Two out of three people who have hypertension are unaware that they have the condition.

If it is left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to strokes, heart attacks and a shortened life expectancy. And yet there are really good medications that can easily treat this.

If you have any concerns about your blood pressure, come into Peermed for a simple test.

When your blood pressure is taken, there are two parts to the reading: the systolic pressure which occurs when your heart beats, and the diastolic pressure which occurs between heart beats.

So, when your doctor gives you your blood pressure reading, it will be described as one figure over another, for example 145/95 (SBP/DBP).

A guide to blood pressure readings

Set out below are different levels of blood pressure as defined by the Heart Foundation of South Africa:

 

Normal	120/80 to 129/84
High Normal	130/85 to 139/89
Hypertension Mild	140/90 to 159/99
Moderate	160/100 to 179/109
Severe	+ 180/110

There are several simple lifestyle adjustments that will lower your blood pressure and make you feel better all round:

• Lose weight, especially if you have belly fat. Even a few kilograms will help!
• Watch your alcohol intake – an added benefit of this is that you will lose weight faster.
• Limit your salt intake
• It sounds boring, but you really should be eating more fruit and vegetables! Cut fat off your meat before you eat it, and try not to eat too much refined sugar – fizzy drinks are full of sugars!
• If you don’t exercise, start now. Begin with gentle exercise a few times a week, such as a walk around the block. Remember: if you haven’t exercised for a while, speak to your Peermed doctor first.
• The aging process can result in hypertension.
• Some medication can increase blood pressure.

If there is a history of high blood pressure in your family it is even more important that you get tested on a regular basis.

As hypertension can be present with no obvious symptoms, some patients decide on their own accord to stop taking their medication.

If you are prescribed medication never stop taking them and never alter the amount you take. These are decisions that must be made by your General Practitioner

A diet high in salt increases your chances of having high blood pressure. Look out for the word sodium on food labels; taste food before just adding salt; learn to cook imaginatively by adding spices and herbs to your food!