They call it ‘the silent illness’ because, normally, it does not present any symptoms. However, high blood pressure affects about 30 per cent of adults in Spain, and in the case of the over 65s, can lead to serious health problems.

High blood pressure - or hypertension - is, as the name suggests, when the blood travels through the veins at a greater pressure than is desirable. A continuous, consistent level of high arterial pressure has become one of the most frequent causes of patients seeking an appointment with their GP. Despite this, few sufferers are aware that they have the condition, and only one in four takes medication to control it.
Chief cardiologist at Gandia’s Francesc de Borja Hospital, Plácido Orosa, states that the over-65s are considered to be suffering from hypertension if their blood pressure measures more than 140 over 90. As arterial tension varies throughout the course of the day and night, and according to different circumstances, the blood pressure should be taken when the patient is at rest.
As hypertension generally gives no warning of its presence, it is often left undetected. Certain giveaway signs are dizziness or blurred vision, although the only way to diagnose it is to take a test. If not caught and controlled on time, the condition could lead to heart problems and even harden the blood vessels, causing them to resist the circulation of blood and therefore having a knock-on effect on the vital organs such as the brain, the kidneys and the eyes.
Whilst hypertension is commonly associated with the elderly, it can in fact strike at any age, particularly where there is a family history of the illness or the sufferer leads an unhealthy lifestyle - excessive alcohol, caffeine and tobacco, too much salt or saturated fats in food, being overweight or leading either a stressful or sedentary lifestyle.
Although medication exists to control the condition, prevention is better than cure and pills and potions have a greater chance of leading to a cure if accompanied by healthy habits. This said, Plácido Orosa says that the over-65s who suffer from high blood pressure ‘must understand that it is a cronic condition, and that they will have to continue with the treatment for the rest of their lives’. A healthy diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables, light and regular exercise, moderate consumption of alcohol and coffee is the only prevention or possible cure for the young, and for the elderly these measures will help to reduce the consequences of the illness when combined with the appropriate treatment. Patients should undergo regular check-ups, which should become more frequent if the condition worsens or changes.
Those who suffer high blood pressure should consider a weight-loss programme if they are over the recommended weight for their age, height and level of fitness. Even the loss of just four or five kilos can make a difference. Reducing intake of saturated fats (use olive oil for frying, grill or steam fish or meat where possible and cut down on red meat) and sugar will also help. Sufferers should also cut down on salt, given that it causes water retention, which leads to increased arterial pressure. Most supermarket-bought foods already contain enough salt to meet our daily requirements (a certain amount of salt is in fact necessary for optimum health). To this end, it is advisable to avoid adding it to meals, and cut down on food that contains high levels of it (sausages, ready-meals, processed food or that which is preserved or marinated). Again, a moderate level of alcohol does not greatly affect levels of arterial tension, although more than the recommended number of daily units can have adverse consequences. Finally, patients should reduce their caffeine intake - coffee and Coca-Cola addicts should stick to the caffeine-free varieties.
This advice will not only help to prevent, and ease the effects of hypertension, but is also a sound path to follow for general health and well-being.