Blood Pressure Association teams up with ASDA to run an early Know Your Numbers week from 1-7 February.

We are encouraging everyone to love their hearts by knowing their blood pressure numbers and taking action to lower their blood pressure.

Everyone can do this by having a quick, easy and painless blood pressure check and making healthy lifestyle choices.

Readings will be handed back to you on a credit card size report that you can keep.

During the event ASDA customers will receive special credit card sized handout with the BPA's tips on lowering blood pressure and can have free blood pressure checks at selected stores.

Staff from Fitness First will also be offering fitness advice at selected ASDA stores and giving customers the chance to win free gym membership. Click on the links above to sign up for the BPA's Free Guides to living a blood pressure friendly life and to search for ASDA stores taking part in the event.

Put Your Man to the Test

2006-12-08T02:28:00.000-08:00

A new campaign encourages women to test their partner’s blood pressure with a simple home test.

The ‘His Heart is in Your Hands’ campaign urges women to reduce the numbers of men who die each year from a heart disease or stroke. High blood pressure has virtually no visible symptoms resulting in more deaths and severe disability following Stroke than any other disease.

A simple home test using a Blood Pressure Monitor people can find out in just a few minutes if theiy or their partners are at risk and would benefit from medical advice and treatment.

The Blood Pressure Association, who supports home testing, says “measuring blood pressure at home with an accurate machine can be very worthwhile, it can give you more control over your blood pressure and be reassuring.

Blood Pressure Monitors are simple and easy to use at home. An inflatable cuff is put around the arm and a digital reading is given within just a few seconds.

Various Online Medical Equipment retailers who supply monitors to hospitals are now offering easy to use Home Monitors that are validated by the British Hypertension Society.

A list of recommended models/machines for home use is available at www.blood-pressure-monitoring.org/

On the site you will also find a full guide about how to measure blood pressure properly eg blood pressure is best tested when relaxed and calm.

Monitoring Blood Pressure at Home

2006-11-09T02:16:00.000-08:00

The only way of keeping track of your blood pressure is to measure it regularly with an accurate blood pressure monitor. Be careful when you choose one because there are many types and models of blood pressure monitors available.

It is crucial that you make an informed decision about which machine to buy and will suit you best.

It is very important to monitor how your blood pressure changes over time. This way you will have an active role in taking care of your own health and it will be easier to determine what kind of treatment you need.

Prices of a digital blood pressure monitor are not too high and they are easy to use.
The British Hypertension Society produces a list of clinicaly tested accurate blood pressure monitors. You can read more about these on this page.

It is important to use a recommended machine because otherwise you may perform innaccurate measurements and this should be avoided.

You must also take into account the fact the values of the blood pressure vary for everyone, so do not be frightened if a few of your readings are a bit over the line, this is normal for everybody. You should only worry if these high values keep repeating, and in this case you should contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Also, the values of the readings that you make with the blood pressure monitors may be lower than usual a few times, which is also normal.

If you want the readings to be as accurate as possible try to sit down, rested, on a hard surface when performing the measurements.

Finally do not forget that the purpose of measuring your blood pressure at home is is to lower it!

Blood Pressure Testing Week 11 - 17 September

2006-08-11T08:10:00.000-07:00

Know Your Numbers

The National Blood Pressure Testing Week is from 11th to 17th September 2006. This UK wide awareness week offers free blood pressure checks to members of the public using accurate blood pressure monitors in a wide variety of places.

Details fo where you can get your blood pressure measured will be posted at your local pharmacy, supermarket, shopping centre, Community Centre, surgery or work place nearer the time.

Visit this site to find out more about blood pressure monitoring .

This event is organised by the Blood Pressure Association.

Blood Pressure and Hot Weather

2006-07-27T04:06:00.000-07:00

During periods of hot weather many people who have high blood pressure begin to ask "does the hot weather affect my blood pressure?"

Due to the heat it is likely that more dehydration than usual occurs and this can be a cause of raising blood pressure.

Drinking plenty of water should help combat this.

If you want to check your blood pressure regularly at home then you can find out lots of information about buying and using home blood pressure monitors at the Blood Pressure Monitoring Website.

The new UK guidelines to blood pressure medicines and what they mean for you

2006-06-29T08:12:00.000-07:00

The new UK guidelines to blood pressure medicines and what they mean for you

If you have high blood pressure and are taking medicines to treat your condition, then this information sheet is for you. It contains information about the latest UK guidelines for treating high blood pressure and how this may affect you.

KEY POINTS

UK guidelines published in June 2006 have given new advice on which medicines should be used to treat high blood pressure.

One group of older medicines, beta-blockers, which have previously been used as a first choice of treatment for high blood pressure is no longer to be routinely used, except in a few special situations.

Taking newer medicines to treat high blood pressure significantly reduces the risk of having a stroke when compared with beta-blockers. They are also less likely to cause diabetes when compared with beta-blockers.

Your doctor may change your treatment if you are currently taking a betablocker.

Do not stop taking your medications suddenly or without consulting your doctor or nurse.

These new guidelines are a collaboration between the two UK organisations that publish guidelines on high blood pressure. This means that there is now one very clear pathway for health professionals and their patients to follow when choosing medicines.

Guidelines to follow.....view pdf

High blood pressure during pregnancy

2006-05-11T13:35:00.000-07:00

If you have high blood pressure and are planning to have a baby or if you are already pregnant and have high blood pressure then this fact sheet is for you. It provides information about prevention and treatment, along with antenatal care and pre-eclampsia.

I already have high blood pressure and am planning to become pregnant. What do I need to know?

If you already have high blood pressure and you and your partner are planning to have a baby you need to talk to your doctor about preparing to conceive. You can, like any other woman, have a successful and healthy pregnancy but if you have high blood pressure you have a slightly greater chance of complications than other women do. For this reason you will need to be more closely monitored than women without high blood pressure.

If at all possible any medicines that you take for high blood pressure will be stopped by your doctor before you become pregnant. You should not become pregnant whilst you are taking atenolol (beta-blocker), ACE Inhibitors or Angiotensin Receptor Blockers as these medications can affect the development of your baby. Therefore it is important that you plan your pregnancy if you can. Examples of ACE inhibitors and Angiotensin Receptor Blockers are in the table below.

ACE Inhibitors

Angiotensin Receptor Blockers
Captopril, Cilazapril, Enalapril, Fosinopril, Lisinopril, Perindopril, Ramipril, Trandolapril

Candesartan, Eprosartan, Irbesartan, Losartan, Telmisartan, Valsartan

However, some women will have to continue to take tablets for high blood pressure. If this is the case then you may find that your blood pressure falls in the middle of your pregnancy. If this happens, the tablets might be stopped. There are certain medicines that can safely be taken during pregnancy, so if you need to continue to take medications, there are choices available.

Throughout your pregnancy you will need to have your blood pressure checked regularly, at least once a month. Some women find it useful to buy a monitor to use at home, so that they can check their blood pressure levels in between the times when they see their doctor or midwife. Check with your midwife or doctor before you decide to buy a monitor, as home measurement may not be appropriate for everyone. Make sure that you use an accurate and properly validated machine. The BPMonitoring Org has a Free Information sheet, Measuring your Blood Pressure at with accurate approved Blood Pressure Monitors, which contains details of monitors. Contact us if you would like a copy.

