{"id":306,"date":"2022-02-23T14:31:42","date_gmt":"2022-02-23T14:31:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/cardiacrehabilitation\/high-blood-pressure\/"},"modified":"2022-02-24T12:40:37","modified_gmt":"2022-02-24T12:40:37","slug":"high-blood-pressure","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/cardiacrehabilitation\/high-blood-pressure\/","title":{"rendered":"High Blood Pressure"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/cardiacrehabilitation\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/26\/2022\/02\/BloodPressure.jpg\" alt=\"Young man taking his blood pressure while sitting on the sofa at home\" class=\"wp-image-371\" width=\"200\" height=\"230\" srcset=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/cardiacrehabilitation\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/26\/2022\/02\/BloodPressure.jpg 400w, https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/cardiacrehabilitation\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/26\/2022\/02\/BloodPressure-261x300.jpg 261w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>High blood pressure also known as Hypertension, is a leading cause of heart attacks and strokes. In Scotland 30% of adults have high blood pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Understanding how to manage your&nbsp;<strong>blood pressure<\/strong>&nbsp;will help to gain better control over your condition and to reduce the risk of future problems. Having high blood pressure usually causes no symptoms and so it will be important to learn about how&nbsp;<strong>blood pressure&nbsp;<\/strong>is measured as well as how to control it.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-is-high-blood-pressure\">What is high blood pressure?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For the heart to pump blood through the body, it needs a certain force to push the blood through the arteries. See\u00a0<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nhsinform.scot\/illnesses-and-conditions\/heart-and-blood-vessels\/conditions\/high-blood-pressure-hypertension\" target=\"_blank\">High blood pressure (hypertension)<\/a>\u00a0to learn more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/cardiacrehabilitation\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/26\/2022\/02\/HealthyHeartDumbbell-1024x782.jpg\" alt=\"Healthy Heart Dumbbell Graphic: Heart on left, health food on right, arm in the middle\" class=\"wp-image-380\" width=\"512\" height=\"391\" srcset=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/cardiacrehabilitation\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/26\/2022\/02\/HealthyHeartDumbbell-1024x782.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/cardiacrehabilitation\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/26\/2022\/02\/HealthyHeartDumbbell-300x229.jpg 300w, https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/cardiacrehabilitation\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/26\/2022\/02\/HealthyHeartDumbbell-768x586.jpg 768w, https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/cardiacrehabilitation\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/26\/2022\/02\/HealthyHeartDumbbell-1536x1173.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/cardiacrehabilitation\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/26\/2022\/02\/HealthyHeartDumbbell-2048x1563.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/cardiacrehabilitation\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/26\/2022\/02\/HealthyHeartDumbbell-1493x1140.jpg 1493w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/bihsoc.org\/guidelines\/hypertension-management\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">NICE\/BIHS&nbsp;guideline<\/a>&nbsp;indicates that the following lifestyle activities are associated with a potential reduction in blood pressure:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>weight reduction<\/li><li>reduced salt intake<\/li><li>limitation of alcohol consumption<\/li><li>increased physical activity<\/li><li>increased fruit and vegetable consumption \u00a0<\/li><li>reduced total fat and saturated fat intake.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"medications-for-high-blood-pressure\">Medications for high blood pressure<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If lifestyle changes are not enough to bring your blood pressure to nearer normal levels, then you may be started on medication. There are many different medications to help lower blood pressure and most people need to take more than one type. Research suggests that taking two or more medicines often has a much better effect than taking just one.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you would like to know more about your medication, click on the links below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bhf.org.uk\/informationsupport\/heart-matters-magazine\/medical\/drug-cabinet\/ace-inhibitors\" target=\"_blank\">ACE inhibitors<\/a>\u00a0i.e. Ramipril or Lisinopril<\/li><li><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bhf.org.uk\/informationsupport\/heart-matters-magazine\/medical\/drug-cabinet\/arbs\" target=\"_blank\">Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)<\/a>\u00a0 i.e. Candesartan, Irbisartan<\/li><li><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bhf.org.uk\/informationsupport\/heart-matters-magazine\/medical\/drug-cabinet\/calcium-channel-blockers\" target=\"_blank\">Calcium-channel blockers<\/a>\u00a0 i.e. Amlodipine<\/li><li><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bhf.org.uk\/informationsupport\/heart-matters-magazine\/medical\/drug-cabinet\/beta-blockers\" target=\"_blank\">Beta-blockers<\/a>\u00a0i.e. Bispoprolol, Atenolol<\/li><li><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bhf.org.uk\/informationsupport\/heart-matters-magazine\/medical\/drug-cabinet\/diuretics\" target=\"_blank\">Diuretics<\/a>\u00a0i.e Bendroflumethiazide<\/li><li>Alpha-blockers (Doxazocin)<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"monitoring-your-own-blood-pressure\">Monitoring your own blood pressure<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You can take charge of monitoring and recording your blood pressure to make sure the medications and lifestyle changes are working.