Know Your Numbers is Blood Pressure UK's flagship awareness campaign. It encourages adults across the UK to know their blood pressure numbers and take the necessary action to reach and maintain a healthy blood pressure

What is Blood Pressure?

The heart pumps a constant supply of blood around the body through arteries, veins and capillaries. Blood pressure is a measure of the force of the blood on the walls of the arteries as the blood flows through them. It's measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg) and recorded as two measurements:

• systolic pressure – the pressure when your heart beats and squeezes blood into your arteries
  
• diastolic pressure – the pressure when your heart rests between beats

For example, if your systolic blood pressure is 120mmHg and your diastolic blood pressure is 80mmHg, your blood pressure is 120 over 80, which is commonly written as 120/80. Normal blood pressure is between 90/60 and 140/90.

Why is it important to know your blood pressure numbers?

Blood pressure is important because the higher your blood pressure is, the higher your risk of health problems in the future. If your blood pressure is high, it is putting extra strain on your arteries and on your heart.

Blood pressure is one of the most important screenings because high blood pressure usually has no symptoms so it can't be detected without being measured.

The only way to find out if your blood pressure is high is to have your blood pressure checked. It could save your life.

How is blood pressure measured?

Blood pressure is measured with a simple, painless test using a blood pressure cuff which doctors call a sphygmomanometer. This is a small pressure gauge that is attached to an inflatable cuff which is wrapped around your upper arm, forearm or wrist. When measuring blood pressure, your doctor or nurse will use a stethoscope to listen to the blood moving through an artery.

Where can I get my blood pressure tested?

You can get your blood pressure tested at a number of places, including:

• at your GP surgery
  
• at some pharmacies
  
• as part of your NHS Health Check
  
• in some workplaces
  

Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension)

• What is it? People with a blood pressure reading under 90/60 are usually regarded as having low blood pressure.
  
• Why does it happen? This can be for many reasons, including the time of day, your age, the temperature, any medication you may be on, an injury, and some illnesses.
  
• Symptoms include: dizziness, unsteadiness, fainting, blurred vision, palpitations, confusion, nausea, general weakness
• What to do if you have symptoms? Rest and drink some water. Symptoms usually pass quickly. If you have frequent symptoms you should see your GP
• Treatment: Naturally low blood pressure usually doesn't need to be treated unless it's causing symptoms such as dizziness or recurrent falls. If that happens, your GP will look at what the cause might be in case it can be treated.

High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)

What is high blood pressure and what are the risks?

If you have a reading of 140/90 or more, you have high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. This puts extra strain on your blood vessels, heart, and other organs such as the brain, kidneys and eyes. Persistent high blood pressure can increase your risk of a serious and potentially life-threatening condition, such as:

• heart disease
  
• heart attacks
  
• strokes
  
• heart failure
  
• peripheral arterial disease
  
• aortic aneurysms
  
• kidney disease
  
• vascular dementia

Who is at risk of high blood pressure?

Factors that can raise your risk of developing high blood pressure include:

• age – the risk of developing high blood pressure increases as you get older
  
• a family history of high blood pressure
  
• being of African or Caribbean origin
  
• a high amount of salt in your food
• a lack of exercise
  
• being overweight or obese
  
• regularly drinking large amounts of alcohol
  
• smoking
  
• long-term sleep deprivation

Known causes of high blood pressure

It is not always clear what causes high blood pressure in some cases but in about 1 in 20 cases, high blood pressure occurs as the result of an underlying condition, medication or drug. These include:

• kidney disease
  
• diabetes
  
• long-term kidney infections
  
• obstructive sleep apnoea – a condition in which the walls of the throat relax and narrow during sleep, interrupting normal breathing
  
• glomerulonephritis – damage to the tiny filters inside the kidneys
  
• narrowing of the arteries supplying the kidneys
  
• hormone problems – such as an underactive thyroid, an overactive thyroid, Cushing's syndrome, acromegaly, increased levels of the hormone aldosterone (hyperaldosteronism) and phaeochromocytoma
  
• lupus – a condition in which the immune system attacks parts of the body such as the skin, joints and organs
  
• scleroderma – a condition that causes thickened skin, and sometimes problems with organs and blood vessels
  

Some medicines and drugs can also increase your risk of high blood pressure. You can find more details on this by visiting NHS Choices.

Prevention and treatment

Medicines can be prescribed by your doctor to treat high blood pressure. An effective way to manage high blood pressure is to make some lifestyle changes and have your blood pressure checked. All adults over 40 are advised to have this done at least every five years.

Lifestyle changes can lower blood pressure in a matter of weeks but sometimes it can take longer. Try some of these suggestions:

• Stop smoking - for information on how to do this, the benefits and local support visit the smoking cessation pages
  
• Reduce you alcohol intake - To find out about measures and where to get local support click here
  
• Eat healthily - Lots of information and links can be found here
• Move More - Find out more about Moving More and what is available in Ealing here
• Look after your heart - Lots of information here

Support and information

• Know Your Numbers is Blood Pressure UK's flagship awareness campaign. It encourages adults across the UK to know their blood pressure numbers and take the necessary action to reach and maintain a healthy blood pressure
• Blood Pressure UK are the UK's leading blood pressure charity. Their website contains lots of useful information as well as resources that can be ordered and downloaded. Charges are associated with some resources and others are free to download.
• British Heart Foundation resources for patients pages provide links to lots of helpful leaflets that are downloadable and FREE to order. As a charity they appreciate any donations for orders placed
• Ealing Health Trainers can support you to take small steps to leading a healthy lifestyle
• BPASSOC website - has lots of information on the benefits of lifestyle changes and how to go about. The website also offers comprehensive information on high blood pressure
  
• NHS Choices has a lot of useful information and support on blood pressure
  
• One You Ealing can help you kick unhealthy out of your life and offers a range of support