I have developed high blood pressure during my pregnancy. What do I need to know?

One in every twenty women will develop high blood pressure whilst they are pregnant. If your blood pressure rises by a small amount and your urine contains no protein, then this is called gestational hypertension. If your blood pressure rises by a large amount, and your urine contains protein then this is called pre-eclampsia. It is now thought that gestational hypertension may be a milder form of pre-eclampsia so careful monitoring is essential.

Pre-eclampsia is caused by a problem with the placenta, which joins mother and baby and supplies the baby with nutrients and oxygen from the mother's blood. It is potentially very dangerous for both mother and baby if it is undetected. The signs and symptoms are a rise in blood pressure and protein in the urine. Sometimes the baby may be slow to grow and the mother may have swollen hands and feet, though there are other things that can cause these symptoms. It is very important that all pregnant women have regular checks by their midwife throughout their pregnancy, so that any problems can be spotted early and dealt with.

If you are found to have pre-eclampsia then you and your baby will be closely monitored. The only way to stop pre-eclampsia is for the baby to be delivered, which can sometimes mean a premature birth. Action on Pre-Eclampsia is an organisation that provides information on pre-eclampsia. Their details are listed at the end of this information sheet if
you would like to know more.

High blood pressure can be treated during pregnancy. Your doctor may ask you to make some changes to your diet, or change your lifestyle and if your blood pressure is very high, may ask you to take medications to lower it. There are medicines that are safe for you and your baby, but you will need to be monitored closely. Your doctor will avoid medications unless there is no alternative.

Methyldopa is the medicine most commonly used to manage high blood pressure during pregnancy. Diuretics, ACE inhibitors, Angiotensin Receptor Blockers and atenolol (a beta-blocker) should not be used during pregnancy. Other beta-blockers, such as labetolol are occasionally used, though there is very little evidence about their effects during pregnancy. Likewise, there is very little information on the use of calcium channel-blockers in pregnancy. If your blood pressure is sufficiently high, then these latter drugs will be used to reduce it.

The Blood Pressure Association has a booklet Medicines for high blood pressure. Contact us for a copy.

If you develop high blood pressure during your pregnancy then it is very important that once the baby is born that you make sure your blood pressure is regularly checked until it returns to its usual level. Blood pressure levels can rise sharply in the days following the delivery of a baby and can continue at high levels for a few weeks. In most women it returns to the same levels as prior to the pregnancy, but it is important to check that this has happened.

Am I more likely to develop pre-eclampsia if I already have high blood pressure prior to becoming pregnant?

If you already have high blood pressure then you have a slightly greater chance of developing pre-eclampsia in another pregnancy. Your doctor and midwife will closely monitor your blood pressure and then treat your blood pressure if it starts to rise.

There is no way of preventing pre-eclampsia, though you should eat a healthy diet (low in salt and saturated fats and high in fruit and vegetables) throughout your pregnancy, to ensure that you and your baby are healthy.

I had high blood pressure during a previous pregnancy. What do I need to know?

High blood pressure in a previous pregnancy does not necessarily mean that you will have it again in a later pregnancy, though you do have a slightly greater chance of having it than a woman who has never had a raised blood pressure. Many women who have high blood pressure during pregnancy have a normal blood pressure in later pregnancies.

There has been some research which suggests that women who have high blood pressure or pre-eclampsia during pregnancy may be more likely to have a stroke or heart disease much later in life. It is important for everyone to know what their blood pressure is and to make sure that it is checked regularly so that any rise in your blood pressure can be picked up and treated when necessary. If you have had pre-eclampsia or high blood pressure during a pregnancy, it is even more important that you have your blood pressure checked as you grow older, ideally every year.

Can I breast feed my baby if I am taking medicines for high blood pressure?

There is some evidence that atenolol gets into breast milk, although this has affected the baby in just two cases. All other medicines for high blood pressure are safe in breast feeding, but in general doctors are keen to avoid using medicines in women who breast feeding. You should make sure that your doctor knows if you intend to breast feed.

Need to know more?
Your midwife, obstetrician or doctor can help with more information

2006-04-02T08:00:00.000-07:00

Home blood pressure monitoring improves hypertension control

Patients with high blood pressure (hypertension) who monitor their blood pressure at home have better control of their condition, according to a new study published today at www.bmj.com by the BMJ. The study by Professor Francesco Cappuccio of the Department of Community Health Sciences, at St George's Hospital Medical School, will also be presented at the European Society of Hypertension in Paris.

Professor Cappuccio and his team of researchers analysed 18 blood pressure monitoring studies involving nearly 3000 people with hypertension. A total of 1359 monitored their blood pressure at home, while 1355 had their blood pressure monitored in the healthcare system.

They found that blood pressure was lower in people who had home blood pressure monitoring than in those who were seen in the healthcare system. A greater proportion of them also achieved blood pressure targets when assessed in the clinic.

"Although the reasons for this are not clear, blood pressure monitoring by patients at home is associated with better blood pressure values and improved control of hypertension than usual blood pressure monitoring in the healthcare system", Professor Cappuccio says.

"As home blood pressure monitoring is now feasible, acceptable to patients and generally reliable, it could help to involve patients more closely in the management of their own blood pressure and help to manage their hypertension more effectively", the authors conclude.

Find out more about home blood pressure monitors.

Ways to lower high blood pressure

2006-01-01T06:54:00.000-08:00

High Blood Pressure Treatment Starts with You

While high blood pressure (also know as hypertension) is a serious health problem, there’s good news. No matter what your age or physical condition, there are things you can do to prevent high blood pressure.

Here we offer these 8 tips to help you prevent high blood pressure, or reduce your blood pressure if it’s already a problem.

Are you overweight? Lose weight.

Maintaining a healthy weight (see your doctor about this) will help prevent high blood pressure.

Getting back to a healthy weight is not as hard as it sounds. You can start by limiting the portion size of your meals and snacks, and cut way back on high calorie foods.

If you eat as many calories as you burn each day, you’ll maintain your weight. Eating fewer calories than you burn will help you lose weight. And losing weight will help lower your blood pressure.

When you plan meals, think of your heart.

Choose a diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables. Keep total fat low and avoid foods that are high in saturated fats and cholesterol.
Having a healthy heart will help prevent blood pressure.

Eat less salt and sodium.

Salt and sodium can increase blood pressure, so it’s important to read food labels. Guidelines suggest limiting sodium intake to no more than 2,400 mg, or about 1 teaspoon of salt each day.
If you eat canned, processed, and convenience foods, buy the brands that are lower in sodium.

If you salt your food at the table, try using less, or none. It may take a little while to get used to the new flavors, but you may find that food tastes better when you use less salt.

Fast food can contain a lot of sodium, so if you eat fast food choose items that are lower in salt and sodium. Reducing your salt intake will help to prevent high blood pressure.

If you drink alcohol, practice moderation.

Guidelines recommend that men have no more than 2 drinks per day, and women have no more than one alcoholic beverage per day.

