There is no firm rule about what defines high blood pressure. For most people, the lower the blood pressure the better. However, the following figures are a useful guide.

Your doctor is likely to measure your blood pressure several times on several occasions to confirm whether or not you have high blood pressure. He or she may recommend that you do a test to measure your blood pressure over a 24-hour period, or that you measure your own blood pressure at home.

Your lifestyle is very important in helping you to manage high blood pressure and its associated risks. Your doctor will probably advise you to:

• be smoke-free
• reduce your salt intake
• achieve and maintain a healthy body weight
• limit your alcohol intake to no more than two drinks per day, or one drink per day for women with high blood pressure
• undertake regular physical activity.

Note: some specific types of exercises should be avoided by people with high blood pressure. These include body presses and lifting heavy weights. Ask your health professional for more information.

Many people with high blood pressure will need to take medicines for the long-term to help lower it. It is important to take any blood pressure medicine exactly as prescribed. Do not stop taking it or change the dose without talking to your doctor first.

There are several ways that you can help to manage your blood pressure and reduce your risk of coronary heart disease.

• Have your blood pressure checked regularly, as part of an assessment of your overall risk of heart, stroke and blood vessel disease. The higher your risk, the more often that you should have these checks.
• Be smoke-free.
• Limit your alcohol intake.
• Achieve and maintain a healthy body weight.
• Be active every day. Do 30 minutes or more of moderate-intensity physical activity on most, if not all, days of the week.
• Enjoy healthy eating. Choose mainly plant-based foods, such as vegetables, fruits and legumes (dried peas, dried beans and lentils), and grain-based foods (preferably wholegrain), such as bread, pasta, noodles and rice.
• Consume moderate amounts of lean meats, poultry, fish and reduced fat dairy products, and moderate amounts of polyunsaturated or monounsaturated fat.

What about salt?

• Eating too much salt is one of the main causes of high blood pressure.
• Most of the salt we eat isn’t added at the table; it’s hidden in processed foods we eat every day like bread, breakfast cereals, canned food and pasta sauces.
• Choose products low in salt or reduced salt. Shoppers concerned about the amount of salt in foods can look for produces with the Heart Foundation Tick as a healthier choice.

Visit the Heart Foundation Tick for more information on healthy eating.

Measuring your blood pressure at home and/or at work helps your doctor find out what your blood pressure is outside the clinic, during your usual activities. It will also help your doctor know if any prescribed treatment is working. For more infomation on self-assessment download our guide.