Why should I have my blood pressure checked?

Why should I have my blood pressure checked? People can have high blood pressure and not know as they can feel well with even very high blood pressure.

So why does high blood pressure matter ? It works on your blood vessels and makes them stiff and hard and this can damage blood supply to essential parts of your body even if you do not feel anything is wrong.

What damage does it cause? It can lead to heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and affect your eyes. The earlier it is picked up the better for you, so that you can work on slowing down any damage happening.

Can I have high blood pressure if I am young? Although it is more likely to be raised in middle aged and older people, it can be found in young people too so it’s a good idea to get it checked to be on the safe side! Healthy lifestyle can go a long way to preventing high blood pressure developing.

What can I do if my blood pressure is high? You can do a lot to help yourself such as eating a healthy diet, exercising such as walking more, working on stopping smoking, cutting down on alcohol and keeping your weight at a healthy level. Even small changes can make a difference!

Will I need tablets? You may need tablets to get it down to a safe level, so it is really important to have regular checks at your GP Practice to help keep you safe and well.

What about my family? If you make healthy changes to your lifestyle, the rest of your family will benefit too, especially your children as it will help them develop good habits for the future and lower their risk of developing high blood pressure as they grow up.

Published on 9 September 2024