Hypertension

According to the Portuguese Cardiology Foundation, there are more than two million people with high blood pressure in Portugal, but only 50% of them know they have this condition.

Blood pressure is the force with which blood is pumped through the body via the arteries.

There are two ways to measure blood pressure:

• Systolic or “maximum” is the highest value and corresponds to the time when the heart is pumping blood.

• Diastolic or “minimum” is the time when the heart is relaxed.

According to the Portuguese Cardiology Foundation, there are more than two million people with high blood pressure in Portugal, only 50% of whom know they have this condition, only 25% are on medication, and only 11% have their blood pressure under control.

Generally, hypertension has no associated symptoms and is strongly linked to cardiovascular disease, so it is important to measure your blood pressure regularly.

For a successful blood pressure measurement, the Portuguese Cardiology Foundation recommends:

• choosing a quiet place with a comfortable temperature;

• not consuming coffee, alcohol, or tobacco for 30 minutes before the test;

• relaxing for 15 minutes beforehand;

• avoiding tight clothing;

• taking the measurement on your arm, as it is more reliable than your wrist;

• Your arm should be supported and at heart level.

Various heart associations recommend adopting preventive strategies for the development of high blood pressure, namely:

• reduce salt intake, not only by reducing the amount of salt used in cooking, but also by reducing consumption of delicatessen products and mature cheeses;

• follow a balanced diet: eat plenty of fruit, vegetables, and foods rich in fiber and potassium;

• moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages;

• regular physical exercise;

• quitting smoking;

• reducing or controlling your weight if you are overweight.