Blood Pressure and Your Heart: What You Need to Know
Blood Pressure and Your Heart: Know Your Numbers
You may have high blood pressure and feel completely well.
That is because high blood pressure usually does not cause clear symptoms. Many people only discover it during a routine health check.
Knowing your blood pressure can help you better understand the health of your heart and blood vessels. It may also give you the chance to act before lasting damage develops.
What Is Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure is the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your arteries.
Your heart creates this pressure as it pumps blood around your body. Blood pressure naturally changes throughout the day based on movement, rest, stress, sleep and body position.
Blood pressure is written as two numbers, such as 120/80.
It is measured in millimetres of mercury, written as mmHg.
What Do the Two Numbers Mean?
The top number is called systolic blood pressure.
This measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart contracts and pumps blood.
The bottom number is called diastolic blood pressure.
This measures the pressure in your arteries while your heart relaxes between beats.
Both numbers are important. Your doctor will consider them together with your age, health, family history and other cardiovascular risk factors.
What Is Considered a Healthy Blood Pressure?
The ideal blood pressure range can vary based on your age, medical history and personal cardiovascular risk.
The following numbers provide a general guide for adults:
• Optimal: Lower than 120 systolic and lower than 80 diastolic
• Normal: 120 to 129 systolic or 80 to 84 diastolic
• High normal: 130 to 139 systolic or 85 to 89 diastolic
• High: 140 or higher systolic or 90 or higher diastolic
One high reading does not always mean you have high blood pressure.
Blood pressure can temporarily rise because of exercise, pain, stress, caffeine, smoking or anxiety. Your doctor may take several readings or ask you to check your blood pressure at home before making a diagnosis.
What Is High Blood Pressure?
High blood pressure is also called hypertension.
Australian health guidance generally describes blood pressure as high when repeated readings remain at 140/90 or higher.
This may mean:
• Your systolic number is 140 or higher
• Your diastolic number is 90 or higher
• Both numbers are high
Your doctor may recommend a different target based on your health, medicines and overall risk of heart disease or stroke.
Does High Blood Pressure Cause Symptoms?
Most people with high blood pressure have no obvious symptoms.
You cannot normally tell whether your blood pressure is high based on how you feel. This is why regular checks are important.
Very high blood pressure may sometimes cause symptoms such as:
• Severe headache
• Dizziness
• Vision problems
• Vomiting
• Confusion
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
Some of these symptoms may also be connected to other heart problems. Learn more about the early signs of heart disease and when they should not be ignored.
Why Does High Blood Pressure Matter?
Ongoing high blood pressure places extra strain on your arteries and heart.
Over time, it may damage artery walls and make the heart work harder to move blood around the body.
High blood pressure can increase the risk of:
• Coronary heart disease
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Heart failure
• Kidney disease
• Damage to blood vessels in the eyes
Blood pressure is only one part of your cardiovascular health. Your doctor may also consider your blood sugar, smoking history, weight and cholesterol test results.
What Can Cause High Blood Pressure?
There is not always one clear cause.
For many people, high blood pressure develops gradually through a combination of genetics, age, health conditions and daily habits.
Factors that may increase your risk include:
• Eating too much salt
• Not getting enough physical activity
• Carrying excess body weight
• Smoking or vaping
• Drinking too much alcohol
• Having a family history of high blood pressure
• Getting older
• Having kidney disease
• Having diabetes
• Having sleep apnoea
• Taking certain medicines or drugs
Your family history can affect more than blood pressure. A history of high cholesterol, stroke, heart attack or coronary artery disease may also influence your personal risk. Read more about what a family history of heart disease may mean for you.
Sleep can also affect cardiovascular health. Poor sleep may influence blood pressure, stress hormones and recovery. Learn more about the connection between sleep and heart health.
Where Can You Have Your Blood Pressure Checked?
Your blood pressure can be checked by:
• A doctor
• A nurse
• A pharmacist
• Another qualified health professional
• You at home using a suitable monitor
Adults with healthy readings and no major risk factors may be advised to have their blood pressure checked at least every two years.
Your doctor may recommend more frequent checks based on your age, previous readings, family history and medical conditions.
Should You Monitor Your Blood Pressure at Home?
Home monitoring can help your doctor understand what your blood pressure is like outside a medical setting.
Some people become nervous during appointments. This can temporarily raise their blood pressure and is sometimes called white coat hypertension.
Home readings may help your doctor:
• Confirm whether your blood pressure is high
• See how your readings change over time
• Check whether treatment is working
• Understand how your readings differ throughout the day
• Adjust your care plan when needed
You may not need to check your blood pressure every day forever.
Your doctor may ask you to take readings in the morning and evening for several days. They may also recommend checks before an appointment or after changing medicine.
Follow the schedule recommended by your healthcare professional.
Choosing a Blood Pressure Monitor
An automatic monitor with a cuff that wraps around your upper arm is generally the best choice for home use.
Look for a monitor that has been validated. This means it has been tested and shown to provide accurate readings.
The cuff must also fit your arm properly. A cuff that is too small or too large may affect the result.
Wrist and finger monitors can be less reliable because their position has a greater effect on the reading.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for help choosing a suitable monitor.
How to Measure Your Blood Pressure Correctly
Small details can affect your reading.
Before checking your blood pressure:
• Avoid smoking, caffeine and exercise for at least 30 minutes
• Empty your bladder
• Sit quietly for five minutes
• Avoid taking a reading while you are in pain or feeling highly stressed
When taking the reading:
• Sit with your back supported
• Keep both feet flat on the floor
• Keep your legs uncrossed
• Place the cuff around your bare upper arm
• Support your arm at heart level
• Stay quiet and still
• Take two readings one minute apart
Record your readings in a diary, spreadsheet, phone application or the memory of your monitor.
