High blood pressure

High blood pressure – also known as hypertension – affects one in five Canadians. It is the number one risk factor for stroke and a major risk factor for heart disease, so it is very important that it is properly controlled. High blood pressure is often called a "silent killer" because it has no warning signs or symptoms. You can't see it. You can't feel it. But the good news is that you can control it.

Are you under pressure?
Could you be at risk of high blood pressure and not even know it? To find out, take the Heart&Stroke Blood Pressure Action Plan^TM which will identify your risk of heart disease and stroke and provides realistic tips, advice and support to help you prevent or control high blood pressure.

What is high blood pressure?

Blood pressure is a measure of the pressure or force of blood against the walls of your blood vessels (known as arteries). The top number represents the pressure when your heart contracts and pushes blood out (systolic) and the bottom number is the lowest pressure when the heart relaxes between beats (diastolic).

Blood pressure that is consistently more than 140/90 mm Hg is considered high, but if you have diabetes, 130/80 mm Hg is high. Normal blood pressure is below 120/80 mm Hg.

How high blood pressure causes heart disease and stroke

Over time high blood pressure can damage blood vessel walls, causing scarring that promotes the build-up of fatty plaque.  This build-up can narrow and eventually block arteries. It also strains the heart and eventually weakens it. Very high blood pressure can cause blood vessels in the brain to burst resulting in a stroke.

Reduce your pressure. Reduce your risk.

With proper diagnosis and treatment of high blood pressure, you can cut your risk of stroke by up to 40% and heart attack by up to 25%.

Here are some tips to get your blood pressure in check:

1. Have your blood pressure checked regularly. High blood pressure often has no symptoms, so have yours checked by a healthcare professional at least once every two years or more often as your doctor suggested.
2. If you have been told you have high-normal blood pressure, Canadian guidelines recommend that you have your blood pressure checked at least once a year. High normal ranges between 130/85 mm Hg and 139/89 mm Hg.
3. If your doctor has prescribed medication, take it as directed.
4. Eat a balanced diet, reduce your salt and alcohol intake, be physically active and smoke-free to help lower your blood pressure. Learn more about healthy lifestyle changes and the DASH eating plan to lower high blood pressure.
5. Achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Even a modest reduction in weight, as little as 10%, can dramatically decrease your chances of having a stroke or heart attack.
6. Set aside some time every day to relax. Stress can cause blood pressure to rise in the short-term.
7. Limit your alcohol intake to 1 to 2 drinks per day to a weekly maximum of 9 for women and 14 for men. If your blood pressure is high, talk to your doctor about how to reduce your alcohol consumption.
8. Talk to your doctor about home blood pressure monitoring. To learn more about how to measure your blood pressure at home, watch a video from www.hypertension.ca.

The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, together with the Canadian Hypertension Education Program (CHEP) have translated the professional blood pressure management guidelines into patient-friendly recommendations. Read more about the Public Recommendations 2009 (for people with diabetes) and the Public Recommendations 2010 (for general public).

For more information on blood pressure please read our brochure Get Your Blood Pressure Under Control.

Last reviewed April 2010.