What causes high blood pressure and what does it do to the body

asks Ksail:
A. Your blood pressure depends on how vigorously your heart is pumping blood around your body, and how narrow or relaxed your blood vessels are. High blood pressure - or hypertension - means that your blood is being pumped through your body at an increased pressure.

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Q. Is your blood pressure always the same
A. No, your blood pressure changes according to what you're up to - it goes down when you're sleeping, for example, and rises when you're exercising. It also rises with age, so this has to be taken into account, too. A person with hypertension has high blood pressure even when resting.

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(Your blood pressure is also likely to increase when you see a doctor, so you have to be given a number of readings over a period of time to establish whether your blood pressure really is too high!)

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Q. How common is high blood pressure
A. It's estimated to affect 10-20% of adults in the UK. Men are more likely to be affected than women.

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Q. What causes it
A. More than 90% of the time there is no known cause (this is known as primary or essential hypertension). Otherwise, underlying causes include kidney problems, alcohol abuse, and hormonal problems (this is known as secondary hypertension). It can also be triggered by pregnancy or taking the Pill.

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Smoking, stress, too much alcohol and being overweight aggravate it.

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Q. Doesn't eating salt cause it
A. Salt can directly affect blood pressure in some people, and eating too much can be harmful for those with high blood pressure.

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Q. What are the symptoms
A. Hypertension doesn't usually cause symptoms. If it's particularly severe, it can cause dizziness, headaches, shortness of breath or problems with vision.

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Q. What it does to your body
A. It puts a huge strain on your heart and blood vessels, increasing your risk of stroke and heart disease. It can also damage the kidneys and the eyes.

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Q. How can you avoid having high blood pressure
A. For a start, get your blood pressure checked every few years. Also:

• Keep your weight down.
• Exercise.
• Cut down on salt.
• Don't smoke.
• Don't drink too much alcohol.
• Reduce your stress levels.

Q. Where can I find out more
A. Visit the British Hypertension Society's website.

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By Sheena Miller

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