High blood pressure, or hypertension, rarely has noticeable symptoms. But if untreated, it increases your risk of serious problems such as heart attacks and strokes. Around a third of adults in the UK have high blood pressure, although many will not realise it. The only way to find out if your blood pressure is high is to have your blood pressure checked. Blood pressure is recorded with 2 numbers. The systolic pressure (higher number) is the force at which your heart pumps blood around your body. The diastolic pressure (lower number) is the resistance to the blood flow in the blood vessels. They're both measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg). As a general guide:
Blood pressure readings between 120/80mmHg and 140/90mmHg could mean you're at risk of developing high blood pressure if you do not take steps to keep your blood pressure under control. Everyone's blood pressure will be slightly different. What's considered low or high for you may be normal for someone else. Risks of high blood pressureIf your blood pressure is too high, it puts extra strain on your blood vessels, heart and other organs, such as the brain, kidneys and eyes. Persistent high blood pressure can increase your risk of a number of serious and potentially life-threatening health conditions, such as:
If you have high blood pressure, reducing it even a small amount can help lower your risk of these health conditions. Check your blood pressureThe only way of knowing whether you have high blood pressure is to have a blood pressure test. All adults over 40 are advised to have their blood pressure checked at least every 5 years. Getting this done is easy and could save your life. You can get your blood pressure tested at a number of places, including:
You can also check your blood pressure yourself with a home blood pressure monitor. Find out more about getting a blood pressure test Things that can increase your risk of getting high blood pressureIt's not always clear what causes high blood pressure, but there are things that can increase your risk. You might be more at risk if you:
Making healthy lifestyle changes can sometimes help reduce your chances of getting high blood pressure and help lower your blood pressure if it's already high. Treatment for high blood pressureDoctors can help you keep your blood pressure to a safe level using:
What works best is different for each person. Talk to your doctor to help you decide about treatment. This patient decision aid (PDF, 132kb) can also help you to understand your treatment options. Lifestyle changes to reduce blood pressureThese lifestyle changes can help prevent and lower high blood pressure:
Some people with high blood pressure may also need to take 1 or more medicines to stop their blood pressure getting too high. Medicines for high blood pressureIf you're diagnosed with high blood pressure, your doctor may recommend taking 1 or more medicines to keep it under control. These come as tablets and usually need to be taken once a day. Common blood pressure medicines include:
The medicine recommended for you will depend on things like how high your blood pressure is, your age and your ethnicity. Page last reviewed: 23 October 2019 When should you worry about the bottom number of blood pressure?Over time, isolated diastolic hypotension can cause heart failure. In fact, it may be one of the most common causes of heart failure. Pay attention to your diastolic number when you have your blood pressure checked. If your lower number is 60 or below, ask a healthcare professional about it.
What causes the bottom number of blood pressure to be high?Diastolic pressure is the bottom number of a blood pressure reading. IDH occurs if someone has elevated diastolic blood pressure, increasing a person's risk of heart disease and stroke. Smoking, consuming alcohol, obesity, and high blood fat may lead to IDH.
Is the bottom number on blood pressure the most important?Q. When I am monitoring my blood pressure, which number is most important — top, bottom, or both? A. While both numbers in a blood pressure reading are essential for diagnosing and treating high blood pressure, doctors primarily focus on the top number, also known as systolic pressure.
Does the bottom number of blood pressure matter?Why the Bottom Number on Your Blood Pressure Reading Is Important, Too. Researchers say the top and bottom number are important in blood pressure readings. Both the systolic and diastolic are indicators when it comes to the risk of heart attack and stroke.
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