In short: High blood pressure (hypertension) means the pressure in your arteries is consistently too high. It affects about 1 in 3 Australian adults and usually causes no symptoms, but over time it raises your risk of heart attack, stroke and kidney disease. The good news is it can usually be controlled well with lifestyle changes and, where needed, medicines.
What Is Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps. It is written as two numbers, for example 120/80 mmHg:
- The top number (systolic) is the pressure when your heart beats and pushes blood out
- The bottom number (diastolic) is the pressure when your heart relaxes between beats
Blood pressure naturally rises and falls through the day. It is only a concern when it stays high over time.
What Is a Healthy Blood Pressure?
For most adults, a blood pressure under about 120/80 mmHg is considered ideal, and readings below roughly 130/85 mmHg are generally regarded as normal. Blood pressure is usually considered high (hypertension) when readings are consistently above 140/90 mmHg. Your healthy target can depend on your age and other health conditions, so your GP will advise what is right for you.
Why Does High Blood Pressure Matter?
High blood pressure is often called a "silent" condition because it usually causes no symptoms — many people do not know they have it. Yet over time, the extra strain it places on your arteries and heart increases the risk of serious problems, including:
- Heart attack and heart failure
- Stroke
- Kidney disease
- Problems with vision
Because there are usually no warning signs, the only way to know your blood pressure is to have it measured. This is one reason regular check-ups matter, even when you feel well.
What Are the Symptoms of High Blood Pressure?
Most people with high blood pressure have no symptoms at all. Occasionally, very high blood pressure can cause headaches, but you cannot rely on how you feel to tell whether your blood pressure is high. If you ever have a severe headache with chest pain, breathlessness, vision changes or weakness, seek urgent medical care.
What Causes High Blood Pressure?
For most people, no single cause is found, and several factors contribute. Things that can raise your risk include:
- Increasing age
- A family history of high blood pressure
- Being above a healthy weight
- A diet high in salt
- Not being physically active
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Smoking
- Long-term stress
Less commonly, high blood pressure can be related to another condition or to certain medicines. Your GP can help identify what may be contributing in your case.
How Is High Blood Pressure Diagnosed?
A single high reading does not necessarily mean you have hypertension, because blood pressure varies. Your GP will usually take readings on more than one occasion. To get a clearer picture, they may also recommend:
- Home blood pressure monitoring — taking readings at home over several days
- 24-hour ambulatory monitoring — wearing a device that measures your blood pressure as you go about your day
Your GP may also check for other risk factors, for example with a blood test for cholesterol and blood sugar, to understand your overall heart health.
How Is High Blood Pressure Managed?
The aim is to bring your blood pressure into a healthier range and lower your overall risk. Management usually combines lifestyle changes with medicines if needed.
Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle measures are the foundation of treatment and can make a real difference:
- Reducing the salt in your diet
- Eating plenty of vegetables, fruit and wholegrains
- Being physically active most days
- Reaching and maintaining a healthy weight
- Limiting alcohol
- Quitting smoking
- Managing stress
An Accredited Practising Dietitian and other allied health professionals can support these changes.
Medicines
Many people also need blood pressure medicine, especially if their readings remain high or they have other risk factors. There are several types, and your GP will choose and adjust treatment to suit you. It is important to keep taking blood pressure medicine as prescribed, even though you feel well, and to attend reviews.
Ongoing Monitoring
High blood pressure is a long-term condition, so regular review is important. Your GP can monitor your readings, check how treatment is working, and adjust your plan over time as part of chronic disease management.
How Reliance Medical Centre Can Help
Our GPs at Reliance Medical Centre in Truganina can check your blood pressure, investigate the cause, and work with you on a plan to manage it — including lifestyle support and, where appropriate, a Heart Health Check to assess your overall cardiovascular risk.
To have your blood pressure checked, book an appointment online or call us on (03) 9958 6699.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is considered high blood pressure?
Blood pressure is generally considered high when readings are consistently above 140/90 mmHg. For most adults, a reading under about 120/80 mmHg is ideal. Because blood pressure varies through the day, a diagnosis is based on readings taken on more than one occasion, not a single measurement. Your GP will advise on your individual target.
What are the symptoms of high blood pressure?
Most people with high blood pressure have no symptoms, which is why it is often called a "silent" condition. You cannot tell from how you feel whether your blood pressure is high — the only way to know is to have it measured. Very high blood pressure can occasionally cause headaches, but symptoms are not a reliable guide.
How is high blood pressure diagnosed?
Because blood pressure varies, your GP will usually take readings on more than one occasion before diagnosing hypertension. They may also recommend home blood pressure monitoring over several days, or a 24-hour monitor you wear as you go about your day, to get a clearer picture. Other tests may check your overall heart health.
Can high blood pressure be lowered without medication?
For some people, lifestyle changes alone can lower blood pressure — including reducing salt, eating well, being active, losing excess weight, limiting alcohol and quitting smoking. Others also need medicine, especially if readings stay high or there are other risk factors. Your GP will advise the right approach for you, and lifestyle changes help either way.
Why do I need to keep taking blood pressure medication if I feel fine?
High blood pressure usually causes no symptoms, so feeling fine does not mean it is controlled. Blood pressure medicines work by keeping your pressure in a healthier range, which lowers your long-term risk of heart attack, stroke and kidney disease. Stopping suddenly can let your blood pressure rise again, so always talk to your GP before changing treatment.
How often should I get my blood pressure checked?
How often depends on your readings and risk factors. Adults are encouraged to have their blood pressure checked regularly even when well, since it can rise without symptoms. If you have high blood pressure or other risk factors, your GP will recommend a schedule for monitoring, which may include checking at home.
Trusted Sources for Further Reading
- Healthdirect Australia — High blood pressure (hypertension) and What is a healthy blood pressure?
- Heart Foundation — Blood pressure and your heart
- Better Health Channel (Victorian Government) — Blood pressure
This article is for general information only and does not replace professional medical advice. Blood pressure targets and treatment are individual. Please do not start, stop or change any medicine without guidance. If you have concerns, please consult your GP.
