Answer: Last week, we looked at the importance of getting our blood pressure checked and the various options that are available. This week we’ll take a look at what it means if you or perhaps someone close to you is diagnosed either with high or low blood pressure and the changes that they might have to make as a result.
High Blood Pressure in Ireland
As we saw, a startlingly high number of Irish people, particularly in the over 45 age group, have high blood pressure or hypertension. According to the Irish Heart Foundation, this number is over 50% of the older population, and in their estimation the vast majority of these people are perhaps unaware or in denial about their condition and are not being treated.
With high blood pressure, it’s easy to understand why people might be unaware of the problem as it does not manifest itself in any particularly noticeable ways. This makes regular testing all the more important as unchecked or untreated high blood pressure can lead to heart disease, stroke (2,000 deaths a year), and even kidney damage or failure.
If you’re diagnosed with high blood pressure by your doctor, it is likely that you’ll be put on a course of medication to combat the problem and arrest the high blood rate. It’s vitally important to take these tablets as they are prescribed and only cease at the behest of your G.P. Most blood pressure tablets will not result in any discomfort or side effects to the patient, but should that occur it’s best to inform your doctor and consult with them in order to find the medication that suits you best.
Lifestyle changes will be advised in order to alleviate the strain on your system and limit the potential for your blood pressure to cause any serious problems or attacks. In short, these will usually concentrate on diet and physical exercise. Sodium, for instance, is one of the leading causes of high blood pressure in Ireland, and it’s likely that your doctor will advise limiting your salt intake substantially. An increase in healthy foods like fresh vegetables and greens with their high level of vitamins and fibre will also be advised in order to increase to overall health and control weight. Common, but harmful, habits like smoking and alcohol should also be limited extensively.
Low Blood Pressure
In general, low blood pressure is common for people who exercise extensively and even in healthy non-smokers of a normal weight who eat healthily. Sometimes, however, low blood pressure is an indicator of more serious health issues that have as yet gone undiagnosed. In other cases, a faint feeling or dizzy spells when standing can also be caused by hypotension.
As with high blood pressure, if your doctor finds that there is some cause for concern there are medications available for low blood pressure, although if the hypotension is simply a by-product of a more serious ailment, your doctor will concentrate on that primarily.
In the case where hypotension is caused by lifestyle factors, you may actually have to exercise less, use more salt, or even switch to caffeinated coffee!
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John Keane is a full time pharmacist and owner of Keanes Pharmacy. Why not discuss this topic confidentially with John anytime in person at Keanes Pharmacy, Austin Friars or 0449342884 ©Keanes Pharmacy
