Living with Hypertension
What is blood pressure?
Blood pressure is the pressure of blood in your arteries – the vessels that carry your blood from your heart to your brain and the rest of your body. You need a certain amount of pressure to get the blood moving round your body.
Your blood pressure naturally goes up and down throughout the day and night, and it’s normal for it to go up while you’re moving about. It’s when your overall blood pressure is consistently high, even when you are resting, that you need to do something about it.
High blood pressure is medically known as hypertension. It means your blood pressure is consistently too high and means that your heart has to work harder to pump blood around your body. High blood pressure is serious. If you ignore it, it can lead to heart and circulatory diseases like heart attack or stroke. It can also cause kidney failure, heart failure, problems with your sight and vascular dementia.
Although your arteries are stretchy to cope with your blood pressure going up and down, if you have high blood pressure, your arteries lose their stretchiness and become stiff or narrow. The narrowing makes it easier for fatty material (atheroma) to clog them up.
If the arteries that carry blood to your heart get damaged and clogged, it can lead to a heart attack.
Understanding your blood pressure reading?
Having good blood pressure is possibly the most important factor in cutting your risk of a heart attack, stroke or diabetes complications. Find out about what your blood pressure should be. There are two readings taken to see if your blood pressure is normal, high or low.
In Northwest London Public Health data shows an average of 28% of adults have high blood pressure and with this figure lower than might be expected in the population, it is important that you get your blood pressure checked.
You can get your blood pressure tested at a number of places, including:
• your local GP surgery
• some pharmacies
• some workplaces
Everyone over 40 should have their blood pressure checked at least once every five years, but if you have diabetes or non-diabetic hyperglycaemia (NDH or prediabetes), checking your blood pressure is a key part of your annual review.
How blood pressure is measured
A stethoscope, pump, arm cuff and dial are often used, but sensors and digital displays can also measure blood pressure.
Your blood pressure is measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg) and two figures are given: Systolic pressure, which is the pressure when your heart pushes blood out.
Diastolic pressure, which is the pressure when your heart rests between beats.
So a reading of 140/90mmHg means you have a systolic pressure of 140mmHg and a diastolic pressure of 90mmHg.
What your blood pressure should be?
An ideal blood pressure is between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg.
Your blood pressure is low if it is less than 90/60mmHg.
With diabetes, you have high blood pressure if your reading is 140/80mmHg or higher (or an average of 135/75mmHg at home).
If you have diabetes, the normal guidelines about blood pressure are different because of the way that the risks of diabetes and blood pressure combine together. If you’re younger or if you have complications, there is an additional long-term benefit from getting your blood pressure below 130/80 in order to avoid the damage that high blood pressure can cause.
You may need treatment to keep your blood pressure under control. This is called antihypertensive medication.
However, if you are overweight, the most effective thing that you can do to help your blood pressure is to lose weight. Even losing 5-10% of your body weight can have a dramatic effect on your blood pressure, and may even mean that you could stop taking some of your blood pressure medication (or avoid it altogether).
Checking your blood pressure is high over time
Blood pressure can change throughout the day because of how we are feeling, so if you’re feeling stressed, it could be higher.
If you have a high reading, you may be asked to take some readings over a period of 24 hours, to see if it stays high during that whole time. This can be done using either a home blood pressure monitor or wearing a 24-hour monitor. This test is called 24-hour or ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM).
Medication for high blood pressure
Several medications help control high blood pressure, with many people taking a combination of different ones.
The medication you need depends on your age and ethnicity, but as a guide: If you’re aged under-55, which medication you take depends on your age. Your healthcare team can discuss this with you. This medication will reduce blood pressure by relaxing your blood vessels.
If you’re 55 or older, or of African or Caribbean origin and any age, you'll usually be offered a calcium channel blocker. These reduce blood pressure by widening your blood vessels.
You may need to always take blood pressure medication – but if your blood pressure stays under control for several years, you may be able to cut back or stop treatment. Most people don't have any side effects from these medications, but your GP will advise you on this.
Additional medicines to control blood pressure may be used, such as diuretics or beta blockers also called water pills.
Beta-blockers, which make your heart beat more slowly to reduce blood pressure, are not widely used because other medications give better results.
