High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure (also known as 'hypertension') can lead to serious health problems such as a heart attack, a stroke, heart failure or kidney disease. There are often no symptoms or signs of high blood pressure - you can have high blood pressure and feel well. Therefore, it is important that you have regular blood pressure checks. The only way to find out if your blood pressure is high is by having it checked regularly by a health professional. The following factors increase the risks of serious problems associated with high blood pressure:
Blood pressure varies throughout the day. It is always changing to meet your body’s needs. What is high blood pressure? Normal blood pressure: generally less than 120/80 mmHg (i.e. systolic blood pressure less than 120 and diastolic blood pressure less than 80 mmHg). Normal to high blood pressure: between 120/80 and 140/90 mmHg. High blood pressure: 140/90 mmHg or higher. If your blood pressure is 180/110 mmHg or higher, you have very high blood pressure. If your blood pressure remains high, it can lead to serious problems such as a heart attack, a stroke, heart failure or kidney disease. Your lifestyle is very important in helping you to control high blood pressure and its associated risks. Your doctor will probably advise you to:
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