With most health conditions, you often know when something is wrong. You might get a fever or notice sudden fatigue or even feel sharp shooting pains. When it comes to high blood pressure, things work a little differently and in most cases it doesn’t trigger any symptoms at all, giving it the name “silent killer”. Today, we are going to dive into exactly what high blood pressure is, how to prevent it and how to catch it early!
So first things first, what is high blood pressure? Blood pressure is simply the force of blood pushing outward against the inner walls of your blood vessels as your heart pumps it through your body. When you have high blood pressure (also called hypertension), that fluid force stays consistently too strong. Imagine turning a garden hose nozzle to maximum pressure and leaving it on full blast all day. Over time, that constant high force strains your heart and damages the flexible lining of your blood vessels.
What Causes High Blood Pressure?
High blood pressure usually develops over time rather than happening overnight. Doctors split the causes into two categories: primary causes (everyday lifestyle habits and genetics that build up over time) and secondary causes (underlying health conditions or medications that directly drive numbers up).
Primary Causes:
- High Sodium Intake
- Physical Inactivity
- Excess Body Weight
- Tobacco Use & Vaping
- Excessive Alcohol
- Chronic Stress
Secondary Causes:
- Genetics and Family History
- Aging
How to Prevent High Blood Pressure:
- Reduce salt intake
- Aim for 150 Minutes of Exercise Weekly
- Manage Your Weight
- Quit smoking
- Limit alcohol consumption
- Reduce stress
- Prioritise sleep
The Benefits of Regular Check-Ups:
Regular blood pressure checkups catch high numbers early, long before any damage is done. Since high blood pressure has no warning symptoms, testing your numbers regularly lets you spot rising trends right away. Catching it early means you can fix it with simple daily habits or quick medical care before it hurts your heart or blood vessels.
How Coda Pharmacy can Help:
At Coda Pharmacy, we understand that getting a GP appointment can be a little tricky and knowing how to do your own blood pressure can get confusing. We offer free health checks for our local community in order to make healthcare as accessible as possible. Our next health day is taking place soon and you can get your blood pressure checked, for free!
The Details:
Date: 28.10.26
Location: Grosvenor Park
Time: 10:00 – 14:00
What to expect: Free blood pressure checks, expert pharmacy advice, and family-friendly Halloween fun! We will be joined by a series of excellent healthcare experts offering their services and free taster sessions.
For more details, click here: codapharmacy.co.uk/get-ready-for-codas-spooktacular-health-day
How to Take Your Blood Pressure at Home:
Rest beforehand: Sit quietly with back support and feet flat on the floor for five minutes before taking a reading.
Avoid triggers: Refrain from caffeine, exercise, and tobacco for 30 minutes prior.
Position your arm: Rest your arm on a flat surface so the cuff aligns level with your heart.
Take multiple readings: Record two measurements spaced one minute apart to obtain a stable average.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Once blood pressure comes down, can you stop taking medication? Never stop or adjust blood pressure medication without direct guidance from your healthcare provider. Prescribed treatments keep readings in a safe range; stopping them often causes numbers to climb back up. If lifestyle changes significantly improve your cardiovascular health, your doctor may evaluate whether reducing your dosage is appropriate.
Why is high blood pressure so dangerous if it doesn’t hurt? Unmanaged pressure forces your heart muscle to work harder while creating constant wear and tear along the delicate inner lining of your blood vessels. Over months and years, this mechanical stress stiffens arteries and reduces oxygen delivery, drastically raising the long-term risk for heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, and vision loss.
Can you feel when your blood pressure is high? You cannot reliably gauge your blood pressure based on how you feel. People often assume that feeling anxious, flushed, or dizzy means their pressure is elevated, but these symptoms are unhelpful indicators. Relying on physical sensations is risky because severe arterial damage can occur while feeling entirely healthy. Regular checks with a monitor remain the only accurate assessment method.
Coda Pharmacy is here to support you every step of the way. From offering expert advice, to delivering your NHS prescriptions free of charge. If you have any questions about what you have read in this article or any of the services that Coda Pharmacy can provide you with, please do not hesitate to reach out and contact us here.
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