High Blood Pressure

The heart pumps blood, full of oxygen and nutrients, through the blood vessels (arteries) to all parts of the body.  The pressure the blood exerts on the artery walls at each heart beat is called the blood pressure.  When the heart contracts, the pressure is at its highest (the ‘systolic’ blood pressure).  When the heart relaxes between beats the pressure is at its lowest (the ‘diastolic’ blood pressure).

A person is considered to be hypertensive (or have high blood pressure) if the blood pressure is equal to or greater than 140 mmHg (mm of mercury) (systolic), or over 90 mmHg (diastolic).

There are usually no symptoms with high blood pressure. It is therefore very important that all adults (everyone over 16 years of age) have their blood pressure checked every five years. If the blood pressure has been high at any time, it should be rechecked yearly.

Not everyone with high blood pressure will require treatment with drugs - blood pressure can also be reduced by addressing lifestyle factors.

For further information about high blood pressure, visit one of the following sections:

The information in this section has been adapted from the CHSS leaflet Living with High Blood Pressure.

Last updated: 09/09/2010