Life doesn’t come with a crystal ball. But getting a blood pressure check can be a window into your risk of developing heart disease and stroke – 2 of the leading causes of death of women in Australia. Thankfully, getting a check is as simple as rolling up your sleeve.
Associate Professor Sarah Zaman, a women’s heart health specialist (cardiologist), says women need to know that they are much more likely to die of cardiovascular disease than breast cancer.
Cardiovascular disease is a term that includes heart disease, stroke and blood vessel disease.
“High blood pressure is the number one risk factor for women [developing cardiovascular disease],” she says. “Getting it monitored and controlled will go a long way in preventing heart attacks and strokes.”
Most women with high blood pressure will not be aware they have it. This is what makes getting regular checks so important. “It’s a silent killer in that there are usually no symptoms,” explains Associate Professor Zaman, Academic Interventional Cardiologist at the University of Sydney, and Westmead Hospital.
“You can’t feel blood pressure [if it’s normal or high]. But when it is extremely high, you may experience headaches, fainting or stroke.”
Each time your heart beats, it pumps blood into your arteries, delivering what’s needed to keep your organs and muscles working.
Blood pressure is the measure of how hard your body must work to pump blood around your body. The higher your blood pressure, the harder your heart is pushing.
Blood pressure is recorded as 2 numbers, such as 120/80.
Both numbers are important, says Dr Tessa King, a GP at the Jean Hailes Clinics. “An ideal reading would be 120/80,” she explains.
Blood pressure is considered high if the reading is 140/90 or above.
A reading of 130/85 or above is considered early stage high blood pressure or what’s known as ‘high-normal’.
High blood pressure is also called ‘hypertension’.
Dr King says several factors contribute to high blood pressure. They include being overweight, postmenopausal, not exercising, drinking too much, eating too much salt or having a family history of high blood pressure.
Women who had high blood pressure during pregnancy have an 8 to 10-fold higher risk of developing high blood pressure during their lifetime, says Associate Professor Zaman.
As you grow older, you are at greater risk of high blood pressure because your arteries become stiffer. Your risk of heart disease also increases after menopause so blood pressure checks become particularly important at this life stage and beyond.
Your doctor can include a blood pressure check during a routine appointment. It can also be done at your local pharmacy (bookings may be required and fees may apply).
Dr King says it’s best to sit and relax for 5 minutes before the check.
From the age of 18, blood pressure checks are recommended at least every 2 years.
You can also get your blood pressure checked regularly as part of a heart health check, which is available from age:
More frequent checks are needed if you have had high blood pressure in the past or have risk factors like diabetes, are overweight or postmenopausal, or if you smoke or have a family history of high blood pressure.
Women who have had gestational diabetes or high blood pressure during pregnancy are recommended to have more frequent checks too – usually every 6 to 12 months – for the rest of their lives.
Remember, everyone’s risk is different, so speak to your doctor about what’s right for you.
Associate Professor Zaman urges all women to become familiar with their blood pressure readings.
If you have high blood pressure, it’s important to take action and get it controlled. Your doctor may prescribe medication and suggest healthy lifestyle changes such as getting more exercise, drinking less alcohol and losing weight.
Following a heart-healthy eating pattern or the DASH diet may be helpful, alongside eating good sources of healthy fats (such as nuts, seeds, avocados, olive oil) and using salt replacements, says Associate Professor Zaman. “[If you smoke,] you also need to stop smoking,” she adds. “It’s a big driver of high blood pressure.”
So if you’re due for your next blood pressure check or heart health check, what are you waiting for? Women’s Health Week is the perfect time to focus on these lifesaving health checks. It really is as simple as rolling up your sleeve.
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