It’s estimated that six in every 10 adults over the age of 50 suffer from hypertension (high blood pressure). If left untreated, hypertension can be a major risk factor for life-threatening conditions such as stroke and heart failure. Worryingly, many people with hypertension don’t know they have it. The only way to know whether you have hypertension is to get your blood pressure checked.

MyBP.ie is a new website designed specifically for people diagnosed with hypertension and it offers expert advice and tips. May is blood pressure measurement month and we spoke to myBP.ie experts Liam Glynn, Professor of General Practice at the University of Limerick and Consultant Dietician Paula Mee to learn more about hypertension and living with the condition.

Q AND A WITH LIAM GLYNN, PROFESSOR OF GENERAL PRACTICE, UNIVERISTY OF LIMERICK

What is hypertension?

“Hypertension is just another name for high blood pressure. Blood pressure is determined both by the amount of blood your heart pumps around the body and the amount of resistance to this blood flow in your arteries. The more blood your heart pumps and the narrower your arteries, the higher your blood pressure.”

What are the signs and symptoms of hypertension?

“Often there are no symptoms until a catastrophic event such as a stroke or heart attack occurs and this is why a third of people with high blood pressure don’t know they have it. A third are diagnosed but are not properly controlled. This is why if you have been diagnosed it is so important to follow your doctor’s advice both from a medication point of view and from a lifestyle change perspective.”

Is there anyone at risk of developing hypertension?

“Yes. Those with a family history and those who are overweight, have a sedentary lifestyle or eat a lot of salt. If you have any concerns that you might be at risk you should visit your GP and a simple exam [A blood pressure test] will help to confirm if you have high blood pressure without knowing it.”

If you are diagnosed, are there any lifestyle changes you can make to help manage your condition?

“Yes, improving your diet and becoming more active will help, in addition to reducing stress levels. [These] can all impact your blood pressure and this is where a site like myBP.ie can be a good guide. However, the most important thing is to take your medication every day if you are prescribed medication as this will help reduce your risk of suffering any of the events associated with hypertension.”

Q AND A WITH CONSULTANT DIETICIAN PAULA MEE

How effective are dietary changes when it comes to hypertension?

“Dietary changes need to be for life. The evidence-based diet called DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) can help treat high blood pressure. If you are overweight and feel you have many changes to make, it’s best to seek the help of a dietician or practice nurse who can help you tailor an approach and monitor your progress over time. Your plan will involve reducing salt and sodium in your diet. You may have to consider cutting back on alcohol and caffeine too, depending on your intake. Your tailored plan will also encourage a variety of foods rich in nutrients that help lower blood pressure, such as potassium, calcium and magnesium.”

If you have hypertension, what dietary changes should you make?

“Whole grains (not refined carbohydrates) are included depending on how active you are. Plenty of fruits and vegetables and a moderate intake of low-fat dairy products are advised. The diet includes fish, poultry and legumes, and encourages a small amount of nuts and seeds a few times a week. Red meat, fried foods, sweets and treats are restricted. Ideally find a healthy and comfortable weight for your height. Losing even some fat from around the middle can have significant health benefits. You will be better able to manage your blood cholesterol and blood glucose levels as well as your blood pressure.”

Changing your diet can be hard – do you have any top tips for people?

“The best way to keep your weight down is to make small changes to your eating habits and to your activity levels that you can keep for life. Really this is more about changing your lifestyle than ‘going on a short-term diet’. The easiest way to lose weight is by changing what you eat to consume fewer calories. This is because while it is very easy to consume calories, it takes a lot of effort to burn the same number through exercise. Eating too many hyper-palatable foods full of added sugar and unhealthy fats can lead to weight gain and make it harder to lose weight. By making healthier choices you won’t necessarily need to eat less and some simple swaps can make a real difference. Just losing five per cent to ten per cent of your overall weight will already have great benefits, reducing your risk of having a heart attack or a stroke.”

For more expert information about managing hypertension log on to www.mybp.ie