Hypertension or high blood pressure is a common concern at the moment which isn't surprising when you consider that the numbers suffering from the condition is on the up. High blood pressure affects in the region of 16 million known sufferers in the UK , which equates to one in three of the adult population.

High blood pressure often causes no obvious symptoms, or immediate problems, but it is a major risk factor for developing a serious cardiovascular disease (conditions that can affect the circulation of blood around the body), such as a stroke, heart disease or kidney disease. In 95% of cases, there is no single identifiable reason for a raise in blood pressure . However, all available evidence shows that your lifestyle plays a significant role in regulating your blood pressure .

Lifestyle changes can go a long way towards preventing and lowering high blood pressure and these recommended changes also go a million miles towards helping the prevention or treatment of other cardiovascular diseases and conditions. The same risk-factor offenders pop up time and time again and they are no exception for high blood pressure ; lack of exercise, high alcohol consumption, smoking, unhealthy diet and obesity.

By doing just a little bit of exercise, your blood pressure can be lowered. Activities that help your heart and blood vessels are best, and aerobic activity is the type that helps your heart the most. Cycling, swimming, walking briskly and jogging are all suitable activities and these forms of cardiovascular exercise will also help towards weight-loss goals as they are the most effective in burning excess fat and calories.

Not drinking alcohol in excess and following the recommended consumption guidelines is recommended for all and the benefits of stopping smoking are obvious. Stopping smoking could be the single most important thing that smokers could ever do to help increase their health and prevent serious disease. Stopping smoking may also be the single most difficult thing a smoker could ever do, but there are lots of smoking cessation aids available to help during the difficult process such as nicotine patches , nicotine replacement gum , and other methods such as hypnosis and acupuncture are becoming popular.

Eating more carefully plays another massive part in maintaining a healthy body and in lowering blood pressure . It's important to aim towards achieving your five a day and even if you don't manage all five, something is always better than nothing. For instance making small changes such as swapping your baked beans for a portion of sweet corn and swapping chips for potatoes all help. Salt intake is a major issue where blood pressure is concerned, too much salt is bad for you anyway but it has a direct effect on blood pressure levels. Adults should be taking in a maximum of 6g of salt per day but the majority takes in around 12g if not more. As with many other nasties, salt is hidden in many unexpected places which is why it is beneficial to read food labeling and packaging when shopping. Dietary supplements may also help to reduce high blood pressure and garlic and potassium are believed to be particularly effective.

Controlling and monitoring high blood pressure can be assisted by owning a personal blood pressure monitor . Whilst blood pressure is measured during doctor's visits, it is often beneficial to monitor blood pressure in between appointments to give a more consistent and accurate reading. Home monitoring of blood pressure can help sufferers stick to their lifestyle changes by providing a visual reminder of their condition and give visual progress indicators.

Buying a blood pressure monitor can be very confusing for the individual as these pieces of kit that were once only used by professionals, come with supported by all sorts of numbers and technical terminology. The best advice to follow is that of the British Hypertension Society . The BHS have conducted studies on the leading blood pressure monitors and have compiled a recommendation list based upon the research findings of each.

BHS approved blood pressure monitors can be purchased online from First Aid Warehouse , the UK 's premier supplier of medical and first aid equipment and accessories. First Aid Warehouse also stock a range of items to assist with exercise and weight loss goals such as step counters and body fat monitors , and there is also a very comprehensive range of vitamins, minerals, health supplements and smoking cessation products.

First Aid Warehouse specialises in the supply of first aid and diagnostic equipment to both the public and trade. Ordering online is easy and safe and purchases will be delivered directly to your door.

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This Article is brought to you by First Aid Warehouse, UK's premier supplier of the Omron M7 Blood Pressure Monitor