Increase your physical activity.

Exercise is a key factor in preventing high blood pressure.
If you get very little exercise now, start slowly and work your way up to at least 30 minutes of a moderate-level activity, such as brisk walking or bicycling, each day. If time is a factor, you’ll still benefit by breaking the 30 minute daily exercise periods into 10 or 15 minute sessions.

Stop smoking.

Research shows that smoking increases your chances of developing a heart disease, stroke, stroke, peripheral arterial disease, and several forms of cancer.

Talk with your doctor or health care professional.

Learn what your blood pressure reading means to your health, and if medication is recommended for you to treat or prevent high blood pressure.

If your doctor prescribes medication, take it.

It’s important to understand:

what your blood pressure medication is expected to do for you

how to take your medication, and when

if your blood pressure medication has any side effects

if the blood pressure medication is safe to take with any other prescriptions or vitamins you are already taking
If you have high blood pressure and treatment is prescribed, don't be afraid to ask questions or get another medical opinion. Once you understand why you’re taking the medication, follow the recommended dose.

But the best way to treat high blood pressure is to prevent high blood pressure from becoming a problem. These tips, plus advice from your health care provider, can help you keep your blood pressure at a healthy level.

Blood Pressure - a useful guide to understand and control your blood pressure.

2005-12-29T09:32:00.000-08:00

Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is the pressure of blood in your arteries. The higher your blood pressure the greater your risk of developing narrowed arteries, which can lead to heart problems and strokes. The good news is that if your blood pressure is high, it can be lowered by making changes to your lifestyle, for example changing your diet, exercising and losing weight, and when needed, with tablets. This will reduce your risk of developing heart and brain problems that might otherwise occur if your blood pressure is not treated. However, in many people, blood pressure is not checked or measured and in some people who have high blood pressure it may not treated adequately.

This information is designed to give you more information about your blood pressure. This will help you to understand more about your treatments and to help you to play a greater role in keeping your blood pressure controlled.

What is blood pressure?

Your heart pumps blood around your body through a network of tubing called arteries. Every time your heart pumps it forces blood through these arteries and into smaller blood vessels called capillaries. The force that your heart produces in your arteries when it pumps is called your blood pressure. When the heart contracts and forces blood through the arteries your blood pressure goes up, when the heart relaxes it goes down.

This pressure can be measured and is usually written down like this:

140/90mmHg

The top number, which is called the systolic pressure, shows the pressure in your arteries when your heart is forcing blood through them. The bottom number, called the diastolic pressure, shows the pressure in your arteries when your heart relaxes. The top number can be anywhere from 90 to 240 and the bottom number can be anywhere from 60 to 140. Blood pressure is measured in millimetres of mercury, which is written down as: mmHg

Everyone has a different blood pressure and it can change in the same person during the day and night.

What is high blood pressure?

High blood pressure can also be called hypertension; both words mean the same thing. The higher your blood pressure, what ever it is, the higher your risk of heart disease or stroke.

140/90mmHg is the level of blood pressure used to diagnose high blood pressure. If your blood pressure is consistently raised at these levels and above, it will need to be treated. Treatment may involve making changes to your lifestyle and/or taking medication. This level of 140/90mmHg is the level for high blood pressure for everyone, whether you are male or female, young or old.

High blood pressure can be a systolic reading of 140 or above, a diastolic reading of 90 or above, or both. For example, a reading of 150/85mmHg is high because the systolic is above 140; a reading of 139/95mmHg is high because the diastolic is above 90. A reading of 150/95mmHg is also high as both the systolic and the diastolic number are raised. As you get older you may find that your diastolic level is normal but your systolic level starts to rise and this is called isolated systolic hypertension. This is common among older people, and still needs to be treated.

140/85mmHg is the target blood pressure for people who are receiving treatment for their high blood pressure. The only exception to this target level is if you have diabetes, kidney disease or have already suffered a stroke or heart attack. Then it may be worthwhile lowering your blood pressure even further.

Why is high blood pressure important?

High blood pressure is a risk factor for heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and dementia. This means that if you have high blood pressure you are at greater risk of developing these conditions than someone who does not have high blood pressure.

Having high blood pressure causes strain on the vessels carrying blood around your body. This strain can cause vessels to become clogged up or to weaken and this in turn can lead to narrow blood vessels and clots, which can cause damage to the heart or brain. More rarely it can lead to the blood vessels bursting. Having high blood pressure can also cause heart failure. Heart failure is when your heart can not pump blood around the body as well as it should and this can cause you to become short of breath and can cause your ankles to swell. High blood pressure can cause kidney failure, some eye conditions, and there is some research that shows that by lowering blood pressure you may be able to prevent some types of dementia. So, there are many very good reasons for controlling your blood pressure both and now and in the future.

High blood pressure is a serious condition, and one that you should not ignore. However, the really good news is that it can be lowered either by changing your lifestyle or if necessary adding in tablets. The lower you can get your blood pressure the lower your risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and dementia.

How common is high blood pressure?

In the United Kingdom there are about 16 million people with a blood pressure higher than 140/90mmHg. One in every three women and two in every five men now have high blood pressure, with larger numbers affected in older age groups. For example, about half of all people over the age of 75 have the condition. Although you may be said to have high blood pressure, or a normal blood pressure, it is important to realise that the higher your blood pressure, whatever it is, the higher your risk of heart disease or stroke. This means that all of us should be adopting a lifestyle that will help to lower our blood pressure whether we have high blood pressure or not.

How is blood pressure measured?

Your blood pressure can be measured either by using a device called a sphygmomanometer or by using a digital machine.

A sphygmomanometer is the older kind of equipment that measures blood pressure using a column of mercury. The person taking your blood pressure will put a cuff around the top of your arm, pump up this cuff and then listen for sounds through a stethoscope placed on your arm. The sounds heard through the stethoscope will start, and then finish, at certain points on the mercury column, and this will give the reading for your blood pressure. There are also automatic, or partly automatic, digital machines that can measure blood pressure. They also use a cuff around your arm and will give a readout of your blood pressure.

In order to be sure that you have high blood pressure, you will be asked to have readings taken several times. This is to make sure that you have consistently high blood pressure, rather than high blood pressure because you are nervous at the doctors or have rushed to get to your appointment.

What causes high blood pressure?

A small number of people have what is called secondary hypertension, which means that there is an underlying cause of their high blood pressure. For example, some people develop high blood pressure if they have problems with their kidneys or the adrenal glands, which sit above the kidneys. These glands produce hormones that are important in controlling blood pressure.

However, for most people there is no definite cause for their high blood pressure and doctors call this essential hypertension. The small blood vessels in the body narrow and this causes the pressure to build up, a bit like squeezing a garden hose.

High blood pressure can run in the family, and if you have a parent with high blood pressure then you are more likely to have high blood pressure yourself.

If you are black then you are more likely to have high blood pressure than the rest of the population in the United Kingdom; you may be more sensitive to salt in your diet and more likely to have a stroke. If you are South Asian then you are more likely to have diabetes or a heart attack which means that it is important for you to keep your blood pressure and cholesterol well controlled. The reasons for this are not fully understood.

