Blood Pressure: Blood pressure is the force of blood being applied to the artery walls every time the heart contracts. There is variation in blood pressure from person to person and in individuals depending on what they are doing, how they feel and also the time of day. Factors such as age and gender varies average values of blood pressure. High blood pressure (hypertension) is often referred to as the silent killer. Although some people suffer from dizziness, headaches and vision problems, most don´t feel any symptoms at all. If left untreated, it can lead to stroke, heart attack and kidney damage. The cause isn´t always known, however not getting enough exercise, drinking too much alcohol, being overweight, eating an unhealthy diet and a family history of high blood pressure can all play a part. For some people, high blood pressure is a symptom of an underlying problem, which is referred to as secondary hypertension. If left untreated, high blood pressure can damage the blood vessels, hardening and scarring the arteries as fat, cholesterol and other substances build up. This is referred to as atherosclerosis and overtime; the arteries narrow and restrict the blood flow to major organs like the heart, brain, eyes and kidneys. Atherosclerosis may lead to a blood clot in a narrowed artery, which blocks blood supply. The first sign of high blood pressure affecting the heart is the thickening of the heart muscle, so it struggles to pump blood into the circulatory system through narrowing arteries. Overtime, high blood pressure further narrows the arteries cutting off blood to the heart. When the arteries become critically narrow or if a piece of the blockage breaks off it can cause a heart attack. High blood pressure is also a major cause of kidney failure as damaged blood vessels in the kidney affect its ability to clean blood. In the eyes, high blood pressure can affect the tiny arteries of the retina, leading to bleeding and blockage, which can result in blurred or lost vision. When arteries harden in the brain, it can cause a stroke that damages brain tissue. Some arteries may rupture causing bleeding or haemorrage, which can result in slurred speech, paralysis and loss of consciousness. By increasing exercise, reducing alcohol and eating a healthy diet that is low in salt, high blood pressure can be lowered and prevented. When lifestyle changes alone fail to lower blood pressure, medication is used. When measured, blood pressure is defined by two readings: Systolic pressure – the higher of the two readings – represents the force of blood as the heart beats to pump it around the body. Diastolic pressure – the lower of the two - is when the heart is relaxed and filling with blood in preparation for the next beat.

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