High blood pressure, or hypertension, is often called a 'silent killer' because it usually has no symptoms.
Your blood pressure measures how hard your heart is working to pump blood through your body. It’s the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your arteries – and if it’s too high, it can put serious strain on your heart and blood vessels.
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is often called a "silent killer" because it usually has no symptoms. 1 in 4 women have high blood pressure, and many don’t even know it – so regular checks with your GP are essential.
What causes high blood pressure?
Blood pressure rises when your heart pumps more blood or when your arteries become narrow or hardened – often due to plaque buildup. Over time, this can restrict blood flow to the heart, weaken blood vessels, and increase the risk of heart attack or stroke.
How is blood pressure measured?
Blood pressure is recorded as two numbers:
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Systolic (top number) – the pressure when your heart contracts and pumps blood
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Diastolic (bottom number) – the pressure when your heart relaxes and refills with blood
Normal blood pressure is below 120/80 mm Hg. High blood pressure is systolic of 140 or higher and diastolic of 80 or higher.
The only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to have it checked. Keep yours in a healthy range by staying active, eating well, managing stress, and checking in regularly with your doctor.
The main 2 categories are high and low blood pressure
Hypertension
1 in 4 women has Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure. This means that your blood pressure is consistently higher than the recommended level (exceeding 140/80 mm Hg). This can put you at risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Significant lifestyle changes can help reduce your risk of developing high blood pressure.
Hypotension
Hypotension, otherwise known as low blood pressure, is when your BP is less than 90/60 mm Hg. This indicates that pressure of your blood circulating around your body is inadequate and could mean that certain organs are not receiving enough blood. It can be just as serious as high blood pressure and should not be ignored.