High Blood Pressure: Silent Signs and Lifestyle Tips
High blood pressure (hypertension) usually causes no symptoms, which is why it is called a “silent” condition. The only reliable way to know your numbers is to have your blood pressure measured regularly, and lifestyle changes can lower it for many people.
What Is High Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against your artery walls. It is written as two numbers: the top (systolic) is the pressure when the heart beats, and the bottom (diastolic) is the pressure between beats. Some countries use 140/90 mmHg as the diagnostic threshold, so ask your doctor which targets apply to you.
Why It Is Called Silent
Most people with raised blood pressure feel normal. Headaches, nosebleeds or dizziness are not reliable signs. Over time, uncontrolled high blood pressure can damage the heart, brain, kidneys and eyes and raises the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Who Is at Higher Risk?
Lifestyle Steps That Help
- Eat more vegetables, fruit and whole grains
- Cut back on salt and processed food
- Be active most days
- Aim for a healthy weight
- Sleep well and manage stress
- Smoking
- Heavy drinking
- Skipping check-ups
- Stopping prescribed medicine on your own
See our guide to the diet for high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Poor sleep and chronic stress can also push pressure up; read how poor sleep affects your health and natural ways to improve overall health.
How to Check Your Blood Pressure Correctly
- Sit quietly for 5 minutes with your back supported and feet flat
- Rest your arm at heart level and use a properly fitted cuff
- Avoid caffeine, smoking and exercise for 30 minutes beforehand
- Take two readings a minute apart and record them
Blood Pressure and Medicines
If lifestyle changes are not enough, a doctor may prescribe blood pressure medicines. Never stop or change them without medical advice. Blood pressure also matters for sexual health: see can high blood pressure lead to erectile dysfunction and does Cialis lower blood pressure.
- A very high reading comes with chest pain or shortness of breath
- You have a severe headache, confusion or vision changes
- You feel weakness or have trouble speaking
Looking for blood pressure care?
Browse our blood pressure and heart care categories. Please consult a doctor before using any medicine.
High blood pressureBlood pressureHealthcare devicesFrequently Asked Questions
Can I have high blood pressure without knowing it?
Yes. That is very common, so regular checks matter, especially from midlife.
Can high blood pressure be reversed?
Many people reduce it a lot with lifestyle changes, and some also need medicine. Ask your doctor about your target.
How often should I check it?
Adults are generally advised to have it checked at least every one to two years, and more often if it is high or you have risk factors.
More Reading
Sources: American Heart Association, “Understanding Blood Pressure Readings”; World Health Organization (WHO) hypertension fact sheet; U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on high blood pressure.