High blood pressure should be treated
Hypertension (high blood pressure) is a key cause of preventable illness in our society. It is responsible for many strokes, heart attacks and cases of kidney disease.
This problem is very common, but unfortunately many people with hypertension feel perfectly well and have no idea of the potentially lethal consequences of this condition.
How is blood pressure measured?
Blood circulates through our bodies in a network of blood vessels known as the vascular system. The heart acts as a pump, continually pushing blood around the system. When blood pressure is measured, 2 figures are recorded, for example: 120/80 mmHg.
The higher number is called the systolic blood pressure. This is a measure of the highest pressure in the vascular system, which happens with each contraction of the heart. The lower figure, the diastolic pressure, is the pressure in the vascular system between heartbeats.
If either, or both, of these levels are too high, hypertension is present.
In general terms, there is cause for concern when the systolic pressure is above 140 mmHg and the diastolic pressure is above 90 mmHg. Readings above 140/90 mmHg are considered to be hypertension and are further classified as mild, moderate and severe hypertension.
Sometimes hypertension occurs as a result of other diseases, particularly kidney disease. But in many cases there is no obvious cause.
How is hypertension treated?
Mild hypertension can often be treated by changes to lifestyle. Weight loss and increased exercise can make a big difference for some people. But for most cases of moderate and severe hypertension, treatment with medicine is necessary in addition to lifestyle changes. Hypertension is not a disease that can be cured, but it can be controlled.
A wide variety of medicines is now available and treatment is tailored to suit the particular person. For some people, blood pressure may be controlled with a single tablet taken once a day. Others may need more than this and may require a combination of several different medicines to control their blood pressure.
Newer treatments generally have far fewer side effects than the medicines originally used to treat hypertension, and most people continue to live normal lives with the small inconvenience of having to take one or more tablets every day.
It is sensible for all adults to have their blood pressure checked occasionally. If the level is high, your doctor will want to re-check it a few times on separate occasions. If the level remains high, investigations and treatment may be necessary.
By controlling blood pressure and addressing other risk factors such as smoking, obesity, lack of exercise and a high cholesterol level in the blood, many lives could be prolonged and devastating heart attacks and strokes prevented.
Last Reviewed: 15 January 2010
- 1. National Heart Foundation of Australia (National Blood Pressure and Vascular Disease Advisory Committee). Guide to management of hypertension for doctors 2008. 2008 [Update Aug 2009]. Available from: http://www.heartfoundation.org.au/Professional_Information/Clinical_Practice/Hypertension/Pages/default.aspx (accessed Feb 2010).
