According to the NHS, around a third of adults in the UK have high blood pressure. If blood pressure continues to rise, people are more likely to suffer from vascular dementia, aneurysms and heart failure.
The national health body explains you’re more at risk of hypertension as soon as you reach the age of 65.
However, one of the biggest risk factors for the condition is being overweight and not doing enough exercise.
This is why doing the government’s minimum recommended guidance of 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week is encouraged.
“Making healthy lifestyle changes can help lower your blood pressure if it’s already high,” testified the NHS.
If you struggle to find the motivation to exercise, start by walking more than usual.
If you take the lift into and out of your apartment, take the stairs; if you drive to a shop nearby, how about walking there?
With England in its second national lockdown, now is the perfect opportunity to take a long walk by yourself, with a friend, or a loved one.
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If you find it difficult to keep track of what you’re eating, it may be helpful to get a food diary.
It’s also better to be mindful of how much alcohol you’re drinking on a daily or weekly basis (if applicable).
Drinking too much alcohol – 14 units or more weekly – is linked to high blood pressure.
In addition, drinking too many caffeinated drinks is a risk factor for high blood pressure.
If your reading is 140/90mmHg or higher, then you’re classified as having high blood pressure.
“Everyone with high blood pressure is advised to make healthy lifestyle changes,” said the NHS.
Whether medication is offered or not will be dependent on your own circumstances.
If you have high blood pressure, comment below on how you manage your condition.