Hypertension is often dubbed a ‘silent killer and while it isn’t visible to the naked eye, it can have severe life threatening consequences. When the pressure in your blood vessels is consistently too high, you have hypertension and your risk of developing serious health complication such as heart disease or strokes significantly increases. It’s estimated that just over a quarter of all adults in the UK have hypertension, so this World Hypertension Day let’s take a look at the risk factors, treatments and preventative measures that you can take today.

What are the risks?

The dangers of hypertension extend far beyond elevated numbers on a blood pressure monitor. Left unchecked, high blood pressure significantly increases the risk of a range of serious and life-threatening conditions such as:

• Heart disease
• Heart attacks
• Heart failure
• Strokes
• Peripheral arterial disease
• Aortic aneurysms
• Kidney disease
• Vascular dementia

Checking your blood pressure

The only way to find out if you have hypertension is to have a blood pressure test. The test is easy to do and readily accessible, some of the places where you can get a test are pharmacies, GP surgeries, NHS health checks and certain workplaces. The NHS recommend that everyone over the age of 40 get tested at least every 5 years, although people from African, Afro-Caribbean or South Asian heritage may develop hypertension earlier and are encouraged to get tested sooner.

Risk factors

Understanding the risk factors for hypertension can significantly improve your chances of avoiding the condition. Lifestyle factors like obesity, poor diet, lack of exercise, excessive alcohol consumption and chronic stress are big contributors to hypertension. However, there are some risk factors that cannot be avoided such as having a relative with high blood pressure, certain underlying health conditions and some medications.

Lifestyle changes

So what can you do to reduce your chances of getting high blood pressure? Adopting a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins gives you a better chance of preventing obesity. Likewise cutting down on smoking and alcohol will reduce the risk of getting hypertension. Regular physical activity can bring down your blood pressure too, even small changes like taking the stairs instead of an elevator or going for a walk during your lunch break can make a difference.

Employers

Employers can play a role in protecting their employees by creating a workplace culture that prioritises wellbeing. This can include providing free fruit in canteens, encouraging walking meetings, providing resources for stress management and creating after-work sports teams. Additionally employers can implement a health surveillance program to identify workers with hypertension, or the early signs of hypertension, so that interventions can be made to improve their blood pressure.

Final thoughts

This World Hypertension Day let’s commit to prioritising our health. By understanding the risks of hypertension, promoting regular blood pressure checks, and supporting lifestyle changes, employers can create a healthier happier workforce. At MOHS our comprehensive health surveillance programs are tailored to meet the unique needs of your organisation. Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your employees on their journey to optimal health at info@mohs.co.uk