Some other conditions are also linked to high blood pressure, such as diabetes, kidney disease and heart disease. If you have any of these conditions then it is even more important that your blood pressure is well controlled.

Your blood pressure is very much affected by your lifestyle. The important factors are:

· Eating too much salt
· Not eating enough fruit and vegetables
· Not exercising enough
· Being overweight
· Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol

Whereas you cannot change your genes, or the fact that you will grow older, you can change your lifestyle. Changing your diet and exercising more will lower your blood pressure. This is something that everyone should do but is particularly important if you have high blood pressure as it may avoid the need for tablets.

Can high blood pressure be treated?

High blood pressure is not usually something that you can cure, but it can be treated. Lowering blood pressure causes a large reduction in strokes, heart attacks, heart failure and kidney disease that would otherwise have occurred and may reduce your risk of developing some kinds of dementia.

How will my high blood pressure be treated?

How your high blood pressure is treated will depend on how high it is and on what other ‘risk factors’ you have for heart disease and stroke.

If your blood pressure is between 140-160/90-100mmHg then you will probably be asked to make some changes to your lifestyle. You will probably not need to take tablets providing that the changes you make work. In this way you can lower your own blood pressure without needing to take tablets. However, some people with a blood pressure in this range may be prescribed medication to take. This is usually if they are older or have other risk factors for heart disease and stroke, such as high cholesterol, smoking or already have complications such as a previous stroke or heart attack.
So if you have a blood pressure reading in this range you should:

· Cut down the amount of salt you are eating
· Eat at least seven to nine portions of fruit and vegetables every day
· Take more exercise
· Lose weight if you are over weight
· Cut down on the amount of alcohol you are drinking, if it is excessive

If your blood pressure is consistently over 160/100mmHg then you will probably be given tablets to take as well as being asked to make changes to your lifestyle. You are aiming to reach a target blood pressure of 140/85mmHg or less whilst making sure that you feel fit and well. There will, however, be a small number of people who may find their blood pressure very difficult to control even with medication.

Changing your lifestyle.

All people who have high blood pressure should make changes to their lifestyle. These changes can be enough to lower your blood pressure to a level where you may not need to take tablets. Even if you need tablets, the changes to your lifestyle will make the tablets more effective.

These changes to your lifestyle should be adopted by the whole family, as, increasing evidence suggests that this will lower blood pressure and prevent high blood pressure from occurring later in life. A healthy diet will also make you feel much better.

These are the five main changes you can make:

1. Cut down on your salt

We each eat about 10 grams of salt (sodium chloride) each day and this can easily be reduced by half to 5 grams each day. That means cutting down from a dessert spoon of salt every day to a teaspoon. You should not add salt to food or use it in cooking. However, most salt is hidden in many processed foods and this may not be obvious, for example salt may be hidden in bread, many cereals and ready meals so avoid these high salt foods where possible.

2. Eat more fruit and vegetables

We should all be eating seven to nine portions of fruit or vegetables each day. Fruit and vegetables contain potassium, which has the opposite effect of salt and can help to lower blood pressure. If you can manage to increase the amount of fruit and vegetables and cut down the amount of salt that you eat then you should see your blood pressure fall by quite a large amount.

3. Be more active

Being active can help you to lower your blood pressure. It will also help you to lose weight and reduce the amount of fats (cholesterol) in your blood. If you are not very active now then you do need to take care to begin with and build up gradually. Being active doesn't have to mean jogging, it can mean walking the dog regularly and gradually increasing the amount you do over three to six months. You are aiming to be active for at least 30 minutes, five times a week.

4. Find and reach your ideal weight

Everyone has an ideal weight. Your ideal weight will depend on how tall you are and whether you are male or female. If you are overweight you should try and get down to a weight within the ideal range for you.

Many people find losing weight, and maintaining weight loss, difficult. A healthy diet is an essential first step. Once you are eating a healthy diet cut down the amount of food you eat until you start to lose weight.

5. Drink alcohol in moderate amounts only

This means that if you are a man you should be drinking no more than three to four units each day and if you are a woman you should be drinking no more than two or three units each day. If you are regularly drinking over these amounts then it is likely to affect your blood pressure and you should cut back. However, if you are sticking to moderate amounts then you do not need to cut down but you should avoid binge drinking.

As well as the five factors set out above there are two other key risk factors for stroke and heart disease, smoking and eating too much saturated fat. They don't in themselves cause high blood pressure but they do make you more at risk of heart disease or stroke. However, the combined effect of stopping smoking, cutting down the amount of saturated you eat and lowering your blood pressure causes a very large reduction in your risk of having a stroke or having a heart attack.

Giving up smoking

Smoking is the biggest risk factor for having a heart attack. If you smoke it will not directly affect your blood pressure, but it will cause your arteries to narrow, just as high blood pressure does. So, if you smoke and you have high blood pressure your arteries will narrow much more quickly. There are now lots of ways in which you can make giving up smoking easier for yourself. Nicotine replacement therapy, in the form of patches and gum, for example, and groups to help smokers quit are just a few. If you have difficulties talk to your doctor or nurse.

Cutting down on saturated fat

We all eat too much fat. The type of fat that causes the most problems is saturated fat, for example animal fats and some vegetable oils such as palm and coconut oil. Fat increases the amount of cholesterol in your blood. The higher the level of cholesterol in your blood the greater your risk of heart disease and stroke. If you have high blood pressure reducing you saturated fat intake is very beneficial.

These changes to your lifestyle will reduce your risk of heart disease or stroke, but they may not lower your blood pressure enough. It may be necessary for you to take tablets as well.

Medicines for high blood pressure

If you need tablets, there is very strong evidence that they will reduce your risk of stroke and heart disease, provided your blood pressure is well controlled. Tablets can prolong life and reduce the risk of complications from high blood pressure. In most people lowering blood pressure with tablets causes no problems, in fact many people feel better.

As with any medicines, those for high blood pressure can occasionally cause side effects in some people. Most of these side effects are rare and will only happen in a small number of people. However, it is vitally important that if you feel that any medicine that you are taking is causing you to feel unwell that you go back to your doctor and talk about it. You can change your tablets to find the ones that keep your blood pressure controlled, and leave you feeling well. Most people will need more than one tablet to control their blood pressure and it may take some time to find the combination of tablets that are right for you.

There are now several different kinds of tablets that can be used to treat high blood pressure. They all work in a different way inside the body and some kinds of tablets may suit you better than others. The aim of any tablet, combined with lifestyle changes, is to get your blood pressure to below 140/85mmHg.

Taking tablets for high blood pressure is something that most people will have to do for the rest of their lives and continuing to take them is very important. You may have no symptoms from your high blood pressure, but if it is left untreated you will put yourself at risk from heart disease or stroke. As soon as you stop taking tablets your blood pressure will go back up, as will your risk of heart attack or stroke. Many people find that once they get into a routine with their tablets, they become a part of their daily lives, like cleaning their teeth. It is important that you remember to take them and that you remember to renew your prescription before you run out. If you are worried about any aspect of taking you tablets speak to your doctor or nurse.

