Stress is a contributing factor to high blood pressure, says BHF

June Davison, cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation said:

“Nearly a third of people in England suffer from high blood pressure. We know this is a major risk factor for developing heart disease, so it’s important to try to keep your blood pressure at a normal level.

“For some people, being under constant stress can contribute to developing high blood pressure. Stress can also affect your lifestyle, and may lead to unhealthy habits such as smoking, eating a poor diet, drinking too much alcohol and not getting enough exercise – adding to your risk of developing heart problems.

“It is important to identify the things that cause you stress and look at how you may deal with stressful situations. Making changes to your lifestyle such taking regular exercise can help you cope with stress."

For information about one-to-one or group training in techniques for reducing the impact of stress, go to www.understanding-people.co.uk.