How to make changes to your Lifestyle
Making changes to your lifestyle can often reduce blood pressure in just a few weeks, like:
• cutting your salt intake to less than 6g (0.2oz) a day
• eating a balanced diet that includes fresh fruit and vegetables
• losing weight
• cutting down on alcohol
• drinking less caffeine (found in coffee, tea and cola)
• stopping smoking
• getting at least six hours of sleep a night
You may be able to avoid medication if you make these lifestyle changes early, please seek advice from your GP/nurse.
See more information in the following sections:
Are you feeling worried, anxious or low in mood?
Further information
Eating too much salt may raise your blood pressure and increase your risk of developing heart and circulatory diseases.
There are small changes you can make to cut down the amount of salt you eat. Over time, this will help to keep your heart healthy.
What is salt and what is sodium?
When we use salt to season our food, we use table salt. Table salt is also called sodium chloride. When you see sodium on food labels, it’s just another way of talking about the amount of salt in the food.
Some sodium in our diet is good because it helps our kidneys to control the amount of water in our blood. If we eat too much sodium, water is pulled back into our bloodstream. The more water in our blood vessels, the higher our blood pressure gets.
High blood pressure can put you at risk of developing heart and circulatory diseases such as:
• heart attack
• heart failure
• stroke
• vascular dementia
How much salt should I eat per day?
The recommended daily salt intake for adults is less than 6 grams of salt per day. 6 grams of salt is about one level teaspoon.
Children should eat less salt than adults. The recommended daily intake of salt for babies and children depends on their age.
Some food labels call salt, sodium instead. Salt and sodium are measured slightly differently. The recommended daily sodium intake for adults is less than 2.5g per day.
The recommended daily intake of salt (or sodium) includes the amount already added it ready-made and processed foods, as well as the salt you add when you cook and eat.
How do I know how much salt I’m eating?
The labels on your food will usually have a nutritional information section. This section will show you how much of each nutrient is in the food, like the amount of salt. To see how much salt is in the packaged food, you can look at the ‘amount per serving’.
Some food labels have a traffic light system to help you see if the food has a low, medium or high amount of salt in it. If you reduce the amount of food you eat with medium (amber) and high (red) levels of salt, it will help you reduce your risk of developing high blood pressure.
What foods are high in salt and sodium?
A lot of the food we eat already has salt in it. In fact, around three quarters of the salt we eat on a daily basis has already been added to our food before we buy it.
Most people know that microwave meals, takeaways and snacks like crisps are high in salt. You might be surprised to know a lot of other foods are also high in salt such as:
• cheese
• breakfast cereals
• canned soups
• bread, pastries and pizzas
• biscuits, cookies and cakes
• processed meats – sausages, bacon and ham
• sauces – gravy, ketchup, mustard, brown sauce and soy sauce.
The amount of salt will vary between different brands and varieties. Check your food labels before you buy to help you choose healthier options.
It might feel tricky to have tasty food and watch how much salt you’re having. There are other ways to add flavour to food other than salt. Many people add flavour to their food by using:
• chilli
• lemon juice
• black pepper
• fresh and dried herbs
• fresh and dried spices.
• Reducing how much salt you eat can make you feel less thirsty, less dehydrated and have less headaches.
What foods are low in salt and sodium?
Even if the food we eat doesn’t taste salty, it might still be high in salt. But there are many foods that are naturally low in salt and sodium. You can reduce the number of salty foods you eat by swapping to less salty options. Trying new recipes and seasonings can also help you make your meals exciting and satisfying.
Are other types of salt healthier?
No, other types of salt still effect your blood pressure in the same way table salt does. They include:
• pink salt
• black salt
• rock salt
• crystal salt
• salt flakes.
These types of salts are usually less refined (less processed) than table salt. But their amount of sodium and nutrients are similar to table salt. They can still put you at risk of developing heart and circulatory diseases.
Some supermarkets sell low salt alternatives like LoSalt and Saxa So-Low, or their own brands. These salt substitutes have less sodium than normal salt. They can help you reduce your sodium intake, but they won’t help you kick the habit of eating salty or ready-made foods. The low salt alternative brands usually contain potassium.
High levels of potassium are not recommended for people with existing health conditions. If you have an existing health condition, you may want to talk to your doctor before using a salt substitute.
Physical activity can help reduce your risk of heart and circulatory disease. It can also help you control your weight, reduce blood pressure and cholesterol and improve your mental health – helping you to look and feel great.
Working out at home is on the rise! A great first step to moving more, which will help you manage your diabetes. Find out how to get fit at home, for free.
Many people are turning to home workouts because you can fit in your exercise when it suits you, it’s mostly free and it’s so easy to find something you like online or via a fitness app.
