BB Fact Sheets – Health – High Blood Pressure

 Prevention is Better than Cure

• Preventing high blood pressure or keeping it in check could help you to maintain your health to do the things you really want to

• Take a moment to consider the risk factors for high blood pressure – age, gender, diet, physical shape, level of activity, family history and lifestyle

• Talk to your Doctor and seek information on foods, exercise and lifestyle changes which could help lower your chance of getting or having high blood pressure

• Ask to have your blood pressure taken and have it checked regularly

Baby boomers and High Blood Pressure

• High Blood Pressure is a problem many Australian Baby Boomers have to face. One in seven people in Australia are affected according to the High Blood Pressure Research Council of Australia.

• A stressful lifestyle, poor attention to diet, and a lack of appropriate physical exercise are all contributing factors to high blood pressure. Baby boomers are often juggling several demands from family, work, relationships, children all at once which may leave little time to think about maintaining a healthy balance.

What can I do?

• The best person to talk to about high blood pressure is your Doctor. They can easily measure it during your consultation and explain what your result means, remember it is better to be safe than sorry. They can discuss with you ways of keeping it under control

• Ask members of your family if they have or someone else in the family has had high blood pressure as it commonly runs in families

• Review your diet, weight and the amount of exercise you do

• Find out more information from the High Blood Pressure Research Council of Australia

Healthdirect Australia  -  1800 022 222

Heart Foundation        -  1300 36 2787

Australia - http://www.hbprca.com.au/high-blood-pressure

              - http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/High_Blood_Pressure__Hypertension

              - http://www.heartfoundation.org.au/Heart_Information/Heart_Conditions/Blood_Pressure

NSW       - http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/topics/bloodpressure.html

QLD       - http://health.qld.gov.au/cho_report/chapter_3/high_pressure.asp

VIC        - http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/Hypertension_high_blood_pressure

WA         -  http://www.health.wa.gov.au/health_index/h/heart.cfm

SA          - http://www.health.sa.gov.au/Default.aspx?tabid=70

TAS        - http://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/health__and__wellbeing

NT          - http://www.health.nt.gov.au/A_-_Z_Index/index.aspx

ACT        -  http://www.health.act.gov.au/c/health?a=&did=10101609

Multicultural Information:

Health In Site LOTE  - http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Languages_Other_Than_English

Multicultural Health   - http://www.mhcs.health.nsw.gov.au/mhcs/topics.html#a

Indigenous Australians:

Health Info Net        -  http://www.healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au/

 Heart Foundation of Australia   - http://www.heartfoundation.org.au/Heart_Information/

 National Stroke Foundation      - http://www.strokefoundation.com.au/

 Know your numbers campaign - http://www.strokefoundation.com.au/know-your-numbers

 Lowering High Blood Pressure - overseas website USA - http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/hbp/

Heart Foundation   - http://www.heartfoundation.org.au/Heart_Information/Carers/Pages

Stroke Foundation -  http://www.strokefoundation.com.au/state-stroke-associations

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Disclaimer: The information contained in this section should not be used for individual medical advice. Please see your doctor if you have concerns or specific questions relating to your health. 

This article was created by Frances Williams for babyboomers.com.au - Australia's website for Baby Boomers. Sources include the High Blood Pressure Council of Australia and the Federal Government. Babyboomers.com.au is an online resource to help people find information and services on health, money, travel and recreation