The purpose of both the lifestyle changes that you make and the tablets that you take is to control your blood pressure with you feeling completely well, or feeling much better. Once your blood pressure is controlled you should be able to lead your life as you normally would. A small number of people suffer more serious or prolonged side effects from medications and may need to see someone who specialises in managing high blood pressure, who can help them to find the right tablets.

The table at the end of this leaflet explains how these medicines work, what problems may occur with them and how they can affect you. New medicines are being developed all the time, and treatment options may change.

Frequently asked Questions

Can you tell when your blood pressure is high?

Usually the only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to have it measured. Most people cannot tell if their blood pressure is high any other way. Symptoms such as a headache or dizziness are very unusual, which is why it is important for you to have you blood pressure checked regularly. This is why high blood pressure is often known as the silent killer.

Should I measure my blood pressure at home?

Many people do measure their blood pressure at home as it helps them to feel more in control of their condition. There are a number of digital machines available for home use. If you are thinking of buying a machine, buy one that measures blood pressure from the top of your arm rather than at the wrist as, at the moment, these tend to give more accurate readings.

Your blood pressure readings will be lower at home because you are usually more relaxed. Make sure that you keep a record of your readings to pass onto your doctor or nurse.

How does age affect blood pressure?

As you get older your blood pressure is likely to rise. This means that you need to have your blood pressure checked every year so that if it does start to rise you can take steps to lower it, such as changing your lifestyle. It does not matter what age you are, 140/90mmHg is the level for high blood pressure for everyone, whether you are 20 or 80. The old saying that the top number (systolic) of you blood pressure should be 100 plus your age is not true.

Will I need to have any tests or investigations?

As well as having your blood pressure measured several times it may also be necessary for you to have some simple tests done. Your doctor will usually ask about your family and medical history, will often give you a urine and blood test and may also ask you to have a recording of the electrical activity of your heart (ECG). Some people may also have blood pressure monitoring over a 24-hour period. A few people may need more detailed investigations but your doctor will discuss these with you.

How long does it take for lifestyle changes and medications to work?

This largely depends upon the individual. Reducing the amount of salt and increasing the amount of fruit and vegetables that you eat usually takes a few weeks to start having an affect on your blood pressure. Increasing the amount of exercise you do, and losing weight are more likely to take longer. Once you start taking a new medicine your doctor will usually ask you to take it for a month and then check your blood pressure after that. By this time you should see how effective they are. However, not everyone finds the right tablet for them straight away and you may need to try several until you find one that works and that you feel happy taking.

Are there any other medicines that I can't take if I am taking tablets for blood pressure?

Whenever you have other medicines, whether they are from your doctor or from your chemist always tell them that you are taking tablets for your high blood pressure. Some cold and flu medicines and some painkillers (non-steroidal anti-inflammatories like Ibuprofen and voltarol) can interfere with some tablets for high blood pressure.

Does stress cause high blood pressure?

Many people do think that stress can cause high blood pressure, particularly long term stress at work or at home. Stressful situations can cause your blood pressure to go up in the short-term, but it will come back down once that stress has gone. Long-term stress is not thought to cause high blood pressure on its own. However, if as a result of your stress you also have an unhealthy lifestyle, drinking alcohol excessively and being overweight for example, this may have an effect on your blood pressure.

If I have high blood pressure, will my children have it?

High blood pressure does run in families and it is even more important that if you have high blood pressure that you help your children to lead a healthy lifestyle too. If your children follow the same diet that you should be following, take exercise and avoid being overweight they should be able to reduce their own risk of developing high blood pressure too.

How often will I need to see my doctor?

When you first find out that you have high blood pressure you will probably need to see your doctor quite regularly, to get your blood pressure checked. Your doctor will also want to make sure that if you are taking tablets your blood pressure is well controlled and you feel well taking them. Once your blood pressure is well controlled then you will need to go less often. Your practice nurse can check your blood pressure and manage your condition and it may only be necessary for you to see your doctor every six months or every year, particularly if you check your own blood pressure at home. Everyone is different. Discuss your visits with your practice nurse and/or your doctor.

Key points

· High blood pressure is very common in the United Kingdom. Many people with high blood pressure don't know that they have it until it's too late
· High blood pressure that is not treated can lead to a heart attack, heart failure, stroke and kidney disease
· High blood pressure can rarely be cured but it can be treated very effectively
· Taking medicines and making changes to your lifestyle, such as reducing salt, eating fruit and vegetables and watching your weight can help to bring your blood pressure down and keep it down
· If you need to take tablets to treat your blood pressure will almost certainly have to take them for life. However, they should not make you feel unwell or interfere in any way with your day-to-day activitiesOnce your blood pressure is controlled you should feel and think of yourself as completely well

High blood pressure or white coat hypertension?

2005-11-09T05:49:00.000-08:00

What is white coat hypertension?

Hypertension is the medical term for high blood pressure, and ‘white coat’ refers to a doctor’s white coat, and therefore a clinical or medical environment. Simply put, white coat hypertension means having a high reading only when your blood pressure is measured away from your normal home environment, usually in a clinic or surgery.

Most people with consistently high readings (140/90mmHg or above) do have high blood pressure but there are a few who will have white coat hypertension. People with white coat hypertension have high readings (140/90mmHg or above) only when they have their blood pressure measured at their doctors surgery or in a clinic, and have normal blood pressure readings outside a clinic environment. A small number of people may have white coat hypertension that goes unrecognised which could mean being wrongly diagnosed as having high blood pressure and receiving unnecessary treatment.

What causes white coat hypertension?

Blood pressure goes up and down throughout the day and night in everyone, which is normal. For example, when you are excited or in pain, when you have just exercised or when you are angry your blood pressure rises; when you are asleep or resting then your blood pressure falls.

White coat hypertension and the white coat effect are caused by anxiety, when your body stimulates your ‘fight or flight’ response. Many people are aware that they feel nervous or anxious, but many others may think that they are relaxed when, in fact, they are not. It can affect anyone, young or old, male or female and some people find that anxiety can raise their blood pressure by as much as 30mmHg on the systolic (top) number. Being relaxed, in a quiet environment and being given reassurance can help to reduce this effect.

How do I know if I have white coat hypertension?

There are no symptoms of white coat hypertension, you won’t feel unwell if you have it. The only way to find out if you are affected is to have your blood pressure measured outside your doctor’s surgery or clinic. There are two ways of doing this- Taking readings yourself at home and or Ambulatory Blood Pressure Measurement (ABPM) - sometimes also called 24-hour monitoring

A few people will be asked to have ABPM, which is a test to see what your blood pressure is like over a period of 24-hours. A small portable monitor takes readings regularly and automatically over a day and a night. Your doctor can then look at an average of the daytime readings and this should show whether you have a normal blood pressure at home. If the average reading is 135/85mmHg or less then it is normal. Some doctor’s surgeries now have ABPM equipment or alternatively you may need to go to your local hospital outpatients department to have the machine fitted. .

You may also be asked to use an automatic or a semi-automatic blood pressure machine to take a series of readings yourself at home. Some doctors and clinics will lend you a monitor, usually for two weeks, and ask you to take readings at certain times of the day. After you have taken these readings your doctor or nurse will analyse them and work out an average. You can also buy a blood pressure monitor to use at home, to monitor your blood pressure levels.

