Heart Health

All You Need To Know About High And Low Blood Pressure

What Is Blood Pressure?

The force of the body's blood pressing on the inside walls of blood vessels, particularly the arteries, is called Blood Pressure. The heart pumps blood into the arteries each time it beats. Throughout the day, your blood pressure fluctuates. When you are asleep, it is at its lowest, and it increases when you wake up and start moving. Additionally, it may increase when you are ecstatic, anxious, or physically active.

How To Measure The Blood Pressure?

Systolic blood pressure, the maximum pressure in the arteries while the heart beats, and diastolic blood pressure, the lowest pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest, are the two figures used to measure blood pressure. Both quantities are expressed in "mmHg" units, which are “millimeters of mercury." These values are typically expressed vocally as "120 over 80" and written together in the form "120/80mmHg," implying a systolic pressure of 120 and a diastolic pressure of 80. The range of 90/60 mmHg to 120/80 mmHg is ideal; however, depending on your age and state of health, your doctor may give you a different personalized blood pressure target.

Learn how to check your blood pressure.

High Blood Pressure Or Hypertension

High blood pressure is frequently linked to unhealthy lifestyle choices like smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, being overweight, and insufficient exercise. 

High blood pressure, particularly coronary heart disease, can raise your chance of developing several significant long-term health disorders if it is not managed. Additionally, you run the danger of hurting your kidney or ocular blood vessels.

Symptoms Of High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure often has no symptoms or warning indications, and many people are unaware they have it. The only method to determine whether you have high blood pressure is to measure it.

What Causes High Blood Pressure?

Although the specific causes of high blood pressure are unknown, several factors, such as:

• Smoking

• Being obese or overweight

• Lack of exercise

• Too much salt in the diet

• Drinking too much alcohol, coffee, or caffeine-based drinks

• Genetics 

• Family history of high blood pressure

• long-term kidney disease 

• thyroid and adrenal issues

How Is High Blood Pressure Treated? 

Adapting your way of life can help you manage and control high blood pressure. Your doctor might advise you to adopt new lifestyle practices like:

• Consuming a salt-free, heart-healthy diet 

• Performing regular exercise 

• Keeping a healthy weight or reducing it 

• Limit Alcohol

• Stop Smoking

• Sleeping 7 to 9 hours every day

Additionally, there are medications that your doctor may give to assist in managing your blood pressure. Many patients will require a mix of numerous medications. Different medications may be recommended for you depending on your age and ethnicity. 

You'll typically be given an ACE inhibitor or an angiotensin-2 receptor blocker (ARB) if you're under 55. 

You will commonly be provided a medication known as a calcium channel blocker if you are 55 years of age or older and are of African or Caribbean descent.

It's crucial to take all prescribed medications exactly as your doctor suggests. You probably won't notice any difference when taking high blood pressure medication, but that doesn't imply it isn't working or that you don't need to take it every day. It reduces the likelihood of a future health decline.

Low Blood Pressure Or Hypotension

It is considered low if the reading is less than 90/60 mm Hg. Some people consistently have low blood pressure, which is normal for them. Other people have low blood pressure that may be related to a health issue or have a rapid decline in blood pressure.

Symptoms Of Low Blood Pressure?

If you continue to experience any of the following symptoms:

• Dizziness or lightheadedness 

• Feeling sick

• Blurred vision

• Generally feeling weak

• Confusion

• Fainting

If these symptoms worsen when you get up or move positions, you may have "postural hypertension," which occurs when your body fails to raise your blood pressure sufficiently when you stand up.

How Is Low Blood Pressure Treated? 

For low blood pressure, you might not require treatment. Treatment options could include increasing your fluid intake to avoid dehydration, taking medications to raise your blood pressure, or changing medications that lower blood pressure, depending on your symptoms. 

Your doctor might discuss modifying your eating habits, sitting and standing habits, and other aspects of your lifestyle with you. If you stand for extended periods, your doctor might suggest compression stockings.

Getting Your High Blood Pressure Medication from Spire Pharmacy

Spire Pharmacy can assist if you are receiving treatment for high blood pressure. By bringing the medication you require to your door, our team of UK-based pharmacists can assist you in reducing the number of unnecessary visits to the GP or pharmacist. With our easy service, you can place orders from anywhere, and signing up is very simple.