HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
Blood pressure is the pressure which the blood produces in the arteries as it is pumped by the heart to the various organs of the body. When the heart contracts, the blood pressure is at its highest. As the heart relaxes, the blood pressure is at its lowest point. The high one is called the Systolic Pressure, and the low one is called Diastolic Pressure. For example , if the blood pressure is said to be 130/80, 130 means the Systolic and 80 means the Diastolic
 
What is it?
Your blood pressure will vary during the day depending on what you are doing. If you are relaxed and resting it will be lower than when you are active or upset. Also as you grow older, it will tend to rise. All this is fairly normal. There are some people, however, whose blood pressure is found to be persistently above normal when measured over a period of time. These people are suffering from HYPERTENSION , i.e. High blood pressure.

In examining the blood pressure of over 50,000 people in Ireland the Irish Heart Foundation's Mediscan team found that one in every ten adult men and woman have high blood pressure. In the majority of people no known cause can be found for this Hypertension. Having high blood pressure does not produce any symptoms so the only way to detect it is to HAVE IT CHECKED.

Effects of hypertension
High blood pressure adds to the workload of the heart and arteries. This forces the heart to work harder and over a long period it tends to enlarge. While a slightly enlarged heart may function adequately, a very enlarged heart has a hard time keeping up with the demands put on it.

After many years of high blood pressure the arteries may become hardened and scarred and lose their elasticity. They may be no longer capable of delivering enough blood to the various organs of your body to enable them to function properly, or a blood clot may lodge in a narrowed artery and deprive some part of the body of its normal blood supply

This is why doctors look for signs of damage to three vital areas: the heart , the kidneys , and the brain. High blood pressure increases your chances of suffering from a Stroke ( blood vessel damage to the brain). However the risk of a stroke or of damage to the other important organs of your body can be dramatically reduced if blood pressure is treated early, and if this treatment is maintained.

Control of blood pressure
It takes two to control your high blood pressure - the doctor and YOU. By and large if your doctor finds you to have high blood pressure he will ask you to come back at least twice more before considering medication. If you blood pressure is found to be high there are some important rules to follow.
bulletIf you are prescribed tablets you will probably need to continue these tablets for many years to come.
bulletThe number of tablets you are required to take will vary and depend on how your blood pressure responds. This varies from person to person.
bulletInitially you may find that the tablets make you feel unwell and you may have some dizziness, unsteadiness or other complaints. This in not unusual and you should not stop your tablets without consulting your doctor.
bulletAccept that your body has to become adjusted to a new and lower blood pressure. This may take some months during which time you may occasionally feel unwell. Persevere- it is worth it in the long run.
bulletIf you are overweight, losing weight may help lower you blood pressure and reduce the number of tablets that you require.
bulletIf as well as having high blood pressure, you are a smoker, then the risk to your health is much greater so that giving up smoking is essential.
bulletRegular exercise as well as lowering your weight is known to have a beneficial lowering effect on your blood pressure. Your diet is also of vital importance and it should be low in fat and salt.