are of black African or black Caribbean descent.have a relative with high blood pressure.

drink too much alcohol or coffee (or other caffeine-based drinks).eat too much salt and do not eat enough fruit and vegetables.It's not always clear what causes high blood pressure, but there are things that can increase your risk. You can also check your blood pressure yourself with a home blood pressure monitor.įind out more about getting a blood pressure test Things that can increase your risk of getting high blood pressure You can get your blood pressure tested at a number of places, including: Getting this done is easy and could save your life. The only way of knowing whether you have high blood pressure is to have a blood pressure test.Īll adults over 40 are advised to have their blood pressure checked at least every 5 years. If you have high blood pressure, reducing it even a small amount can help lower your risk of these health conditions. Persistent high blood pressure can increase your risk of a number of serious and potentially life-threatening health conditions, such as: If 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. What's considered low or high for you may be normal for someone else. ideal blood pressure is usually considered to be between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg, while the target for over-80s is below 150/90mmHg (or 145/85mmHg at home)īlood pressure readings from 121/81mmHg to 139/89mmHg could mean you're at risk of developing high blood pressure if you do not take steps to keep your blood pressure under control.Įveryone's blood pressure will be slightly different.high blood pressure is considered to be from 140/90mmHg (or an average of 135/85mmHg at home) – or 150/90mmHg (or an average of 145/85mmHg at home) if you're over the age of 80.They're both measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg). The diastolic pressure (lower number) is the resistance to the blood flow in the blood vessels between heartbeats. The systolic pressure (higher number) is the force at which your heart pumps blood around your body. What is high blood pressure?īlood pressure is recorded with 2 numbers. The only way to find out if your blood pressure is high is to have your blood pressure checked. But if untreated, it increases your risk of serious problems such as heart attacks and strokes.Īround 1 in 4 adults in the UK have high blood pressure, although many will not realise it.

High blood pressure, or hypertension, rarely has noticeable symptoms.

Blood pressure chart record printable