Blood Pressure

Your heart and blood pressure

Hypertension (or high blood pressure) is called the silent killer because high blood pressure itself typically does not cause noticeable symptoms. However, long-standing hypertension can actually increase your risk of both heart disease and stroke.

Sometimes, medications are required in addition to lifestyle measures to control blood pressure. Most importantly, if you have high blood pressure, you should always check with your doctor about what combination of medication and/or lifestyle changes are best for you.

To manage your blood pressure:

• Maintain a healthy body weight.
• Stop smoking.
• Limit your alcohol consumption.
• Make sure you are physically active.

For more information:

• Your weight and your heart
• Cigarette smoking and your heart
• Cholesterol and your heart
• Nutrition and your heart
• Exercise and your heart
• The heart and heart disease