The blood pressure test is relatively short and painless, but it is a total lifesaver. World hypertension day was marked on the 17th of May, and the topic for discussion was blood pressure.
Are you contemplating getting a blood pressure test from a private GP? Here, our nurse in practice tells about all you need to know about hypertension, how you can take the test, and why it is important for everyone. This blood pressure test can save you from the deadly silent disease.
Finding the root of the problem
The blood pressure test is used to evaluate the inner part of your arteries when your heart is pumping blood. Several factors influence this test, including your activity level, temperature, diet, emotional state, current medication, etc.
However, when taking this test, you must rest so that the accurate blood pressure will fall within a specified range. This will help your medical practitioner know the range you fall in and signify a health issue.
Taking the test
The blood pressure test can be completed in just a few minutes to complete. You can take this test if you have the blood pressure monitor in your house, or you can go to your doctor to be on the safer side.
We will ask you some questions about general health, medical history, and lifestyle during this appointment with the doctor. Don’t worry; we provide a very conducive and relaxing environment to help you tell the truth about your health before beginning the test.
For the test, we will help you see it comfortably and rest one of your arms on a table. After this, we will wrap a fabric cuff around the upper part of your arm and inflate this cuff with a bit of handheld pump. After this cuff has been raised to the maximum, it will slowly deflate.
The monitor will take your blood pressure readings and display them on a screen as it is deflating. We only need a minute to complete the blood pressure test, and you will get your results immediately. After this, you will have the remaining time of your appointment to ask questions. Based on your results, you will be offered a thorough guide on the next steps and other actions required.
The ideal blood pressure
Generally, healthy blood pressure reading should range around 120 / 80 mmHg. Any result that goes higher or lower needs evaluation.
If you have a result of 140 / 90, or something higher, it may signify high blood pressure, also called hypertension. People who have results of 90 / 60 or lower may be having a problem called low blood pressure, also called hypotension.
Increasing blood pressure
About one out of three adults are affected with high blood pressure in the UK. This makes them at a higher risk of stroke, heart problems, kidney disease, and potential problems with other vital organs.
Some groups of people are at higher risk than others. These people include:
- Those that are 60 years old or higher
- People with a family history of heart disease or high blood pressure
- Overweight people
- Those that don’t exercise regularly
- People will have a diet with a high amount of salt
- Those who take diets low in vegetables and fruits
- People with a regular intake of alcohol of more than two to three units of alcohol daily for women or more than three to four units daily for men
Besides this, every adult is at a high risk of developing high blood pressure. Because of this, they must take recommended steps to reduce their risk when possible.
How to reduce your risk of hypertension
- Maintain a healthy weight
Obese or generally overweight people are at a higher risk of high blood pressure. To know if you have a healthy weight, your doctor will consider your body mass index. You can also calculate this body mass index (BMI) by using some online calculators.
Doctors also use this BMI to evaluate the amount of fat you have in your body.
Discuss with your medical team the best way to lose weight, including exercising, dieting, and others.
- Eat healthy foods
Healthy foods should contain an adequate amount of fruits and vegetables. Find out how you can improve your daily intake of magnesium, fibre, and proteins from your health team. You must also reduce your salt consumption.
- Increase your physical activity
As an adult, you should have at least two hours 30 minutes of intensive exercise for five days each week. This includes brisk walking and bicycling, etc. Children and adolescents only require one of these.
- Avoid smoking
Smokers have an increased risk of heart disease, lung cancer, and high blood pressure. If you smoke, consider quitting as it can reduce your risk of high blood pressure, as well as other severe diseases.
- Minimise alcohol consumption
Whether as a man or woman, drinking a lot of alcohol influences your blood pressure. As a man, you should not take more than two alcoholic drinks daily. Women should not take more than one alcoholic drink a day; anything more than this increases your risk of high blood pressure.
- Get quality rest
High blood pressure is asymptomatic, and the people who suffer from it do not know until they visit the clinic. This is why people typically refer to hypertension as a silent killer. So comma, the only way to diagnose the problem is through a blood pressure test.
People with a higher risk of blood pressure should undergo the test every year. However, those 40 years old or older should have a blood pressure test at least once in five years.
Visit here to learn more about this blood test. Also, you can book an appointment online or call on 02071832792.