Being more active at home can have a positive effect on your blood pressure, it’s well reported that moving more gives us the feel-good factor and more energy as we become fitter.
9 ways to get more active
1. Start small
Try breaking down your exercise into short sessions throughout the day and build up from there. You could start by taking a 30 minute walk every day. Or why not try our 10 minute workout? You can do it from the comfort of your own living room.
2. Be realistic about your goals
Set yourself realistic goals that are specific and achievable. For example, set a goal to do a short walk outside every day or try our 10-minute workout (see above) which can be done indoors.
3. Make exercise part of your day
Plan a time to do some physical activity that fits in with the rest of your day and try keeping an activity diary to help monitor your progress and success. You could walk or cycle instead of driving. If you miss a day, don't worry - just make sure you start again the next day.
4. Keep moving
Remember, everyday activities count, so look out for opportunities to be active during the day while you're in or outdoors.
5. You don't have to go it alone
Involve friends and family by going for walks with them, or join an exercise class together to make activities more fun, sociable and enjoyable.
6. Make sure you get plenty of variety
Make a list of enjoyable activities you can do such as dancing and yoga, and place them in a jar. Pick a different activity to do each week. By varying your activities, you are less likely to get bored and lose interest.
7. Set reminders where you can see them
Prompt yourself to be more physically active by setting reminders. Put Post-it notes on the fridge door or by the kettle, or set daily reminders on your phone.
8. Keep an eye on your progress
You can use a pedometer to count the number of steps you walk each day. It's easy to use and can be fun to set daily goals for yourself.
9. Reward yourself
Recognise when you achieve your goals. Think of things that you could reward yourself with, like a copy of your favourite magazine, a new pair of trainers or a massage.
The British Heart Foundation video below says you don't need fancy gym gear or a lot of space to get active– just a few minutes and a positive attitude. Read our safe not scared page for tips on how to stay safe when exercising.
Below you can click on some workouts you can try at home
BHF home-workout video: YouTube
A healthy diet can help reduce your risk of developing coronary heart disease and stop you gaining weight, reducing your risk of diabetes and high blood pressure.
It can also help lower your cholesterol levels and reduce your risk of some cancers. Even if you already have a heart condition, a healthy diet can benefit your heart.
We recognise this may be a worrying time for lots of people and we know that people tend turn to food as a way of coping with stress or other emotions. This is common, but when you’re feeling down it’s even more important to fuel your body and mind with nutritious, feel-good food. This isn’t always the easiest or most attractive option, but it will make you feel much better in the long run.
The best way to understand it is to think of foods in food groups.
Try to eat:
• plenty of fruit and vegetables
• plenty of starchy foods such as bread, rice, potatoes and pasta. Choose wholegrain varieties wherever possible
• some milk and dairy products
• some meat, fish, eggs, beans and other non-dairy sources of protein
• only a small amount of foods and drinks high in fats and/or sugar.
• Choose options that are lower in fat, salt and sugar whenever you can.
Fruit and vegetables
A well-balanced diet should include at least 5 portions of fruit and veg a day. Try to vary the types of fruit and veg you eat.
They can be fresh, frozen, dried or tinned. Pure unsweetened fruit juice, pulses and beans count as a portion, but they only make up a maximum of one of your five a day, however much you eat in one day.
Fats
To help look after your heart health it is important to make sure you choose the right type of fats.
So to help keep your heart healthy:
- Replace saturated fats with small amounts of mono and polyunsaturated fats
- Cut down on foods containing trans fats
- It's also important to remember that all fats and oils are high in calories, so even the unsaturated fats should only be used in small amounts.
Saturated fat
Too much saturated fat can increase the amount of cholesterol in the blood, which can increase the risk of developing coronary heart disease.
Unsaturated fats
Unsaturated fats, which can be monounsaturated fats (for example olive oil, rapeseed oil, almonds, unsalted cashews and avocado) or polyunsaturated fats (including sunflower oil and vegetable oil, walnuts, sunflower seeds and oily fish) are a healthier choice.
Trans fats
Another type of fat, known as trans-fat, can also raise the amount of cholesterol in the blood.
A selection of alcoholic drinks including wine and beer
Drinking more than the recommended amount of alcohol can have a harmful effect on your heart and general health.
This is a stressful and scary time for many people, and the temptation to drink alcohol may be strong during this period. For your health, it's important to try to stay within the recommended guidelines for alcohol consumption.
