Blood pressure is a measure of the force that your heart uses to pump blood around your body. Each time your heart beats, it pumps blood into your arteries (tubes) that carry blood from your heart to your brain and the rest of your body.
Knowing that you may have high blood pressure and taking steps to manage it could save your life.
Find out where to get your blood pressure checked in Kent and Medway.
High blood pressure - or hypertension - is a leading cause of strokes and heart attacks and affects more than one in four adults in England.
Low blood pressure (hypotension) is less common. Some medicines can cause low blood pressure as a side effect. It can also be caused by a number of underlying conditions, including heart failure and dehydration.
Blood Pressure UK provides information in 32 languages.
Blood pressure is measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg) and is given as two readings:
As a general guide:
Check your blood pressure reading on the NHS website.
It'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:
Doctors can help you keep your blood pressure to a safe level with medication and lifestyle changes.
Most people don't know they have high blood pressure because there aren't obvious symptoms. That's why it's so important to get your blood pressure checked regularly.
Left untreated, high blood pressure can increase your risk of developing a number of serious long-term health conditions, such as:
Making healthy lifestyle changes can sometimes help reduce your chances of getting high blood pressure and help lower your blood pressure if it is already high.
Eating a healthy, balanced diet can help maintain good health and manage your blood pressure.
Regular physical activity is associated with lower blood pressure and can be beneficial to your overall health and wellbeing. Physical exercise is part of a heart-healthy lifestyle and even moderate amounts of physical activity are good for your health.
Keeping to a healthy weight can also help manage your blood pressure. You can use the BMI healthy weight calculator to check whether you're a healthy weight. Find support to help lose weight at Better Health.
Drinking too much alcohol can raise your blood pressure by increasing your heart rate. To keep health risks from alcohol to a low level it is safest not to drink more than 14 units a week on a regular basis. Try these simple tips to help you cut down.
Smoking, like high blood pressure, will cause your arteries to narrow. This can increase your blood pressure. If your arteries get blocked it can cause a heart attack or stroke. Stopping smoking is also one of the best things you can do for your health.
Find information about lifestyle services in Kent and Medway.