What is hypertension? (high blood pressure)
You suffer from hypertension if your resting blood pressure is higher than 135/85. It is important that the blood pressure is measured at home in familiar surroundings and over several days. Blood pressure is a measure of what force the heart uses to pump blood around the body and how much resistance there is in the blood vessels.
What are the reasons for hypertension?
The cause of hypertension is often unknown but it may be hereditary. Hypertension is often seen with other cardiovascular diseases, overweight, diabetes, high consumption of alcohol etc.
When should you be checked?
In most cases, people with hypertension have no symptoms. If the blood pressure is very high, patients experience faintness, headache, heart palpitations, or shortness of breath. It is recommended that everyone over the age of 40 knows their blood pressure.
How is hypertension diagnosed?
The diagnose is reached by measuring your blood pressure for three days at home while at rest. If the blood pressure is above 135/85, it is too high, and you need to contact your local health care center.
What can you do yourself?
Avoid smoking, be physically active, limit your intake of salt, alcohol, and liquorice. Try to lose weight if you are overweight.
What is the treatment?
You can lower the risk of complications associated with high blood pressure by changing lifestyle and getting medication that lowers the blood pressure. Complications might be heart attack, stroke or kidney disease.
Blood pressure status:
We recommend that you measure your blood pressure at home for 3 days once a year, unless otherwise instructed.
