High blood pressure, or hypertension, is much more common than you may think. It’s estimated that around 40% of adults in the United KingdomUK and approximately a third of adults in the USA have hypertension.

Blood pressure is defined as the pressure which is exerted upon the walls of the arteries as blood passes through them. It is measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg) and is usually represented by two numbers.

Systolic pressure is the pressure which is recorded whilst the heart beats and blood is being pushed around the body. This is usually the first number noted and is the higher of the two numbers.

Diastolic pressure is the pressure measured when the heart is resting between beats. This is the second number and is the smaller of the two values.

So when a doctor or nurse advises you that your blood pressure is “120 over 80”, or you see 120/80 mmHg written in your medical report, it means that your systolic pressure is 120 millimetres of mercury and your diastolic pressure is 80 millimetres of mercury.

High blood pressure is normally defined as having a sustained blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg or higher – although this definition can vary in some countries.

Often there are no signs of high blood pressure and it can go undetected. It is frequently noticed during routine medical examination or as a result of testing due to some other ailment. It is a significant risk factor in the onset of cardiovascular disease – conditions which may impact upon the circulation of blood around the body, e.g. stroke, heart disease etc.

If you have hypertension, your heart needs to work harder to force the blood around your body. Over time this additional strain can damage your heart. The additional pressure can also damage the walls of the arteries, which may cause a blockage or cause the artery to split – a haemorrhage. Either of these conditions may result in a stroke.

There is no single identifiable cause for raised blood pressure in 95% of cases. However, the available evidence shows that, in addition to age, lifestyle factors play a crucial role in determining your blood pressure. Excessive alcohol consumption, bad diet, lack of exercise, smoking and obesity are just some of the identified risk factors.

Obviously medication exists which can help reduce your blood pressure – but, as with any medication there might be side effects and there will always be some unfortunate patients who do not respond to drugs. Changes to your lifestyle, like eating a healthier diet, taking regular exercise, lowering your alcohol intake, quitting smoking and losing a little weight can be very effective in lowering your blood pressure.

Many people might also find meditation, self hypnosis and other relaxation exercises to be of benefit. In addition to these more conventional methods, recent clinical evidence shows that paced breathing, guided by electronically controlled cues triggered by bio feedback can rapidly yield sustainable reductions in blood pressure levels. FDA approved devices such as resperate are now widely available to hypertension sufferers and offer an effective drug free treatment.

In summary, hypertension is more common than you may realise and, due to its lack of visible symptoms, you should have your blood pressure measured by a medical professional on a regular basis.

If you do find that you have high blood pressure then you will be able to improve the situation by making some relatively simple lifestyle changes. Even if you are prescribed medication then the lifestyle modifications will be effective and many will have other health benefits as well.

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