Healthy Heart
In the past decade, a large number of blood pressure-lowering drugs have been developed. The perfect tablet should be completely effective, simple to take and entirely free of adverse effects. Modern drugs have not quite attained this ideal but represent a considerable advance on the earlier preparations available in were unpleasant to take. the 1950’s … Read more
Physical exercise takes one of two forms: dynamic exercise such as running or cycling and isometric exercise such as heavy lifting or sustained handgrip. Carrying a heavy suitcase is a typical example of isometric exercise. Most blood pressure-lowering drugs are ineffective in preventing the rise of blood pressure during isometric exercise. Dynamic exercise is safe … Read more
Anxiety and vigorous mental or physical effort can raise blood pressure to quite a major degree. Although at first sight this might seem dangerous yet it is a normal response of the circulation. “fight or flight” which probably helped our forebears to survive. Healthy blood vessels can cope with such changes in pressure without any … Read more
Although high blood pressure does not usually have a single cause there are some factors which can play an important role. Diet is one of these. High bloodHigh blood pressure is particularly common in people . … Read more
From research over the last 30 years it is evident that blood pressure-lowering drugs are effective in preventing strokes, heart failure and kidney failure due to high blood pressure. In the small proportion of patients with very high pressures and symptoms of headache, blurring of vision and breathlessness, treatment produces rapid relief of symptoms. However, … Read more
High blood pressure can be effectively treated. It is important, however for patients to be examined by a doctor before treatment is begun. On occasions, this may reveal a cause for high blood pressure or suggest special tests to find such a cause. More important it helps to detect any harmful results of high blood … Read more
It has been known for many years that people with untreated high blood pressures have a greater than normal risk of developing strokes, heart and kidney disease, with a consequent reduction in life expectancy. This was first observed by life assurance companies from follow-up studies of people who had their blood pressure measured during medical … Read more
Contrary to popular belief, most patients with high blood pressure have no symptoms. Occasionally patients have symptoms such as headache, but only if the pressure is very high. Symptoms like headache are far more likely to be due to other causes such as anxiety. When patients attending a hypertension clinic, some years ago, were asked … Read more
Some oral contraceptives (“the pill”) increase blood pressure in a small proportion of women. For this reason, measurements of blood pressure I should be made at regular intervals. Although some contraceptive tablets have little influence on pressure, it is usually preferable for patients with high blood pressure to practise other methods of birth control. Advice … Read more
In over nine patients out of ten with high blood pressure no underlying disease can be found. The term “essential hypertension” is sometimes used in this case. This absence of a cause is not as surprising as might appear at first sight. Blood pressure, like height or weight, is the result of many influences. Just … Read more