Interview 05 - High blood pressure

Age at interview: 71

Age at diagnosis: 26

Brief Outline:

Discovered following pregnancy.

Discusses her experiences of finding information about high blood pressure.

They didn't explain anything in those days. Nothing whatsoever, everything was hidden away as it might be. It was like having a doctor who said 'Come in, sit down and what can I do for you?' with a very straight face, and that was that, and then you went, and nothing was explained whatsoever. I've learnt more about things in my older days than because now they tell you all about different things.

I've picked up a leaflet once or twice from the Heart Foundation, when I've been at hospital and I've seen these little booklets about high blood pressure, but I still wouldn't know what causes it. I do like to know things but I just I don't know enough. I mean some of the books you get from the library they're too technical. You can't understand them so it spoils it really.

I don't think I've ever come across anything to do with blood pressure which I've understood. I think I understand more of this doctor that comes on the radio. I can't even remember his name but he's a great person, people will phone up about medical things and he will explain it completely down to earth, he doesn't go into all the technical things which is nice.