High blood pressure

When your heart beats, it pumps blood around your body. As the blood moves, it pushes against the side of the blood vessels. The strength of this pushing is your blood pressure.

Your blood pressure is expressed as two numbers, e.g. 120/80 and said as “120 over 80”.

The top number (e.g. 120) is your systolic pressure. This is the pressure on your blood vessel walls as your heart pumps.

The lower number (e.g. 80) is your diastolic pressure. This is the pressure on your blood vessel walls as your heart rests between pumps.

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is the number one modifiable risk factor for stroke. 1 in 5 New Zealanders experience high blood pressure and it’s estimated that one third of this group don’t even know they have high blood pressure.

Having high blood pressure puts a strain on all the blood vessels throughout your body, including the ones in your brain. This strain can damage your blood vessels, causing them to become harder and narrower. The vessels are then more likely to block or burst, causing a stroke.

High blood pressure is also a risk factor for heart attacks, heart failure, and kidney and eye disease.

In most cases, blood pressure tends to rise the older we get and can run in the family. There are several other factors that have been linked to high blood pressure, including:

• Being overweight
• Smoking
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Lack of exercise
• A high salt diet
• Diabetes

High blood pressure is serious, but the good news is that it can be treated. The first step to reducing your risk of stroke is to get a blood pressure check.

A blood pressure check is quick and painless. It often involves a cuff being placed around your arm and inflated for a few minutes. A check will provide you with results straight away. For most people, an annual check is recommended, but your doctor can tell you how often is right for you.

Stroke Aotearoa New Zealand provides thousands of free blood pressure checks across the country every year. Find out where we'll be next!

You can also control your blood pressure by making lifestyles changes such as eating more whole foods, reducing salt in your diet, and exercising more often. Cutting out tobacco products (including vapes) and lowering your alcohol intake will help. If your doctor prescribes you medication to control your blood pressure, ensure you take it and continue taking it unless advised by your doctor.