Know Your Numbers Week!

Do you know your numbers?

Around a third of a million people in the UK suffer from a blood problem when it comes to pressure, which can be a killer. So, you think we have a pandemic – at least the worry is obvious, but abnormalities in your blood pressure is not. In the US, the situation is even worse, with dietary and glucose control being the main factors. 

There are 2 types of blood pressure, high and low. High certainly isn’t always discernible, but at least you potentially have several symptoms if you are suffering from low BP. 

As with everything medical they are given two different names: 

• Hypertension  (high) 

• Hypotension (low) 

Both of these have technical names in the medical world, and your blood pressure is taken reading both: 

• Systolic – the higher reading, measured in mmHg. 
• Diastolic – the lower reading, measured also in mmHg. 

The abbreviation of mmHg in both readings means millimetres of mercury in your blood, so a relatively healthy adult should have a blood pressure reading of 120/80 mmHg. 

You are considered to have high blood pressure if your reading is 140/90 mmHg or higher, and low BP if your reading is 90/60mmHg or lower. Either condition should be looked at for further illness complications. 

How to get your blood pressure measured

During ‘Know Your Numbers Week’, temporary teams of doctors, nurses and those considered to be ‘Blood Pressure Partners’ or ‘Ambassadors’ team up to give the general public the opportunity of getting their BP measured at schools, colleges, sports centres, pharmacists, care centres, gyms, local authority buildings and others.

 If you are unable to use your regular GP, this is an ideal way to find out about blood pressure and get advice.

Using this opportunity, even if you have never done so before, or if you have ‘white coat syndrome’ (fear of your doctors), most people find this option more than helpful often having a BP reading for the first time.

Here you will be able to get a reading, advice about blood monitoring machines and other sound information from those qualified to do so. You can also get your weight checked, as this can be a vital factor if you are maybe obese or overweight, often a reason for high blood pressure. Information may be in your local newspaper or on social media sites, but it is well publicised. 

High blood pressure is known to be one of the factors, in early death or strokes, so something so small that takes only 10 minutes of your time is very important. Once you have done it once, it will become second nature. 

Blood pressure problems can occur at any time of your life, particularly in those over 50 years old. 

Other causes may be: 

• Excess alcohol. 
• Smoking. 
• Lifestyle. 
• Unhealthy or poor diet. 

If you are admitted to hospital at any time, the first thing that will be done is to check your BP. Why wait until something happens to you? 

Know your numbers campaign

‘Know Your Numbers’ week is set up between the NHS and the Blood Pressure UK organisation. Each year, they will choose a promotion on a specific factor relating to BP.

This year their aims are obviously to increase awareness amongst our particular nation, but also to promote the importance of regular checks, particularly by home monitors (these are machines that you can buy).

As a company, we never promote any medical equipment or treatment, but your GP surgery may be happy to advise you, or your local pharmacist.

The best way, however, is to coordinate with a friend who suffers, or take the opportunity of consulting your Ambassador or Blood Pressure Partners, all of whom will be of great use to you in discovering more about all aspects of keeping your BP under control.