Each year since 2005, May 17th is dedicated to World Hypertension Day, which is designed to promote public awareness of high blood pressure and the part it plays in cardiovascular disease. In support of May Measurement Month, which encourages people to get their blood pressure checked with the aim of saving lives, Welcome Gym health clubs are offering free blood pressure tests between Monday 13th and Sunday 19th May 2019**. Ask at your gym’s Reception desk for details and to book a test.

Hypertension (i.e. high blood pressure) increases your risk of stroke by four times and doubles the likelihood of suffering a heart attack. Blood pressure is simply the physical pressure of blood in the blood vessels; it is similar to the concept of air pressure in a car tyre and the pressure varies with the heartbeat. Blood pressure is recorded with 2 numbers. The systolic pressure (higher number) is the force at which your heart pumps blood around your body. The diastolic pressure (lower number) is the resistance to the blood flow in the blood vessels. They're both measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg).



As a general guide:
• High blood pressure is considered to be 140/90mmHg or higher
• Ideal blood pressure is considered to be between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg

According to the World Health Organisation, abnormally high blood pressure is an increasingly serious global health issue, as developing economies adopt a western lifestyle. Some of the factors that lead to high blood pressure include:-

• Physical inactivity

• Obesity

• Diabetes

• A diet rich in highly processed and fatty foods

• Alcohol and tobacco use

• Too much salt in the diet

• Genetic factors and a family history of cardiovascular disease

• Advancing age

If it’s detected in time, high blood pressure can be treated with appropriate drugs, if deemed necessary, and lifestyle changes such as:-

1. Taking regular exercise
2. Weight reduction if you are overweight
3. Eating more polyunsaturated fat
4. Reducing salt in the diet
5. Stopping smoking
6. Drinking alcohol only in moderation

Of course, you should consult your GP if you are at all worried or think you may be at risk. If you would like to learn more about hypertension and the importance of trying to keep your blood pressure within normal limits, these are some reputable sites to explore: -

The NHS - https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/high-blood-pressure-hypertension/

The British Heart Foundation - https://www.bhf.org.uk/

The International Society of Hypertension - http://ish-world.com/index.htm

You might also like to read this article from Medical News Today - https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/159283.php

N.B. **These tests will be conducted by our fitness instructors and personal trainers before exercise and are for general guidance only; they're really designed for those who don't have a blood pressure monitor at home or who haven't had their blood pressure checked for a while. Participants should be aware that results can be affected by numerous factors, including - but not exclusively - exercise, eating, your emotional state, talking, smoking, alcohol, caffeine, temperature, the time of day/year and a full bladder. If you're at all concerned about the results, it is imperative that you consult your doctor and get a further test under medical supervision.