This week is Know Your Numbers week, get your blood pressure checked
High blood pressure increases your risk of many health conditions
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a common condition in which the force of blood against the walls of your arteries is too high. This can damage your arteries over time and increase your risk of serious health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and eye problems.
The risks of high blood pressure increase as the blood pressure gets higher. Even mild high blood pressure can increase your risk of health problems.
There are differences in how high blood pressure affects each gender. For example, men are more likely to have high blood pressure at a younger age. Women are more likely to develop high blood pressure during and after menopause.
High blood pressure can also affect your sexual health
Sexual health - Men
Erectile dysfunction is a common problem in older men. It is estimated that about 40% of men over the age of 40 experience it. Erectile dysfunction is caused by a number of factors, including high blood pressure.
High blood pressure can damage the blood vessels that supply blood to the penis, making it difficult to get an erection. This is because the penis needs a good blood flow to become erect. When the blood vessels are narrowed by high blood pressure, it can be difficult for enough blood to flow into the penis.
Lifestyle changes such as losing weight, quitting smoking, and exercising can help lower blood pressure, in turn helping reduce dysfunction.
Sexual health – Women
High blood pressure also known as hypertension, is a common condition that can affect post-menopausal women. High blood pressure can reduce blood flow to the vagina, which can lead to vaginal dryness. Vaginal dryness can make sex uncomfortable or painful. High blood pressure can also lead to erectile dysfunction in male partners. This is because high blood pressure can damage the blood vessels that supply blood to the penis, making it difficult to get and maintain an erection.
High blood pressure can be prevented and treated
The good news is that high blood pressure is preventable and treatable. For both, knowing your numbers is the first critical step.
For prevention, the advice is straightforward and familiar. Reduce your salt and sugar intake. Eat more fruits and vegetables and less highly processed food – especially junk food. Avoid tobacco and alcohol. Keep fit, active and maintain a healthy BMI. For many people, these lifestyle changes are sufficient to control blood pressure. Hypertension can also be treated with safe and well tolerated medications.
Left untreated, this invisible, silent killer can steal years of your life away.