8 Common Health Questions You've Probably Googled
You know you shouldn’t, but you can’t help it – yes, we mean consulting with Dr Google. Around 7% of daily Google searches are health-related, so we asked the experts for the truth behind our most common concerns
THE EXPERT ANSWERS TO
1. WHAT CAUSES HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE?
First, what do the numbers mean? ‘Blood pressure readings are split into two values, measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg). Systolic (the upper value) is the force at which your heart pumps blood around your body. Diastolic is the lower value, and that’s your heart relaxing again,’ says Dr Suhail Hussain, GP. Healthy blood pressure is between around 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg, but it can fluctuate – it might increase if you’re feeling nervous, for example. However, around one third of UK adults have consistently high blood pressure (hypertension) but may not know it because they don’t have any symptoms. ‘If your blood pressure is high, your heart and blood vessels are under stress, which can up your risk for angina (chest pain), heart attack or stroke,’ says Hussain.
‘Being overweight or obese is the number one risk factor for hypertension. Other causes include too much salt in your diet, too much alcohol and excessive caffeine consumption. Caffeine activates your body’s sympathetic nervous system, or your fight-or-flight response, where everything becomes heightened including blood pressure,’ he adds.
Exercise is crucial. ‘The fitter you are, the more efficient your heart and the lower your blood pressure,’ says Hussain. ‘Aim for 30 minutes of vigorous exercise five times a week, in which your heart beats faster and you get a bit short of breath.’ A home blood pressure monitor can be useful, and Hussain advises: ‘If your blood pressure is in the normal range, monitor it once a week. If it seems high and you want to get an idea of the trend, take three readings a day for a week.’ HEALTHY RECOMMENDS: Homedics arm blood pressure monitor (£24.99, 96 points)
2. HOW CAN I DEAL WITH ANXIETY?
Searches for ‘How to maintain mental health’ hit an all-time high in 2021, according to Google’s latest Year in Search report, and anxiety is high on our list of concerns. Dr Wendy Suzuki, neuroscientist, has this advice for coping when everything feels too much: ‘Try box breathing: Inhale for four counts. Hold your breath for four counts, then exhale for four counts. Hold the exhale for four counts and repeat,’ she says. Movement is an excellent way to help you cope with anxiety. ‘You don’t have
