Cardiologist reveals 'worst thing' you can do if you have high blood pressure

High blood pressure - also known as hypertension - leaves your heart working harder than it should. It increase the risk of numerous health conditions including heart attacks and strokes

High blood pressure means your blood pressure is consistently too high, forcing your heart to work harder than it should.

According to Blood Pressure UK, around one in three adults in the UK suffer from this condition. Cardiologist Dr Ernst von Schwarz, author of The Secrets of Immortality, warned in an interview with Parade: "The worst thing someone can do if they have high blood pressure is not take high blood pressure seriously enough."

"People might say, 'It doesn't hurt, so why should I care?'" As a result, he referred to it as a 'silent killer,' because it damages all our blood vessels, the heart, the brain and the kidneys if left untreated. Dr Cheng-Han Chen, an interventional cardiologist, who also spoke to Parade echoed this sentiment.

"The worst thing that someone with high blood pressure can do is to not monitor it regularly," the doctor advised. Whether you purchase a home blood pressure cuff or get your reading measured at the GP office, it is "essential" to keep track of your levels if you suffer from hypertension.

Dr Chen explained that this could provide an opportunity to take a proactive approach to monitor how your lifestyle choices, such as exercise and diet, affect your reading. Regularly monitoring your blood pressure could assist your physicians in deciding if and when to adjust your medications, reports the Express.

The importance of monitoring your blood pressure lies in the condition's potential to significantly increase your risk of severe health issues, including heart attacks and strokes. Over time, the pressure exerted by high blood pressure on your blood vessels and heart can cause the heart muscle to weaken and become less efficient.

Alarmingly, this process doesn't trigger any warning signs, leaving you completely oblivious to its occurrence. Dr Chen warned that hypertension isn't just a threat to your cardiovascular health. The doctor stated: "[Hypertension] can also cause problems throughout the body such as kidney failure, vision loss, cognitive impairment, dementia and sexual dysfunction."

Therefore, it's vital to maintain your blood pressure reading within the healthy range. Lifestyle modifications to reduce high blood pressure readings include adopting a healthy diet and regular exercise, which could help keep your blood pressure under control.

The NHS advises following a low-fat, high-fibre diet abundant in fresh fruits and vegetables. However, you should also restrict your salt intake to no more than six grams per day, as this common seasoning is deemed the "single biggest cause" of high blood pressure, according to Blood Pressure UK.

While exercise can temporarily elevate your blood pressure, regular physical activity can aid in lowering your reading, says the health service. Kicking the smoking habit and consuming alcohol and caffeine in moderation could also be beneficial.