Why is hypertension (high blood pressure) a problem?
Over time it can lead to someone having a stroke, heart disease, kidney disease, vascular dementia, peripheral artery disease and erectile dysfunction
What should your blood pressure be?
Ideally, we should all have a blood pressure reading between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg.
What are the symptoms of hypertension (high blood pressure)?
Blood pressure isn’t usually something that you feel or notice. High blood pressure usually has no symptoms, so the first sign of it can sometimes be a heart attack or stroke.
Who should have a blood pressure check?
All adults should have their blood pressure checked. Blood pressure becomes more common with age, so if you’re over 40 you should have a blood pressure check at least every five years
Where can you get a blood pressure check?
GP surgery- Most pharmacies
- Some work places
- As part of an NHS health check
- At home. The British Heart Foundation (BHF) have produced a guide on: How to choose a blood pressure monitor, click this link to visit thier web page.
- West Yorkshire Healthy Hearts have produced a guide on: How to measure your blood pressure, click this link to download the leaflet.
- To track your blood pressure the British Hypertension Society have produced a: Home blood pressure diary, click this link to download the diary.
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If you want to track your blood pressure at home you can also use an app like https:/
/ www. optbp.com/
It’s quick, easy, free and painless.
High blood pressure, what’s the fuss?
Read Dr Tarun Narula’s (CVD prevention clinical lead for Yorkshire and Humber and Wakefield GP) blog: May Measure Month 12 May 2023
What is happening in my area?
There is lots of work happening across West Yorkshire, supporting core20plus5. Pilots and projects include outreach work in local communities, working with Voluntary, Community, Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector to ensure blood pressure checks are offered and the development of blood pressure champions.