Alcohol can cause abnormal heart rhythms, high blood pressure, damage to your heart muscle and other diseases such as stroke, liver problems and some cancers.
Alcohol is also high in calories so it can lead to weight gain. It also lowers your inhibitions which might mean you find it harder to stick to your healthy eating plans when you have been drinking.
If you are trying to lose weight, cut down on alcohol.
How much can I drink?
If you drink alcohol it is important to keep within the guidelines:
Men and women should not drink more than 14 units of alcohol each week. You should have several alcohol-free days each week. These guidelines apply whether you drink regularly, or only occasionally.
Most people don’t drink alcohol every day - but if you do, you should aim to have some days off. Just make sure you don’t increase the amount you drink on the other days. If you do drink as much as 14 units per week, spread this our evenly over three days or more.
Drinking large amounts of alcohol in one go can cause additional damage to your body, so avoid heavy or ‘binge’ drinking – you can’t save up your units! If you drink too much, avoid alcohol for 48 hours to allow your body time to recover.
How much is one unit of alcohol?
A unit is a measure of alcohol. The number of units is based on the size of the drink and its alcohol strength (ABV). The ABV (alcohol by volume) figure is the percentage of alcohol in the drink.
A single pub measure (25mls) of spirits (40% ABV) contains one unit of alcohol.
A glass (50 ml) of liqueur, sherry or other fortified wine (20% ABV) contains one unit of alcohol.
Half a pint (about 300mls) of normal strength (4% ABV) lager, cider or beer contains 1.1 unit of alcohol - be aware that many beers and ciders are stronger and have a higher volume than this.
A standard 175ml glass of wine (13% ABV) would be 2.3 units - be aware that many wines have a higher alcohol content and the size of glasses may be bigger.
Is it true alcohol can be good for your heart?
There may be some heart health benefits for women over the age of 55 as long as they have no more than five units in a week. However, we would not advise you to start drinking if you don't already. There are safer and healthier ways to protect your heart.
It is more important to start doing more physical activity, eat a healthy, balanced diet and to stop smoking.
Low carb alcoholic drinks
Know what’s in your drink, so you can choose the best type for you. For instance, low-carb options include:
• dry red or white wines
• sparkling white wines like champagne cava and prosecco
• pure spirits like whiskey, gin and vodka
• cocktails like a dry martini
• High-carb drinks include:
• beer
• cider
• sugary cocktails
• alcopops
Some beers and ciders contain much more carbs, which will increase your blood sugar levels further. Also avoid beers and cider (sometimes called diabetic drinks) that may have less sugar because they could have more alcohol in them. Just one pint of a low-sugar beer can bring you above the legal limit.
Be careful if you drink any of the following, as they can be high in sugars:
• low-alcohol wines (often have more sugar than normal ones)
• sweet sherries and vermouths
• sweet wines, like dessert wine
• liqueurs, like Bailey’s, Amaretto and Malibu

• Go for soda water or tonic mixers rather than coke or lemonade, which are much higher in sugars or ask for diet versions.
If you drink a bottle of wine 6 times a month at 600 calories per bottle, that’s 600 x 6 = 3600 a month. An extra 43,200 calorie a year. Halve this to 3 bottles to save 21,600 calories a year while still enjoying a drink.
Kicking the habit
The risk of developing serious problems that damage your eyes, feet, legs and kidneys doubles if you smoke and have diabetes.
Smoking narrows your blood vessels, which is a huge problem for people with diabetes as it can cause serious complications that lead to loss of sight and limbs.
Smoking doubles your risk of heart disease and stroke, and causes many different types of cancer. So let’s focus on the benefits of quitting here.
The cost of smoking: your money or your life?
Being smoke free can prevent 15 different types of cancer. Smoking is bad for our health and costs lots of money, but if you think the risks are worth it, here are some hard facts:
On average, smokers die 10 years younger than non-smokers.
Smoking burns a hole in your pocket that just keeps getting bigger. For instance, if you smoke 10 cigs a day in 2019, you’re spending about £28.00 per week, which is nearly £14,000 over 10 years – and could be much higher as the cost keeps going up.
Teenage smokers get more asthma and chest problems than non-smokers, they also have poorer health and are less fit.
Smoking ages you – smokers get wrinkles much earlier than non-smokers and you're more likely to go grey and lose your hair.
It’s not just about you, though, as you could be harming your loved ones: passive smoking damages the health of those who are close to you.