Try to measure your blood pressure at about the same time each day when your doctor has asked you to track it.
How Can High Blood Pressure Be Managed?
Managing high blood pressure may involve lifestyle changes, medicine or a combination of both.
The right plan depends on your readings, general health and risk of heart attack or stroke.
Reduce Your Salt Intake
Eating too much salt can contribute to high blood pressure.
Much of the salt people consume comes from packaged and processed foods rather than salt added at the table.
Foods that may contain high amounts of salt include:
• Processed meats
• Fast food
• Packaged soups
• Sauces
• Savoury snacks
• Frozen meals
• Some breads and breakfast cereals
Check food labels and compare the sodium content of similar products.
Follow a Balanced Eating Pattern
A balanced eating pattern may support healthy blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and body weight.
Try to include:
• Vegetables
• Fruit
• Wholegrains
• Beans and lentils
• Nuts and seeds
• Fish
• Lean sources of protein
• Reduced fat dairy when suitable
You do not need to completely change your diet overnight. Simple changes can be easier to maintain. These smart food swaps for heart health provide practical ways to reduce salt, sugar and saturated fat.
Stay Physically Active
Regular movement can support blood pressure, circulation, weight and general heart health.
Walking, swimming, cycling, gardening and other activities can all count.
The right amount of exercise depends on your current health and ability. Start gradually and choose activities you can continue.
Read more about how regular exercise supports your arteries and cardiovascular health.
Speak with your doctor before beginning a new exercise routine if you have a medical condition or have not been active for some time.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Carrying excess body weight may increase the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease.
Even modest and sustainable changes may support better health.
Focus on habits you can continue rather than strict diets or rapid weight loss programs. Our article comparing smoking and obesity as cardiovascular risk factors explains how both can place pressure on the heart in different ways.
Do Not Smoke or Vape
Smoking can temporarily raise blood pressure and damage the walls of your blood vessels.
It can also make your blood more likely to clot and increase your risk of heart attack and stroke.
Stopping smoking is one of the most important changes you can make for your cardiovascular health.
Your doctor or pharmacist can help you find support and treatment options.
Limit Alcohol
Alcohol can temporarily raise blood pressure. Regular heavy drinking may contribute to a longer lasting increase.
Speak with your doctor about whether alcohol is safe for you and what amount may be suitable for your health.
Take Medicine as Directed
Lifestyle changes may not be enough for everyone.
Your doctor may prescribe medicine to lower your blood pressure and reduce your cardiovascular risk.
Common types of blood pressure medicine include:
• ACE inhibitors
• Angiotensin receptor blockers
• Calcium channel blockers
• Beta blockers
• Diuretics
Some people need more than one medicine to manage their blood pressure.
Take your medicine as prescribed. Do not stop taking it or change the dose without speaking with your doctor.
When Should You Get Urgent Help?
Very high blood pressure can sometimes become a medical emergency.
Call 000 in Australia or seek urgent medical help if you experience:
• Chest pain
• Severe shortness of breath
• Confusion
• Seizures
• Sudden weakness or numbness
• Severe headache
• Sudden vision problems
• Signs of a possible heart attack or stroke
Heart attack symptoms are not always dramatic. They may include pressure or discomfort in the chest, pain in the arm or jaw, nausea, sweating, tiredness or shortness of breath.
Read how to spot a heart attack and what to do next.
Do not wait for symptoms to improve before seeking help.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
You may wish to ask:
• What should my blood pressure target be?
• How often should I check my blood pressure?
• Should I monitor it at home?
• Is my monitor suitable and accurate?
• Could any of my medicines affect my blood pressure?
• Which lifestyle changes would help me most?
• Do I need blood pressure medicine?
• When should I arrange another appointment?
Take your recorded readings and your monitor to your appointment when requested.
For more ideas, use this heart health checklist of questions to ask your doctor.
The Bottom Line
High blood pressure often develops without obvious symptoms.
Regular checks can help identify a problem before it causes serious damage. When home monitoring is recommended, correct technique and a validated upper arm monitor can make your results more useful.
Healthy eating, regular movement, not smoking, limiting alcohol and taking prescribed medicine may all form part of your management plan.
Your doctor can help you understand your numbers and decide which steps are right for you.
Related AtheroCare Reading
Cholesterol Is Not Just About What Is on Your Plate
Learn why cholesterol results and other cardiovascular tests may provide important information about your health.
Family History of Heart Disease: What Does It Mean for You?
Learn how genetics and daily habits may work together to influence your cardiovascular risk.
The Critical Connection Between Sleep and Heart Health
Learn how sleep quality may affect blood pressure, inflammation and cardiovascular recovery.
How to Spot a Heart Attack and What to Do Next
Learn how to recognise possible heart attack symptoms and when to seek emergency help.
References
National Heart Foundation of Australia: Blood Pressure and Your Heart
Healthdirect Australia: High Blood Pressure
Healthdirect Australia: Blood Pressure Monitoring at Home
Better Health Channel: Blood Pressure
Hypertension Australia: Blood Pressure Resources
Medical Disclaimer
This article is provided for general information and education only. It is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Always speak with a qualified healthcare professional about your blood pressure, symptoms, medicines and personal cardiovascular risk. Do not begin, stop or change any treatment based only on information in this article.