Will I need to be treated if I have white coat hypertension?

Doctors believe that if you have white coat hypertension you are at less risk of heart disease or stroke than someone who has sustained high blood pressure, but at a greater risk than someone who has normal blood pressure at all times. For this reason it is important to make sure that you have your blood pressure checked regularly – at least once a year. This is to make sure that if your blood pressure does start to rise, you can take steps to lower it as soon as possible.

Many people with white coat hypertension go on to develop high blood pressure in the future. For this reason, particularly if you have other risk factors like smoking, or high cholesterol, your doctor may advise you to start treatment.

You can help to prevent a rise in blood pressure by following a healthy lifestyle. This means eating a diet low in fat and salt and high in fruit and vegetables, being active and the right weight for your height and not drinking alcohol excessively. You can also buy a blood pressure monitor to use at home, to monitor your blood pressure levels. See the information sheet ‘Measuring your blood pressure at home’.

I have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, could it be white coat hypertension?

A small number of people that are diagnosed with high blood pressure may have white coat hypertension. If you have ‘mildly’ raised blood pressure, ie, up to 160/99mmHg, then white coat hypertension could account for this level of blood pressure. Above 160/99mmHg it is likely that even if you took into account a rise in blood pressure because of anxiety, it would still be high. For example, if you had a systolic reading of 180mmHg in the surgery and took into account a possible white coat effect of 30mmHg then it means your systolic reading would be 150mmHg, which is still a high reading.

If your high blood pressure has been diagnosed from a small number of readings (unless the blood pressure is very high) then it is possible that white coat hypertension could be a factor. A diagnosis of high blood pressure should be made after a series of readings, over a period of time, to take into account the possibility of white coat hypertension.

Finding out whether you may have white coat hypertension is important as it can make the difference between being treated, or not, and can affect other aspects of your life such as insurance and work. If you are concerned, talk to your doctor or nurse.

Why is high blood pressure important?

2005-09-30T09:40:00.000-07:00

High blood pressure is a risk factor for heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and dementia. This means that if you have high blood pressure you are at greater risk of developing these conditions than someone who does not have high blood pressure.Having high blood pressure causes strain on the vessels carrying blood around your body. This strain can cause vessels to become clogged up or to weaken and this in turn can lead to narrow blood vessels and clots, which can cause damage to the heart or brain. More rarely it can lead to the blood vessels bursting. Having high blood pressure can also cause heart failure. Heart failure is when your heart can not pump blood around the body as well as it should and this can cause you to become short of breath and can cause your ankles to swell.

Blood pressure monitors - accurate machines available to the public to use at home from
Medisave an excellent online UK distributor of a wide range of medical equipment to both medical professionals and home users.

High blood pressure can cause kidney failure, some eye conditions, and there is some research that shows that by lowering blood pressure you may be able to prevent some types of dementia. So, there are many very good reasons for controlling your blood pressure both and now and in the future.High blood pressure is a serious condition, and one that you should not ignore. However, the really good news is that it can be lowered either by changing your lifestyle or if necessary adding in tablets. The lower you can get your blood pressure the lower your risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and dementia.

Best blood pressure monitors BHS recommended

2005-09-23T09:47:00.000-07:00

Blood pressure monitors - accurate machines available to the public to use at home from
Medisave an excellent online UK distributor of a wide range of medical equipment to both medical professionals and home users.

Blood Pressure - information

2005-09-17T07:25:00.000-07:00

Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is the pressure of blood in your arteries. The higher your blood pressure the greater your risk of developing narrowed arteries, which can lead to heart problems and strokes. The good news is that if your blood pressure is high, it can be lowered by making changes to your lifestyle, for example changing your diet, exercising and losing weight, and when needed, with tablets. This will reduce your risk of developing heart and brain problems that might otherwise occur if your blood pressure is not treated. However, in many people, blood pressure is not checked or measured and in some people who have high blood pressure it may not treated adequately.

This information is designed to give you more information about your blood pressure. This will help you to understand more about your treatments and to help you to play a greater role in keeping your blood pressure controlled.

Blood pressure monitors - accurate machines available to the public to use at home from
Medisave an excellent online UK distributor of a wide range of medical equipment to both medical professionals and home users.

What is blood pressure?

Your heart pumps blood around your body through a network of tubing called arteries. Every time your heart pumps it forces blood through these arteries and into smaller blood vessels called capillaries. The force that your heart produces in your arteries when it pumps is called your blood pressure. When the heart contracts and forces blood through the arteries your blood pressure goes up, when the heart relaxes it goes down.

This pressure can be measured and is usually written down like this:

140/90mmHg

The top number, which is called the systolic pressure, shows the pressure in your arteries when your heart is forcing blood through them. The bottom number, called the diastolic pressure, shows the pressure in your arteries when your heart relaxes. The top number can be anywhere from 90 to 240 and the bottom number can be anywhere from 60 to 140. Blood pressure is measured in millimetres of mercury, which is written down as: mmHg

Everyone has a different blood pressure and it can change in the same person during the day and night.

What is high blood pressure?

High blood pressure can also be called hypertension; both words mean the same thing. The higher your blood pressure, what ever it is, the higher your risk of heart disease or stroke.

140/90mmHg is the level of blood pressure used to diagnose high blood pressure. If your blood pressure is consistently raised at these levels and above, it will need to be treated. Treatment may involve making changes to your lifestyle and/or taking medication. This level of 140/90mmHg is the level for high blood pressure for everyone, whether you are male or female, young or old.

High blood pressure can be a systolic reading of 140 or above, a diastolic reading of 90 or above, or both. For example, a reading of 150/85mmHg is high because the systolic is above 140; a reading of 139/95mmHg is high because the diastolic is above 90. A reading of 150/95mmHg is also high as both the systolic and the diastolic number are raised. As you get older you may find that your diastolic level is normal but your systolic level starts to rise and this is called isolated systolic hypertension. This is common among older people, and still needs to be treated.

140/85mmHg is the target blood pressure for people who are receiving treatment for their high blood pressure. The only exception to this target level is if you have diabetes, kidney disease or have already suffered a stroke or heart attack. Then it may be worthwhile lowering your blood pressure even further.

Why is high blood pressure important?

High blood pressure is a risk factor for heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and dementia. This means that if you have high blood pressure you are at greater risk of developing these conditions than someone who does not have high blood pressure.

Having high blood pressure causes strain on the vessels carrying blood around your body. This strain can cause vessels to become clogged up or to weaken and this in turn can lead to narrow blood vessels and clots, which can cause damage to the heart or brain. More rarely it can lead to the blood vessels bursting. Having high blood pressure can also cause heart failure. Heart failure is when your heart can not pump blood around the body as well as it should and this can cause you to become short of breath and can cause your ankles to swell. High blood pressure can cause kidney failure, some eye conditions, and there is some research that shows that by lowering blood pressure you may be able to prevent some types of dementia. So, there are many very good reasons for controlling your blood pressure both and now and in the future.

