Can high blood pressure be treated?

This is the good news. High blood pressure is not usually something that you can cure, but it can be treated. There is very good evidence from many studies that lowering blood pressure does cause a large reduction in strokes, heart attacks, heart failure and kidney disease, that would otherwise have occurred.

Who will be treating my high blood pressure?

Most people in the UK with high blood pressure are treated at their GP practice either by the doctor or the practice nurse. Many surgeries now have specific clinics for people with high blood pressure which are often run by nurses. In the future many pharmacists may also be involved in monitoring and managing high blood pressure.

A few people may need to see someone more specialised in treating blood pressure. If you are having a lot of difficulty controlling your blood pressure, have a very severe high blood pressure or are having a lot of difficulty with side effects from medications then you may be referred to a specialist.
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Will I need to have any investigations?

As well as having your blood pressure measured several times it may also be necessary for you to have some simple tests done. Your doctor will usually ask you about you family and medical history, will often give you a urine and blood test and may also ask you to have a recording of the electrical activity of your heart (ECG). Some people may also have blood pressure monitoring over a 24-hour period.

These tests will help you doctor to:
* Establish your level of blood pressure
* See whether having high blood pressure has affected your body
* See whether there is an underlying cause for your high blood pressure
* Check whether there are any other factors which may affect your treatment
A few people may need more detailed investigations but your doctor will discuss these with you.

For more information on investigations click here to go to an article from Positive Pressure

How will my high blood pressure be treated?

How your high blood pressure is treated will depend on how high it is and on what other 'risk factors' you have for heart disease and stroke.

If your blood pressure is between 140/90-160/100mmHg then you will probably be asked to make some changes to your lifestyle. You will probably not need to take tablets providing that the changes you make work. However, some people with a blood pressure in this range may be asked to take tablets if they are older or have other risk factors for heart disease and stroke, such as high cholesterol, smoking or already have complications such as a previous stroke or heart attack.

So, if you have a blood pressure reading in this range you may need to make the following changes to your lifestyle:
* Cut down the amount of salt you are eating to 6 grams each day or less
* Eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables every day, preferably more
* Be physically active at least five times a weeks for at least 30 minutes
* Lose weight if you are overweight
* Cut down on the amount of alcohol you are drinking if it is excessive, ie, men should drink no more than three or four units a day, women no more than two or three units each day
If your blood pressure is consistently over 160/100mmHg then you will probably be given tablets to take as well as being asked to make changes to your lifestyle. The aim of this treatment is to lower your blood pressure down to below 140/85mmHg whilst making sure that you feel fit and well. If you have diabetes or have had a previous stroke or heart attack you may be asked to lower your blood pressure further, to 130/80mmHg. A small number of people may find their blood pressure very difficult to control even with medication.

Changing Your Lifestyle

Everyone who has high blood pressure should lead a healthy lifestyle and make changes if they need to. In a few people these changes can be enough to lower blood pressure to a level where you may not need to take tablets. If tablets are necessary, a healthy lifestyle can help to make them more effective.

Lifestyle changes should be adopted by the whole family, as, this may lower blood pressure and prevent high blood pressure from occurring later in life. A healthy lifestyle will also make you feel better generally.

These are the five main changes you can make: Click on each section for more information
* Cut down on your salt
* Eat more fruit and vegetables
* Be more active
* Find and reach your ideal weight
* Drink alcohol only in moderate amounts
As well as the five factors set out above there are two other key risk factors for stroke and heart disease, smoking and eating too much saturated fat. These don't in themselves cause high blood pressure. However, if you stop smoking and cut down the amount of saturated fat you eat, this will combine with lowering your blood pressure to cause a very large reduction in your risk of having a stroke or having a heart attack.

Need to know more?

The Association has information on smoking, healthy eating, salt, fruit and vegetables, alcohol and physical activity. Contact us for copies.

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