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"288\" height=\"155\" src=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/cardiacrehabilitation\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/26\/2022\/02\/BP-monitor.jpg\" alt=\"Image of a digital Blood Pressure Monitor\" class=\"wp-image-379\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>As a general guide:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>140\/90mmHg or over \u2013 you may have high blood pressure<br><\/strong>Most doctors use 140\/90mmHg as the cut off for point for diagnosing&nbsp;high blood pressure. This is the point where your risk of serious health problems goes up. They might prescribe&nbsp;medications&nbsp;and advise you to make changes to your&nbsp;lifestyle to bring your blood pressure down.<\/li><li><strong>120\/80mmHg up to 140\/90mmHg \u2013 pre-high blood pressure<br><\/strong>Also called high-normal blood pressure. This is not high blood pressure, but it is a little higher than it should be and means you could go on to develop high blood pressure.<\/li><li><strong>90\/60mmHg up to 120\/80mmHg \u2013 ideal blood pressure<br><\/strong>Also called normal blood pressure. Your blood pressure reading is healthy. At this level you have a much lower risk of heart disease and stroke.<\/li><li><strong>90\/60mmHg or lower \u2013 you may have low blood pressure<br><\/strong>Low blood pressure&nbsp;usually isn&#8217;t a problem, but it can sometimes make you feel faint or dizzy or could be a sign of another health problem.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This is summarised in&nbsp;a simple diagram and explained further in the&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.bloodpressureuk.org\/your-blood-pressure\/understanding-your-blood-pressure\/what-do-the-numbers-mean\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">What do the numbers mean guide from Blood Pressure UK<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Remember these figures are only ever used as a guide. We are all individuals and will be treated as such. If you have any questions speak to your cardiac rehab practitioner or your GP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"further-reading\">Further reading&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.chss.org.uk\/heart-information-and-support\/about-your-heart-condition\/common-heart-conditions\/high-blood-pressure\/\" target=\"_blank\">Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland&#8217;s information on high blood pressure<\/a>\u00a0<\/li><li><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bhf.org.uk\/informationsupport\/risk-factors\/high-blood-pressure\" target=\"_blank\">British Heart Foundation&#8217;s information on blood pressure<\/a><\/li><li><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bhf.org.uk\/informationsupport\/publications\/heart-conditions\/understanding-blood-pressure\" target=\"_blank\">British Heart Foundation Understanding Blood Pressure<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>High blood pressure also known as Hypertension, is a leading cause of heart attacks and strokes. In Scotland 30% of adults have high blood pressure. Understanding how to manage your&nbsp;blood pressure&nbsp;will help to gain better control over your condition and to reduce the risk of future problems. Having high blood pressure usually causes no symptoms<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":24,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-templates\/widewidth.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"class_list":["post-306","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"rttpg_featured_image_url":null,"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"davidmcbain","author_link":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/cardiacrehabilitation\/author\/davidmcbain\/"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":false,"rttpg_excerpt":"High blood pressure also known as Hypertension, is a leading cause of heart attacks and strokes. In Scotland 30% of adults have high blood pressure. Understanding how to manage your&nbsp;blood pressure&nbsp;will help to gain better control over your condition and to reduce the risk of future problems. Having high blood pressure usually causes no symptoms","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/cardiacrehabilitation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/306","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/cardiacrehabilitation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/cardiacrehabilitation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/cardiacrehabilitation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/cardiacrehabilitation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=306"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/cardiacrehabilitation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/306\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":381,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/cardiacrehabilitation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/306\/revisions\/381"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/cardiacrehabilitation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=306"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/cardiacrehabilitation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=306"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}