What does it mean if you have high blood pressure?

If you have high blood pressure, this higher pressure puts extra strain on your heart and blood vessels. Over time, this extra strain increases your risk of a heart attack or stroke. High blood pressure can also cause heart and kidney disease, and is closely linked to some forms of dementia. read more

If you have high blood pressure, there is a great deal you can do to reduce it. You and your doctor can determine the most effective treatment for you. Treatment may include a low-fat, low-salt diet, losing weight, quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake, and getting more exercise. read more

This increased pressure puts extra strain on the parts of your body where your blood flows: in other words on your arteries (blood vessels) and your body's major organs - your heart, your kidneys and your brain. read more