When we talk about looking after our heart, we often hear the same terms: blood pressure, cholesterol, heart disease and cardiovascular health.
But what do these terms actually mean? And why are blood pressure and cholesterol checks important?
For many people, these are numbers they might hear during a GP appointment or health check without fully understanding what they tell us. With World Heart Day providing an opportunity to raise awareness of cardiovascular health, it’s a good time to understand some of the basics.
What is heart health?
Heart health refers to the overall health and functioning of your heart and circulatory system.
Your heart works continuously to pump blood around your body, delivering oxygen and nutrients to your organs and tissues. Your blood vessels then carry blood around the body and back to the heart.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a broad term covering conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels. Some cardiovascular conditions can develop gradually, and certain risk factors may not cause noticeable symptoms.
This is one reason why understanding your blood pressure and cholesterol can be important.
What is blood pressure?
Blood pressure is the force that your blood places on the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps it around your body.
When your blood pressure is measured, you’ll usually be given two numbers.
Systolic blood pressure
This is the higher number. It measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart contracts and pumps blood.
Diastolic blood pressure
This is the lower number. It measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart relaxes between beats.
Blood pressure is usually recorded in millimetres of mercury (mmHg). You might therefore hear a reading described as something like 120/80 mmHg.
Blood pressure naturally changes throughout the day and can be affected by things such as activity, stress, caffeine and illness. This means one reading doesn’t necessarily tell the whole story.
Persistently high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, can put additional strain on the heart and blood vessels. Over time, high blood pressure can increase the risk of cardiovascular problems.
If you’re concerned about your blood pressure, speak to a healthcare professional who can advise you about what your readings mean and whether further monitoring is needed.
What is cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that your body needs to function.
It plays an important role in producing hormones, vitamin D and substances that help with digestion. Your body produces cholesterol naturally, and it can also come from some foods.
However, having too much cholesterol in your blood can contribute to the build-up of fatty deposits inside your arteries.
You may have heard people refer to “good” and “bad” cholesterol.
LDL cholesterol
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is often described as “bad” cholesterol because high levels can contribute to fatty deposits building up in the arteries.
HDL cholesterol
High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is often referred to as “good” cholesterol because it helps transport cholesterol away from the arteries and back towards the liver.
A cholesterol test can measure different types of cholesterol and other fats in your blood. Your healthcare professional can explain what your individual results mean in the context of your overall health and other risk factors.
Why do blood pressure and cholesterol matter?
High blood pressure and cholesterol don’t always cause obvious symptoms.
You might feel completely well while having levels that could increase your risk of cardiovascular disease over time.
That’s why routine health checks can be valuable. They provide an opportunity to identify potential risk factors early and discuss ways of managing them.
Your risk of cardiovascular disease isn’t determined by one number alone. Healthcare professionals may consider factors including your age, blood pressure and cholesterol levels, smoking status, existing health conditions and family history.
What can affect your heart health?
There isn’t one single cause of poor heart health. A range of lifestyle and health factors can contribute to cardiovascular risk.
These can include:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Smoking
- Being physically inactive
- Eating an unhealthy diet
- Being overweight or obese
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Diabetes
- Long-term stress
- Family history and other factors outside your control
Some risk factors can be changed through lifestyle adjustments, while others cannot.
This is important because looking after your heart isn’t about achieving perfection. It’s about understanding your individual risk and taking practical steps where you can.
What can you do to support your heart health?
There are a number of everyday habits that can support cardiovascular health.
Keep moving
Regular physical activity can benefit both your physical and mental wellbeing. This doesn’t necessarily mean spending hours in the gym. Walking, cycling, swimming, dancing and other activities all count towards being more active.
Eat a balanced diet
A balanced diet can help support heart health. Aim to include plenty of fruit and vegetables, wholegrains and other nutritious foods, while keeping foods high in saturated fat, salt and added sugars to a sensible level.
Look after your mental wellbeing
Your physical and mental health are closely connected. Long-term stress can affect your body in a number of ways, which is why making time for rest, recovery and activities that support your wellbeing is important.
Don’t smoke
Smoking is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. If you smoke and would like to stop, support is available through healthcare professionals and stop-smoking services.
Keep an eye on your numbers
Knowing your blood pressure and cholesterol levels can give you a better understanding of your cardiovascular health.
If you’re offered a health check or blood pressure assessment, taking up the opportunity can be a useful step towards understanding your health.
Heart health and your working life
We spend a significant proportion of our lives at work, so it’s worth considering how our working environment and habits can affect our overall wellbeing.
Long working hours, ongoing pressure, poor sleep and a lack of opportunities to move throughout the day can all make it harder to prioritise our health.
Creating healthier working habits doesn’t have to mean making dramatic changes. Taking regular breaks, moving throughout the day, eating nutritious meals, getting enough sleep and recognising when stress is becoming difficult to manage can all form part of a healthier approach to work and wellbeing.
Employers also have an important role to play in creating workplaces where people feel supported to look after both their physical and mental health.
Don’t ignore your heart health because you feel well
One of the most important things to remember about cardiovascular health is that some risk factors may not have obvious symptoms.
You don’t need to wait until something feels wrong before taking an interest in your heart health.
Understanding what your blood pressure and cholesterol results mean, attending appropriate health checks and speaking to a healthcare professional if you have concerns can help you make informed decisions about your health.
And remember, everyone’s circumstances are different. If you’re concerned about your blood pressure and cholesterol, or cardiovascular health, speak to your GP or another qualified healthcare professional for personalised advice.
This World Heart Day, make time for your heart
World Heart Day is a reminder that looking after your heart isn’t just something to think about when you’re older or when something goes wrong.
Small, sustainable changes to how we move, eat, sleep, manage stress and look after our wellbeing can all form part of a healthier lifestyle.
Understanding the basics is a good place to start.
Want to learn more about looking after your heart and wellbeing?
TBHG is committed to supporting people to improve their health, wellbeing and confidence, including through our employment and health support programmes.
Get in contact with us today or get started, or find our more about what we offer.
This article is intended for general information and awareness purposes and is not a substitute for medical advice. If you have concerns about your heart health, blood pressure and cholesterol, speak to your GP or another qualified healthcare professional.
