Vital Sign - Blood pressure What is my normal?
There’s a reason it’s often called the “silent killer” Most of the time, high blood pressure (HBP or hypertension) has no obvious symptoms to indicate that something’s wrong. The best ways to protect yourself are being aware of the risks and making changes that matter.
High blood pressure often has no signs or symptoms
Nearly one out of every six people with high blood pressure don’t even know they have it.
High blood pressure develops slowly over time and can be related to many causes.
High blood pressure cannot be cured. However, it can be managed very effectively through lifestyle changes and, when needed, medication.
Know your numbers The best way to protect yourself is to learn where you stand by measuring your blood pressure.
Recognize your risks
Being aware of your risk factors — the physical and lifestyle attributes that can make you more likely to develop high blood pressure — can help you identify changes you can make to avoid the threats to your health that can result from your blood pressure being too high for too long.
