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• Smoking
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Stress and emotional upset
• Excessive consumption of salt
• Lack of physical exercise
• Genetic/hereditary predisposition
• Underlying illnesses, such as kidney disorders or
endocrine disturbance
Blood pressure measurement
Measuring your blood pressure daily enables you to
recognize high blood pressure at an early stage and
obtain medical treatment.
The oscillometric method of measurement
determines your blood pressure by measuring the
pressure fluctuations caused by the pulse waves.
Since your blood pressure fluctuates within a day
(see graphic next page), you should always measure
it at the same time each day to ensure that the
measurements are genuinely comparable. At the
doctor’s surgery, nervousness and tension may
cause your blood pressure to be higher than in
familiar circumstances at home. This is known as
“White Coat Hypertension”.
Treatment of high blood pressure
If your blood pressure reaches upper values of 140 -
160 mmHg and lower values of 90 - 95 mmHg in
repeated measurements over several days, you
should consult your doctor for detailed medical
examination. You can assist the treatment prescribed
by your doctor in the following ways:
• Loose weight and lower your cholesterol level by
reducing the calories and fat in your diet. Cut
down on animal fats and eat more fruit and
vegetables.
• Reduce the consumption of alcohol.
• Reduce the intake of salt: the German League for
Combating High Blood Pressure recommends six
grams of salt per day (i.e. one teaspoon) on
average.
• Stop smoking.
• Take regular exercise.
• Monitor your blood pressure.
Example: fluctuation within a day (male, 35 years old)
mmHg
200
150
100
50
6 12 18 24
Upper curve: systolic blood pressure
Lower curve: diastolic blood pressure
Time of day
24031905 M7 GB 01-16 3/25/04 1:59 PM Pagina 16