Take the pressure down

We all have about five litres of blood to pump to our organs, so if it’s too forceful or not strong enough it can cause serious health problems. GP Dr Deborah Cohen-Jones tells what you should look out for.

- Amy Hadley

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

“It’s important for our body to receive its blood at the correct pressure to ensure the tissues aren’t damaged by the force, and that they receive sufficient blood supply at adequate pressure to oxygenate the tissue,” says Dr Cohen-Jones.

High blood pressure (hypertension) can damage the heart, brain, kidneys and eyes in various ways, some of which are irreversible. This can include heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure and retina injury.

Common signs of high blood pressure include headaches, blurred vision and increased awareness of your heartbeat or a thumping sensation.

“High blood pressure often has no symptoms, particularly if it occurs gradually over time, which is why regular blood pressure checks with your GP are so important,” she says.

“Treating underlying causes and addressing other risk factors like diabetes and cholesterol is also vital.”

GESTATIONAL HYPERTENSION