Left unchecked and untreated, high blood pressure increases your risk of a heart attack or stroke, and other heart conditions. However, there are simple steps you can take to reduce this risk.

Why does blood pressure matter? 

Each time your heart beats it pushes blood through your arteries around your body. The force of this pushing is your blood pressure. 

If your blood pressure stays too high for too long, it makes your heart work harder. This increases your risk of a heart attack or stroke.  

Keeping your blood pressure in a healthy range helps protect your heart and your health.

What is normal blood pressure? 

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For most people an ideal blood pressure is 120/80 or lower. 

For people already on high blood pressure medication, the target blood pressure is 130/80 or below. 

However, the blood pressure that is 'ideal' for you depends on many factors, including your overall risk of heart attack and stroke. 

If you don’t know your blood pressure numbers, ask your doctor or nurse to check them at your next visit, or get them checked at your local pharmacy. 

You can also buy a blood pressure monitor from most pharmacies to use at home.

More about home blood pressure monitoring

For more information on managing and lowering blood pressure, as well as other helpful resources, visit our blood pressure hub. 

Learn more