High blood pressure usually has no symptoms — which is why it's called the silent killer. The good news: it's easy to monitor at home and responds well to consistent treatment and habits.
Measure it right
- Sit quietly for five minutes first, feet flat on the floor, back supported.
- Rest your arm on a table at heart level; no coffee, exercise or smoking in the 30 minutes before.
- Take two readings a minute apart, morning and evening, and record both.
A single high reading is not a diagnosis — patterns over a week tell the real story. Bring your log to a clinician.
What the numbers mean
Under 120/80 is optimal. Consistently at or above 140/90 needs medical attention. In between, lifestyle changes are your best lever.
Habits that genuinely help
- Cut salt — most of it hides in processed food, stock cubes and bread.
- Move daily — a brisk 30-minute walk lowers pressure measurably.
- Take medication consistently — antihypertensives only work when taken every day, not only when you feel unwell.
Never stop blood-pressure medication on your own because a reading looks good — that reading is the medicine working. Talk to your doctor first.
This article is general information, not a diagnosis. Our pharmacists offer free blood-pressure checks at every branch.
