If your blood pressure is too high, it can put strain on your blood vessels, heart and other organs (eg the kidneys, eyes or brain). Persistently high blood pressure can increase your risk of CHD, stroke, kidney failure and more.

High blood pressure (hypertension) - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

• Obesity
• Drinking too much alcohol or coffee
• Minimal physical exercise
• Stress
• Too much salt in the diet
• Smoking
• Being over 65
• Having a relative with high blood pressure
• If you are of black African or black Caribbean descent

There are many lifestyle changes that can help lower your blood pressure. These include:

• Eating a well balanced diet and reducing salt intake
• Cutting down on alcohol
• Quit smoking
• Cut down on caffeine
• Exercise
• Weight loss (if applicable)

There are also many options for blood pressure lowering medication. You can discuss these with your GP.

Your blood pressure can be measured by your GP, practice nurse or health care assistant and your local pharmacist. You may choose to buy your own blood pressure monitoring machine. We advise you speak with your pharmacist for their recommendation.

Find information here about choosing your machine, measuring your BP at home and how to interpret the results:

Blood pressure monitors: All you need to know - BHF