High blood pressure

• Most people with high blood pressure don’t have any symptoms.
• Lifestyle factors such as smoking, obesity and drinking alcohol excessively can contribute to developing high blood pressure.
• Having high blood pressure increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, such as stroke and heart attack.

 It's normal for your blood pressure to temporarily increase when you exert yourself, or when you feel anxious or stressed. But if your blood pressure is consistently higher than the healthy level, this is called high blood pressure. Blood carries oxygen and nutrients around the body and is pumped by the heart. If the walls of the arteries lose their elasticity, become narrow, you can develop high blood pressure. If you have very high blood pressure, or your blood pressure rises quickly, you may have headaches, problems with your vision. Your GP may diagnose you with high blood pressure when he or she measures it as part of a medical examination. Your GP may ask you to come back for repeat measurements over a number of weeks before suggesting you a treatment.

Your GP will talk to you about lifestyle changes that might help, such as:

• stopping smoking
• changing your diet
• cutting down on alcohol
• cutting down on coffee and high-caffeine drinks, such as cola
• taking regular exercise
• losing any excess weight.

It may also help, where possible, to reduce stress in your life.

(Source: http://www.bupa.co.uk/individuals/health-information/directory/h/hypertension)