High blood pressure also known as hypertension, is a common health condition where the pressure of the blood against the walls of the blood vessels remains consistently too high.
One of the challenges with hypertension is that many people do not experience noticeable symptoms. Meaning that someone can have high blood pressure and feel completely well.
Regular high blood pressure checks are important because they can help identify high blood pressure early and support appropriate management.
Why Does High Blood Pressure Matter?
When high blood pressure remains uncontrolled, it can damage blood vessels and increase the risk of serious health problems including heart disease, stroke and kidney disease.
What Can Increase The Risk?
- A diet high in salt and unhealthy fats
- Physical inactivity
- Use of tobacco
- Harmful use of alcohol
- Obesity/Overwieght
- Family history
- Age
Some risks factors cannot be changed, but healthy lifestyles choices can help reduce those that can be modified.
Understanding Your Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is recorded using two numbers: systolic pressure over diastolic pressure.
For adults, the World Health Organization (WHO) defines hypertension as 140/90 mmHg or higher when on two different days. A diagnosis should be made via appropriate clinical assessment instead of from a single reading.
If you have not checked your blood pressure recently, consider making it a part of your routine health checks.
You may feel fine. Checking still matters.
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This article is for health education and does not replace proffesional medical advice.
Source: World Health Organization (WHO)