There are no benefits to smoking
People often say that smoking is relaxing, but smoking actually stresses you out more because the nicotine in cigarettes is a stimulant so it can’t calm you down. OK, you may feel more relaxed as you’re smoking, but that’s because in that moment you’re feeding your itch for nicotine.
The reality is that as soon as you put out a cigarette your stress levels go up to where they were before.
Smoking doesn’t stop you from putting weight on and you won’t put on weight just because you stop smoking.
And don’t think that just a few cigarettes won’t do you any harm. Not smoking much or only smoking for a short time does matter because even your first cigarette hurts your body. Every cigarette you have puts gases and chemicals that cause cancer and other diseases into your body. Your health improves the moment you stop.
Kicking the smoking habit
The good news is that you can get help if you want to kick the habit today. Don’t be afraid to tell your healthcare team that you smoke, as they’ve helped hundreds of people like you before.
Ask your GP about stop smoking programmes in North West London or search for stopping smoking programmes in your area now.
The NHS national programme, called “Smokefree” is a website and an app that has helped millions of people quit. Both are free and give you a personal plan on how to stop, including a way to calculate how much money you save and how your health improves the longer you’ve stopped.
Extra Resources-
https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/quit-smoking/10-self-help-tips-to-stop-smoking/
App
What about shisha pipes?
Shisha pipes use tobacco sweetened with fruit and fruit flavouring. Wood, coal, or charcoal is burned in the shisha pipe to heat the tobacco and create the smoke because the fruit syrup or sugar makes the tobacco damp.
When you smoke shisha, you are breathing in smoke which releases toxins including carbon monoxide and heavy metals –reducing your body’s ability to carry oxygen around in your blood.
Shisha tobacco contains tobacco, nicotine, tar, carbon monoxide and heavy metals, such as arsenic and lead. As a result, shisha smokers are at risk of the same kinds of diseases as cigarette smokers, such as heart disease, cancer, respiratory disease and problems during pregnancy.
The average shisha-smoking session lasts an hour and research has shown that in this time you can inhale the same amount of smoke as from more than 100 cigarettes.
Are you feeling worried, anxious or low in mood?
Are you feeling worried, anxious or low in mood? Free programmes available in North West London Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Kensington & Chelsea, Westminster.
NHS psychological therapies service
Free talking therapies are available from the NHS in your local area to help with your emotional wellbeing and coping with Hypertension.
Improving Access to Psychological Therapies
It’s good to talk, it's free, and it's confidential
‘Improving Access to Psychological Therapies’ (IAPT) services are part of a national NHS programme and thousands of people in North West London have already accessed this free service.
People can be seen individually or in groups in locations close to your home, or even online. This is a free and confidential service, offering a range of therapies.
Programme inclusion criteria: 18 years or older for people with or without Hypertension
Living with a long-term condition like Hypertension can bring many ups and downs, and may be difficult or overwhelming. Life stresses and other health issues may also affect your Hypertension.
Talking therapies can help you to manage feelings of stress, worry or sadness, and can help you to manage your Hypertension better.
There are eight IAPT services across North West London, one for each borough. They see people aged 18 upwards who are not already being seen by other mental health services.
Is IAPT right for me?
Our IAPT services offer talking therapies tailored specifically for people with long term conditions. This may include online courses, with a therapist who has received additional training in working with people with a long-term health condition.
We also offer guided self-help for particular difficulties like low mood, worry or panic attacks, and one to one Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) or counselling for difficulties like post-traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety or for support with bereavement.
Talking therapies - get help with IAPT Video
How do I access this service?
Your GP or other health professional can refer you or you can refer yourself via this page. Some of the main problems that IAPT services work with are low mood, worry, panic, social anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
You will most likely be offered an initial assessment appointment over the telephone to find out more about your difficulties and needs.
Following this you will be offered the most appropriate service for you.
Kensington & Chelsea Talking Therapies
Hammersmith & Fulham IAPT ('Back on Track')
Brent - Parks, leisure and healthy living
Harrow - Free weight management programme
Harrow - Harrow Leisure Centre
Hillingdon - Parks, leisure and events
If your blood pressure is considered to be high or very high, your doctor will offer you medicines to help lower your blood pressure. It's important to know that you're not alone.
It’s important to find support from the people around you and healthcare professionals. Make sure you check your blood pressure and keep a diary of your readings regularly, so you can see your progress.
Please contact your GP/nurse for further information and support.
