A brand-new study has revealed that significant blood pressure variations over time are a major predictor of heart attack and stroke – more so than consistently high blood pressure.
That’s according to the ASCOT Study which was carried out by researchers at the Imperial College London and published in the European Heart Journal.
The study looked at more than 8,000 UK patients with high blood pressure variations who were monitored for over 20 years. Throughout that time, the researchers looked at the variability of the readings and found that those whose blood pressure tended to swing were more at risk of cardiovascular events.
This was true of all patients, whether their blood pressure was low, medium or high, indicating variability is just as important as the actual readings. The team is now urging the General Medical Council to update its guidelines to focus on the variability between visits rather than just the readings.
Professor Peter Sever, from the National Heart & Lung Institute at Imperial College London, who was the senior author of the study, said: “We’ve long known that high blood pressure increases the risk of heart attacks and stroke, but our latest findings highlight the importance of tracking variability in blood pressure over time as well.
“While a degree of this was known to doctors, without clinical trials it has been difficult to quantify the risk of blood pressure variations over the long term, or the impact of interventions such as calcium blockers to reduce patients’ risk.”
High Blood Pressure Risks
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a serious health condition that poses significant risks if untreated. Many refer to high blood pressure as the “silent killer” because in many cases it goes unnoticed due to a lack of symptoms.
If left untreated, hypertension can lead to severe complications such as heart disease, stroke and kidney damage with millions of people worldwide losing their lives each year. This made high blood pressure one of the leading risk factors for cardiovascular illness.
However, with this latest study showing that even those with normal blood pressure had more chance of heart attack and stroke when variation occurred, a clearer picture is now emerging.
Professor Sever believes these findings necessitate the review of how blood pressure is monitored: “We urgently need to explore new practical ways to assess blood pressure variability and are currently studying the possibilities of incorporating data from home blood pressure monitoring into clinical decision-making.
“The low cost and wide availability of digital blood pressure monitors and health apps means people can readily track their blood pressure over time and this could provide invaluable data for doctors to make the best treatment decisions – though we’d urge patients not to be overly concerned, as we would expect a degree of variation in their readings over time.
“Crucially, we need international guidelines for clinicians to be updated to reflect these latest findings and to include blood pressure variability as a major risk factor for heart attack and stroke.”
This revelation highlights the need for regular checks, as well as some careful monitoring of the variation between visits, especially among those who are deemed to be at risk of high blood pressure.
Who Should Get Blood Pressure Tested?
According to NHS guidelines, healthy adults over the age of 40 should get their blood pressure checked at least once every five years.
Those with certain medical conditions or risk factors should get their checked out more regularly. These risk factors include the following:
Family History
If there’s a family history of high blood pressure, you may be genetically predisposed to the condition. So regular checks are recommended.
Obesity
Being overweight or obese significantly increases your blood pressure so if you’re carrying some extra weight then you should keep a close eye on yours.
Unhealthy Diet
If you’re consuming a diet that’s high in sodium (salt), processed foods and saturated fats then you’ll be more at risk of high blood pressure.
Lack of Physical Activity
Those who don’t get enough physical activity are at a higher risk of health complications, one of those being high blood pressure.
Smoking
Smoking can significantly raise your blood pressure by constricting blood vessels and increasing your heart rate.
Excessive Alcohol Use
Much like smoking, excessive alcohol consumption also causes your blood vessels to constrict and increases your risk of high blood pressure.
Individuals with Chronic Conditions
If you have certain chronic health conditions like diabetes, kidney disease or heart disease then you’re immediately at a higher risk of hypertension. Therefore, regular blood pressure checks are vital for effectively managing these conditions.
Pregnant Women
Pregnancy can affect blood pressure and some women can develop gestational hypertension or preeclampsia during their pregnancy. This is why blood pressure monitoring is routine during prenatal care.
Older Adults
The risk of developing high blood pressure increases with age. Therefore, older adults in the UK should have regular blood pressure checks to keep tabs on their cardiovascular health.
For those who would like their blood pressure checked, we offer the service in-house at our pharmacies. Blood pressure tests are quick and painless, with most checkup appointments taking only 15 minutes or so to complete.
To ensure peace of mind, our trained and qualified staff will be on hand to answer any questions you have during your appointment.
At Newdays Pharmacy, we offer a range of private and NHS services. So if you’re looking to get a blood pressure check in your local pharmacy then speak to us today!