High blood pressure is a serious condition, and one that you should not ignore. However, the really good news is that it can be lowered either by changing your lifestyle or if necessary adding in tablets. The lower you can get your blood pressure the lower your risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and dementia.

How common is high blood pressure?

In the United Kingdom there are about 16 million people with a blood pressure higher than 140/90mmHg. One in every three women and two in every five men now have high blood pressure, with larger numbers affected in older age groups. For example, about half of all people over the age of 75 have the condition. Although you may be said to have high blood pressure, or a normal blood pressure, it is important to realise that the higher your blood pressure, whatever it is, the higher your risk of heart disease or stroke. This means that all of us should be adopting a lifestyle that will help to lower our blood pressure whether we have high blood pressure or not.

How is blood pressure measured?

Your blood pressure can be measured either by using a device called a sphygmomanometer or by using a digital machine.

A sphygmomanometer is the older kind of equipment that measures blood pressure using a column of mercury. The person taking your blood pressure will put a cuff around the top of your arm, pump up this cuff and then listen for sounds through a stethoscope placed on your arm. The sounds heard through the stethoscope will start, and then finish, at certain points on the mercury column, and this will give the reading for your blood pressure. There are also automatic, or partly automatic, digital machines that can measure blood pressure. They also use a cuff around your arm and will give a readout of your blood pressure.

In order to be sure that you have high blood pressure, you will be asked to have readings taken several times. This is to make sure that you have consistently high blood pressure, rather than high blood pressure because you are nervous at the doctors or have rushed to get to your appointment.

What causes high blood pressure?

A small number of people have what is called secondary hypertension, which means that there is an underlying cause of their high blood pressure. For example, some people develop high blood pressure if they have problems with their kidneys or the adrenal glands, which sit above the kidneys. These glands produce hormones that are important in controlling blood pressure.

However, for most people there is no definite cause for their high blood pressure and doctors call this essential hypertension. The small blood vessels in the body narrow and this causes the pressure to build up, a bit like squeezing a garden hose.

High blood pressure can run in the family, and if you have a parent with high blood pressure then you are more likely to have high blood pressure yourself.

If you are black then you are more likely to have high blood pressure than the rest of the population in the United Kingdom; you may be more sensitive to salt in your diet and more likely to have a stroke. If you are South Asian then you are more likely to have diabetes or a heart attack which means that it is important for you to keep your blood pressure and cholesterol well controlled. The reasons for this are not fully understood.

Some other conditions are also linked to high blood pressure, such as diabetes, kidney disease and heart disease. If you have any of these conditions then it is even more important that your blood pressure is well controlled.

Your blood pressure is very much affected by your lifestyle. The important factors are:

· Eating too much salt
· Not eating enough fruit and vegetables
· Not exercising enough
· Being overweight
· Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol

Whereas you cannot change your genes, or the fact that you will grow older, you can change your lifestyle. Changing your diet and exercising more will lower your blood pressure. This is something that everyone should do but is particularly important if you have high blood pressure as it may avoid the need for tablets.

Can high blood pressure be treated?

High blood pressure is not usually something that you can cure, but it can be treated. Lowering blood pressure causes a large reduction in strokes, heart attacks, heart failure and kidney disease that would otherwise have occurred and may reduce your risk of developing some kinds of dementia.

How will my high blood pressure be treated?

How your high blood pressure is treated will depend on how high it is and on what other ‘risk factors’ you have for heart disease and stroke.

If your blood pressure is between 140-160/90-100mmHg then you will probably be asked to make some changes to your lifestyle. You will probably not need to take tablets providing that the changes you make work. In this way you can lower your own blood pressure without needing to take tablets. However, some people with a blood pressure in this range may be prescribed medication to take. This is usually if they are older or have other risk factors for heart disease and stroke, such as high cholesterol, smoking or already have complications such as a previous stroke or heart attack.
So if you have a blood pressure reading in this range you should:

· Cut down the amount of salt you are eating
· Eat at least seven to nine portions of fruit and vegetables every day
· Take more exercise
· Lose weight if you are over weight
· Cut down on the amount of alcohol you are drinking, if it is excessive

If your blood pressure is consistently over 160/100mmHg then you will probably be given tablets to take as well as being asked to make changes to your lifestyle. You are aiming to reach a target blood pressure of 140/85mmHg or less whilst making sure that you feel fit and well. There will, however, be a small number of people who may find their blood pressure very difficult to control even with medication.

Changing your lifestyle.

All people who have high blood pressure should make changes to their lifestyle. These changes can be enough to lower your blood pressure to a level where you may not need to take tablets. Even if you need tablets, the changes to your lifestyle will make the tablets more effective.

These changes to your lifestyle should be adopted by the whole family, as, increasing evidence suggests that this will lower blood pressure and prevent high blood pressure from occurring later in life. A healthy diet will also make you feel much better.

These are the five main changes you can make:

1. Cut down on your salt

We each eat about 10 grams of salt (sodium chloride) each day and this can easily be reduced by half to 5 grams each day. That means cutting down from a dessert spoon of salt every day to a teaspoon. You should not add salt to food or use it in cooking. However, most salt is hidden in many processed foods and this may not be obvious, for example salt may be hidden in bread, many cereals and ready meals so avoid these high salt foods where possible.

2. Eat more fruit and vegetables

We should all be eating seven to nine portions of fruit or vegetables each day. Fruit and vegetables contain potassium, which has the opposite effect of salt and can help to lower blood pressure. If you can manage to increase the amount of fruit and vegetables and cut down the amount of salt that you eat then you should see your blood pressure fall by quite a large amount.

3. Be more active

Being active can help you to lower your blood pressure. It will also help you to lose weight and reduce the amount of fats (cholesterol) in your blood. If you are not very active now then you do need to take care to begin with and build up gradually. Being active doesn't have to mean jogging, it can mean walking the dog regularly and gradually increasing the amount you do over three to six months. You are aiming to be active for at least 30 minutes, five times a week.

4. Find and reach your ideal weight

Everyone has an ideal weight. Your ideal weight will depend on how tall you are and whether you are male or female. If you are overweight you should try and get down to a weight within the ideal range for you.

Many people find losing weight, and maintaining weight loss, difficult. A healthy diet is an essential first step. Once you are eating a healthy diet cut down the amount of food you eat until you start to lose weight.

5. Drink alcohol in moderate amounts only

This means that if you are a man you should be drinking no more than three to four units each day and if you are a woman you should be drinking no more than two or three units each day. If you are regularly drinking over these amounts then it is likely to affect your blood pressure and you should cut back. However, if you are sticking to moderate amounts then you do not need to cut down but you should avoid binge drinking.

As well as the five factors set out above there are two other key risk factors for stroke and heart disease, smoking and eating too much saturated fat. They don't in themselves cause high blood pressure but they do make you more at risk of heart disease or stroke. However, the combined effect of stopping smoking, cutting down the amount of saturated you eat and lowering your blood pressure causes a very large reduction in your risk of having a stroke or having a heart attack.

