High blood pressure

Human blood pressure is a measure of the pressure at which blood is pumped around the body. The higher number of the two in a blood pressure reading is a measure of systolic blood pressure, or the force at which your heart pumps blood around your body. The lower number, diastolic pressure, is the resistance to the blood flow in the blood vessels. Both are measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg).

As a general guide, optimal blood pressure is usually considered to be between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg. High blood pressure is considered to be a reading above 140/. At this level there is an increased risk of heart conditions, stroke, kidney disease and vascular dementia. High blood pressure has also been linked to Alzheimer’s disease in older people.

In 2018, the American College of Cardiology lowered the high blood pressure threshold to 130/80mmHg, “to allow for earlier intervention”. The new limits classified millions more people as having high blood pressure, and researchers estimated that up to 80 per cent of newly diagnosed individuals have less than a 10 per cent chance of having a heart attack or stroke in the subsequent decade, as they don’t have any other major risk factors.

Another 11 per cent are expected to have neutral outcomes, while the remaining 9 per cent of newly diagnosed people are likely to benefit from treatment.

Both the American College of Cardiology and UK guidelines recommend lifestyle changes, such as eating less salt, drinking less alcohol and exercising more, to reduce blood pressure. Lilian Anekwe