High Blood Pressure

High Blood Pressure

“There are no obvious signs or symptoms of high blood
pressure, so you may not know you have it.
That’s why it’s important to have regular check-ups to…”.1

Umbrella

What may the High Blood Pressure Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Essential Hypertension
  • High Blood Pressure (HBP)
  • Hypertension
  • Idiopathic Hypertension
  • Primary Hypertension

Blood Pressure

What is blood pressure (BP)?

DotS the definition of BP may vary. The (United States) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) definition is:

“Blood pressure is the pressure that occurs when blood pushes against the walls of your arteries. Arteries carry blood from your heart to other parts of your body. Normal blood pressure is less than 120/80 mm Hg”.2

BP Numbers

What do BP numbers mean?

In High Blood Pressure: What Is High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) the (United States) National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) explain:

“Blood pressures are written as two numbers separated by a slash like this: 120/80 mm Hg. You can say this as “120 over 80 millimeters of mercury” or just as “120 over 80.” The first number is your systolic pressure — that’s the force of the blood flow when blood is pumped out of the heart. The second number is your diastolic pressure, which is measured between heartbeats when the heart is filling with blood”.

Your blood pressure changes throughout the day based on your activities. A healthy systolic blood pressure is less than 120 mm Hg. A healthy diastolic pressure is less than 80 mm Hg. Your blood pressure is high when you have consistent systolic readings of 130 mm Hg or higher, or diastolic readings of 80 mm Hg or higher”.3

High Blood Pressure

What is high blood pressure (HBP)?

DotS the definition of HBP may vary. The British Heart Foundation’s (BHF) definition is:

“High blood pressure is when your overall blood pressure is always high, even when you are resting”.4

Hypertension

What is hypertension?

DotS the definition of hypertension may vary. In Hypertension: Overview the World Health Organization’s definition is:

“Hypertension (high blood pressure) is when the pressure in your blood vessels is too high (140/90 mmHg or higher). It is common but can be serious if not treated”.5

Blood Pressure Numbers

What are some BP numbers?

In High Blood Pressure: About High Blood Pressure – Definition of High Blood Pressure the CDC elaborate on:

“Normal blood pressure is less than 120/80 mm Hg.

High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is blood pressure that is higher than normal.

High blood pressure is consistently at or above 130/80 mm Hg”.6

Signs and Symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of HBP?

In Blood Pressure and Your Heart: High Blood Pressure – What Are the Signs and Symptoms of High Blood Pressure? the Heart Foundation of Australia (HFA) note:

“There are no obvious signs or symptoms of high blood pressure, so you may not know you have it. That’s why it’s important to have regular check-ups to measure your blood pressure levels and learn how to manage it”.7

“Silent Killer”

Why can HBP be referred to as the “silent killer”?

In High Blood Pressure–Understanding the Silent Killer: Why Is It Important To Know If You Have High Blood Pressure?  FDA explain:

“Early detection of high blood pressure is very important. Often referred to as the “silent killer” because it may show no symptoms, high blood pressure puts you at an increased risk for heart disease, heart failure, and stroke, among other things”.8

Common or Not

How common is HBP?

In the United States, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as at 11 April 2024:

“Nearly half, more than 119 million, American adults have high blood pressure. But only about 1 in 4 of those people have their condition under control. Many people develop high blood pressure when they are in their late 30’s or early 40’s, and it occurs more frequently as people age. However, because of the obesity epidemic, more and more children are also developing high blood pressure”.9

In the United Kingdom (UK), according to the BHF as at 31 March 2026:

“As many as 5 million adults in the UK have undiagnosed high blood pressure and do not know they are at risk. The only way to know whether you have high blood pressure is to have it measured. You can measure your blood pressure at home”.10

Cause

What causes HBP?

In Blood Pressure and Your Heart: High Blood Pressure – What Causes High Blood Pressure? the HFA note:

“There is no one specific cause of high blood pressure, but there are a number of things that can increase your chances of developing it, including:

  • Family history
  • Eating patterns (including salty foods)
  • Alcohol intake
  • Smoking
  • Being overweight or obese
  • Physical activity and exercise levels.

Your blood pressure can also go up temporarily due to stress, your emotional state, recent physical activity, caffeine consumption or even talking”.11

Alcohol

What is the association between drinking alcohol and HBP?

In Alcohol: Does It Affect Blood Pressure? Does Drinking Alcohol Affect Blood Pressure? the (United States) Mayo Clinic elaborate on:

“Drinking too much alcohol can raise pressure on the walls of blood vessels to unhealthy levels. Having more than three drinks in one sitting raises blood pressure for a short time. Binge drinking over and over can cause long-term rises in blood pressure”.12

Menopause

Is there an association between menopause and HBP?

High Blood Pressure In Menopause and High Blood Pressure: What’s the Connection? Is There A Connection Between Menopause and High Blood Pressure? the Mayo Clinic elaborate on:

“Blood pressure tends to go up after menopause. Some healthcare professionals think changing hormones related to menopause may cause blood pressure to rise. Others think an increase in body mass index, also called BMI, during menopause may be the cause.

