High blood pressure risk could be lowered by making some diet or lifestyle changes. Drinking water is an easy way to lower the chances of hypertension symptoms, but how many glasses should you have every day?
High blood pressure affects more than 25 per cent of all adults in the world.
The condition, which is also known as hypertension, puts extra pressure on blood vessels and vital organs, including the heart and lungs.
But making some small changes to your lifestyle could help to prevent high blood pressure symptoms.
Drinking water every day is an easy way to avoid the deadly condition – but how much should you be drinking?
Water is a crucial aspect of transporting blood around the body, as well as aiding digestion, absorption and delivering nutrients.
Without enough water, blood vessels can become narrower as the body tries to retain its fluids.
Constricted blood vessels make the heart work harder to deliver oxygen to different parts of the body, which increases blood pressure.
But, avoiding dehydration could lower the risk of high blood pressure, said medical website Vive Health.
Drink eight glasses of water each day to avoid hypertension. Alternatively, drink at least five bottles of 500ml water.
When exercising, it’s important to increase the amount of water you drink, it added.
“Water is such a simple drink, yet it is complex enough to treat a great list of ailments, “ said Vive Health.
“While it might not instantly lower blood pressure, it does help to decrease blood pressure.
“Chronic dehydration reduces the body’s ability to transport blood efficiently, forcing blood vessels to constrict in an effort to conserve water usually lost through everyday functions like sweating and urination.
“The constricted blood vessels taxes your body’s ability to pump blood effectively, which results in elevated blood pressure.Aim for eight to 10 8oz cups of water a day. Remember to increase intake when you exercise.”
Meanwhile, eating dark chocolate could also help to lower your risk of high blood pressure, it’s been revealed.
The snack contains antioxidants, known as flavanols, that widen blood vessels and slows blood flow.
The only way of knowing if you have high blood pressure is to get it checked.
All UK adults over 40 years old should check their blood pressure at least every five years.
Speak to a GP or pharmacist to reveal your chances of developing hypertension.
According to Dr Harper, contrary to popular belief, most people with high blood pressure don’t develop headaches or visual problems.
She said: “The vast majority feel completely well, so I am a huge believer that everyone over the age of 40 should know their blood pressure (younger if there is a family history of high blood pressure or if you have any of the risk factors named below).”
High blood pressure is usually essential (or primary) hypertension, explained Dr Harper, and there is no one specific cause.
She added: “But we do know there are several risk factors that make it more likely that an individual will develop the condition.
“These include type 1 and 2 diabetes, being overweight, high dietary salt intake, inactivity, excess alcohol consumption, stress, having a close relative with high blood pressure, and being of Afro-Caribbean or Asian origin.”
Secondary hypertension is where the individual develops high blood pressure as a result of another medical condition such as kidney disease or hormonal problems, and it can also be caused as a side effect of some medications.
All adults over 40 are advised to have theirs checked at least every five years, and this can be done at your GP surgery, at some pharmacies, as part of your NHS Health Check and in some workplaces.
You can also check your blood pressure yourself with a blood pressure monitor at home. The chart below can tell you what your reading says about your blood pressure.