Blood pressure measures how strongly blood presses against the walls of your arteries (large blood vessels) as it is pumped around your body by your heart. It indicates how much work your heart needs to do to pump blood around your body.
Blood pressure measurements consist of two numbers. Normal blood pressure is 120/80mmHg. Blood pressure may increase or decrease depending on a range of factors such as age, diet, heart health, emotions, activity, the medication you take, smoking & caffeine intake.
High blood pressure is also known as hypertension. You are considered to have high blood pressure if your blood pressure readings are consistently measuring 140/90mmHg or higher on separate occasions. High blood pressure usually has no symptoms. In order to detect if you have high blood pressure, you need to have your blood pressure checked. Untreated high blood pressure can lead to serious conditions, including stroke and heart attack.
However once detected, high blood pressure can be managed with lifestyle changes and, if needed, medication.
