Often referred to as the ‘silent killer,’ high blood pressure does not often display any clear symptoms. It is has been suggested that 30% of people in the UK suffer with high blood pressure and they are unaware of it. The effects of high blood pressure are an increased risk of a stroke or heart attack, if not treated. It is important that all adults have their blood pressure measured at least once every five years.

High Blood Pressure – What is it?
Blood pressure measures the strength at which your blood presses against the walls of your arteries whilst it is pumped by your heart, around your body. If the pressure is high, a strain is put on your heart and arteries resulting in a higher chance of you suffering from a stroke or a heart attack.
A blood pressure reading of 130/80 is deemed as normal.
If your blood pressure reads as 140/90 on more than one occasion, then you are regarded as having high blood pressure.

Those at Most Risk:
As you age, the chance of developing high blood pressure increases. Other risk factors include:
• Eating too much salt
• Aged 65 or over
• Not exercising
• Are overweight
• Drink a lot of alcohol
• Drink a lot of caffeine
• Do not eat enough fruit or vegetables.
If you fall under any of these categories, you should actively look at changing your lifestyle and having your blood pressure checked at least once a year

Prevention & Treatment:
Prevent blood pressure by:
o Eat healthy
o Stop smoking
o Reduce alcohol intake
o Reduce salt and caffeine intake
o Lose weigh if necessary
o Exercise often

We hear so many things about how to lose weight that it has become impossible to decipher the truth from the myths. Let us make it clear for you:

• Drink water to lose weight:
Water keeps you well hydrated and does not cause weight loss. It is often the case that we are thirsty and not hungry, as this is the case we often snack unnecessarily and all we actually need us a drink.

• For long term weight loss, slimming pills will work:
Slimming pills will not keep work at keeping weight off long term and should only be used if prescribed by a doctor.

• If you starve yourself you will lose weight:
For long term weight loss, crash diets are not likely to work and in some instances will actually cause weight gain in the long term. The biggest issue with crash diets are that they are hard to stick to and you will feel less energetic and crave foods that are high in sugar and fat. Consequently, you will give in and eat these foods and end up eating more calories than necessary, resulting in weight gain.

• If you stop eating snacks you will lose weight:
Snacks are not an issue when trying to lose weight; it is the kind of snack that needs to be taken into account. Opt for vegetables and fruit rather than chocolates and crisps which are high in both saturated fat and sugar.

• You can lose weight by skipping meals:
Reducing the amount of calories you eat is the best way to lose weight and keep it off and not by skipping meals. Poor nutrition and tiredness will kick in if you decide to skip meals. Equally, you will end up snacking on high in sugar and fat foods which will end up resulting in weight gain.