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Blood pressure screening is recommended for all adults ≥18 years of age.

What is high blood pressure?

High blood pressure = hypertension

High blood pressure happens when there is too much pressure in your blood vessels.

Blood pressure is the force of blood pumped by the heart on the blood vessels. It is reported as two numbers. The top number is systolic blood pressure, or the pressure your blood is pushing against your artery when your heart beats. The bottom number is diastolic pressure, or the pressure your blood is pushing against while the heart muscle rests between beats.

Blood pressure is measured using millimetres of mercury (mmHg), which is a standardized measurement of pressure.

Why does high blood pressure happen?

Anyone can develop high blood pressure, but it becomes more common as you get older as your blood vessels naturally stiffen.

Consequences of high blood pressure

Stroke

Kidney disease

Heart Attack

Heart Attack

Kidney disease

Heart Attack

Kidney disease

Kidney disease

Kidney disease

Eye Problems

Heart Failure

Kidney disease

Heart Failure

Heart Failure

Heart Failure

Dementia

Heart Failure

Heart Failure

Can I do anything to prevent high blood pressure?

Exercise

Exercise

Exercise

Strive for 150 to 300 minutes of aerobic exercise per week.

Diet

Exercise

Exercise

Eat a low-salt (<2000mg/day) diet. Follow the Mediteranean or DASH diet.

Obesity

Exercise

Diabetes

Strive to maintain a healthy weight.

Diabetes

Smoking & Alcohol

Diabetes

Ensure your blood sugars are well controlled.

Sleep Apnea

Smoking & Alcohol

Smoking & Alcohol

Get screened for sleep apnea if you snore; if diagnosed, use recommended devices such as a CPAP

Smoking & Alcohol

Smoking & Alcohol

Smoking & Alcohol

Quit smoking. Reduce alcohol consumption; drinking less is better.

What is my blood pressure target?

Less than 140/90 mgHg

Blood pressure target for most people is less than 140 systolic over less than 90 diastolic.

Lower targets are recommended for people with diabetes and those at higher risk of heart disease.

Where can I get screened?

Participating locations

Where can I find more info?

Learn More

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