Changes in hormones during menopause can lead to weight gain. Also, these changes can make blood pressure more sensitive to salt in the diet. When this happens, blood pressure can go up. Some types of hormone therapy for menopause may lead to higher blood pressure as well”.13

BP Management

How may BP be managed?

The Mayo Clinic also explain:

“To manage your blood pressure both before and after menopause, focus on a healthy lifestyle:

  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Eat heart-healthy foods. Choose whole grains, fruits, and vegetables
  • Limit salt and processed foods
  • Exercise most days of the week
  • Manage stress
  • Limit or avoid alcohol
  • If you smoke, stop.

If necessary, your healthcare team may suggest medicines to help lower blood pressure”.14

Health Care Provider

What if I think I have HBP?

If you think you have HBP, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this. In High Blood Pressure: Symptoms –What Are the Symptoms of High Blood Pressure? the BHF explain:

“Most people do not know they have high blood pressure because there are no obvious symptoms. That’s why it’s so important to get your blood pressure checked regularly.

Rarely, it can cause symptoms like blurred vision, headaches and nosebleeds”.15

In High Blood Pressure: Managing High Blood Pressure – Creating A Care Plan With Your Health Care Team the CDC elaborate on:

“You and your health care team can work together to create a care plan for your high blood pressure and other conditions that can lead to high blood pressure. Discuss your treatment plan regularly and bring a list of questions to your appointments”.16

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to High Blood Pressure?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to High Blood Pressure?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

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Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Blood Pressure and Your Heart: What Are the Signs and Symptoms of High Blood Pressure? Last Updated: 12 May 2026 | Last Reviewed: 13 June 2024. Heart Foundation of Australia https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/your-heart/blood-pressure-and-your-heart Accessed: 03 July 2026
  2. High Blood Pressure: About High Blood Pressure – Definition of Blood Pressure. 28 January 2026. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/high-blood-pressure/about/ Accessed: 03 July 2026
  3. High Blood Pressure: What Is High Blood Pressure (Hypertension). Last Updated: 25 April 2024. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/high-blood-pressure Accessed: 03 July 2026
  4. High Blood Pressure – Causes and Symptoms: Blood Pressure Explained. Page Updated: 31 March 2026. British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/conditions/high-blood-pressure.aspx Accessed: 03 July 2026
  5. Hypertension: Overview. World Health Organization https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hypertension Accessed: 03 July 2026
  6. High Blood Pressure: About High Blood Pressure – Definition of High Blood Pressure: What Is High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)? 28 January 2026. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/high-blood-pressure/about/ Accessed: 03 July 2026
  7. Blood Pressure and Your Heart: What Are the Signs and Symptoms of High Blood Pressure? Last Updated: 12 May 2026 | Last Reviewed: 13 June 2024. Heart Foundation of Australia https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/your-heart/blood-pressure-and-your-heart Accessed: 03 July 2026
  8. High Blood Pressure–Understanding the Silent Killer: Why Is It Important To Know If You Have High Blood Pressure? Content Current As of: 11 April 2024. Food and Drug Administration https://www.fda.gov/drugs/special-features/high-blood-pressure-understanding-silent-killer Accessed: 03 July 2026
  9. High Blood Pressure – Causes and Symptoms: Where Can I Get My Blood Pressure Checked. Page Updated: 31 March 2026. British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/risk-factors/high-blood-pressure Accessed: 03 July 2026
  10. Blood Pressure and Your Heart: High Blood Pressure – What Causes High Blood Pressure? Last Updated: 12 May 2026 | Last Reviewed: 13 June 2024. Heart Foundation of Australia https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/your-heart/blood-pressure-and-your-heart Accessed: 03 July 2026
  11. Alcohol: Does It Affect Blood Pressure? Does Drinking Alcohol Affect Blood Pressure? 16 October 2024. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/expert-answers/blood-pressure/faq-20058254 Accessed: 03 July 2026
  12. Menopause and High Blood Pressure: What’s the Connection? Is There A Connection Between Menopause and High Blood Pressure? 19 March 2025. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/expert-answers/menopause-and-high-blood-pressure/faq-20058406 Accessed: 03 July 2026
  13. Menopause and High Blood Pressure: What’s the Connection? Is There A Connection Between Menopause and High Blood Pressure? 19 March 2025. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/expert-answers/menopause-and-high-blood-pressure/faq-20058406 Accessed: 03 July 2026
  14. High Blood Pressure: Symptoms – What Are the Symptoms of High Blood Pressure? Page Updated: 31 March 2026. British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/risk-factors/high-blood-pressure#Symptoms_of_high_blood_pressure Accessed: 03 July 2026
  15. High Blood Pressure: Managing High Blood Pressure – Creating A Care Plan With Your Health Care Team. 13 December 2024. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/high-blood-pressure/living-with/index.html Accessed: 03 July 2026
Topic Last Updated: 03 July 2026 – Topic Last Reviewed: 03 July 2026

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