Giving up smoking

Smoking is the biggest risk factor for having a heart attack. If you smoke it will not directly affect your blood pressure, but it will cause your arteries to narrow, just as high blood pressure does. So, if you smoke and you have high blood pressure your arteries will narrow much more quickly. There are now lots of ways in which you can make giving up smoking easier for yourself. Nicotine replacement therapy, in the form of patches and gum, for example, and groups to help smokers quit are just a few. If you have difficulties talk to your doctor or nurse.

Cutting down on saturated fat

We all eat too much fat. The type of fat that causes the most problems is saturated fat, for example animal fats and some vegetable oils such as palm and coconut oil. Fat increases the amount of cholesterol in your blood. The higher the level of cholesterol in your blood the greater your risk of heart disease and stroke. If you have high blood pressure reducing you saturated fat intake is very beneficial.

These changes to your lifestyle will reduce your risk of heart disease or stroke, but they may not lower your blood pressure enough. It may be necessary for you to take tablets as well.

Medicines for high blood pressure

If you need tablets, there is very strong evidence that they will reduce your risk of stroke and heart disease, provided your blood pressure is well controlled. Tablets can prolong life and reduce the risk of complications from high blood pressure. In most people lowering blood pressure with tablets causes no problems, in fact many people feel better.

As with any medicines, those for high blood pressure can occasionally cause side effects in some people. Most of these side effects are rare and will only happen in a small number of people. However, it is vitally important that if you feel that any medicine that you are taking is causing you to feel unwell that you go back to your doctor and talk about it. You can change your tablets to find the ones that keep your blood pressure controlled, and leave you feeling well. Most people will need more than one tablet to control their blood pressure and it may take some time to find the combination of tablets that are right for you.

There are now several different kinds of tablets that can be used to treat high blood pressure. They all work in a different way inside the body and some kinds of tablets may suit you better than others. The aim of any tablet, combined with lifestyle changes, is to get your blood pressure to below 140/85mmHg.

Taking tablets for high blood pressure is something that most people will have to do for the rest of their lives and continuing to take them is very important. You may have no symptoms from your high blood pressure, but if it is left untreated you will put yourself at risk from heart disease or stroke. As soon as you stop taking tablets your blood pressure will go back up, as will your risk of heart attack or stroke. Many people find that once they get into a routine with their tablets, they become a part of their daily lives, like cleaning their teeth. It is important that you remember to take them and that you remember to renew your prescription before you run out. If you are worried about any aspect of taking you tablets speak to your doctor or nurse.

The purpose of both the lifestyle changes that you make and the tablets that you take is to control your blood pressure with you feeling completely well, or feeling much better. Once your blood pressure is controlled you should be able to lead your life as you normally would. A small number of people suffer more serious or prolonged side effects from medications and may need to see someone who specialises in managing high blood pressure, who can help them to find the right tablets.

The table at the end of this leaflet explains how these medicines work, what problems may occur with them and how they can affect you. New medicines are being developed all the time, and treatment options may change.

Frequently asked Questions

Can you tell when your blood pressure is high?

Usually the only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to have it measured. Most people cannot tell if their blood pressure is high any other way. Symptoms such as a headache or dizziness are very unusual, which is why it is important for you to have you blood pressure checked regularly. This is why high blood pressure is often known as the silent killer.

Should I measure my blood pressure at home?

Many people do measure their blood pressure at home as it helps them to feel more in control of their condition. There are a number of digital machines available for home use. If you are thinking of buying a machine, buy one that measures blood pressure from the top of your arm rather than at the wrist as, at the moment, these tend to give more accurate readings.

Your blood pressure readings will be lower at home because you are usually more relaxed. Make sure that you keep a record of your readings to pass onto your doctor or nurse.

How does age affect blood pressure?

As you get older your blood pressure is likely to rise. This means that you need to have your blood pressure checked every year so that if it does start to rise you can take steps to lower it, such as changing your lifestyle. It does not matter what age you are, 140/90mmHg is the level for high blood pressure for everyone, whether you are 20 or 80. The old saying that the top number (systolic) of you blood pressure should be 100 plus your age is not true.

Will I need to have any tests or investigations?

As well as having your blood pressure measured several times it may also be necessary for you to have some simple tests done. Your doctor will usually ask about your family and medical history, will often give you a urine and blood test and may also ask you to have a recording of the electrical activity of your heart (ECG). Some people may also have blood pressure monitoring over a 24-hour period. A few people may need more detailed investigations but your doctor will discuss these with you.

How long does it take for lifestyle changes and medications to work?

This largely depends upon the individual. Reducing the amount of salt and increasing the amount of fruit and vegetables that you eat usually takes a few weeks to start having an affect on your blood pressure. Increasing the amount of exercise you do, and losing weight are more likely to take longer. Once you start taking a new medicine your doctor will usually ask you to take it for a month and then check your blood pressure after that. By this time you should see how effective they are. However, not everyone finds the right tablet for them straight away and you may need to try several until you find one that works and that you feel happy taking.

Are there any other medicines that I can't take if I am taking tablets for blood pressure?

Whenever you have other medicines, whether they are from your doctor or from your chemist always tell them that you are taking tablets for your high blood pressure. Some cold and flu medicines and some painkillers (non-steroidal anti-inflammatories like Ibuprofen and voltarol) can interfere with some tablets for high blood pressure.

Does stress cause high blood pressure?

Many people do think that stress can cause high blood pressure, particularly long term stress at work or at home. Stressful situations can cause your blood pressure to go up in the short-term, but it will come back down once that stress has gone. Long-term stress is not thought to cause high blood pressure on its own. However, if as a result of your stress you also have an unhealthy lifestyle, drinking alcohol excessively and being overweight for example, this may have an effect on your blood pressure.

If I have high blood pressure, will my children have it?

High blood pressure does run in families and it is even more important that if you have high blood pressure that you help your children to lead a healthy lifestyle too. If your children follow the same diet that you should be following, take exercise and avoid being overweight they should be able to reduce their own risk of developing high blood pressure too.

How often will I need to see my doctor?

When you first find out that you have high blood pressure you will probably need to see your doctor quite regularly, to get your blood pressure checked. Your doctor will also want to make sure that if you are taking tablets your blood pressure is well controlled and you feel well taking them. Once your blood pressure is well controlled then you will need to go less often. Your practice nurse can check your blood pressure and manage your condition and it may only be necessary for you to see your doctor every six months or every year, particularly if you check your own blood pressure at home. Everyone is different. Discuss your visits with your practice nurse and/or your doctor.

Key points

· High blood pressure is very common in the United Kingdom. Many people with high blood pressure don't know that they have it until it's too late
· High blood pressure that is not treated can lead to a heart attack, heart failure, stroke and kidney disease
· High blood pressure can rarely be cured but it can be treated very effectively
· Taking medicines and making changes to your lifestyle, such as reducing salt, eating fruit and vegetables and watching your weight can help to bring your blood pressure down and keep it down
· If you need to take tablets to treat your blood pressure will almost certainly have to take them for life. However, they should not make you feel unwell or interfere in any way with your day-to-day activitiesOnce your blood pressure is controlled you should feel and think of yourself as completely well

Blood pressure monitors - accurate machines available to the public to use at home

2005-09-17T05:06:00.000-07:00