High Blood Pressure: Silent Symptoms, Serious Risks, and Proven Ways to Lower It
Medically reviewed by Dr. Baraa Alnahhal, MD · Last reviewed: October 2026
TL;DR
High blood pressure (hypertension) means the force of blood pushing against artery walls is consistently too high — usually defined as a reading of 130/80 mm Hg or greater. It rarely causes symptoms, which is why it earns the nickname "the silent killer." Left uncontrolled, it damages the heart, brain, kidneys, and eyes. The good news: regular screening, lifestyle changes such as the DASH diet, exercise, and limiting salt, and — when needed — medication can bring blood pressure back to a safe range.
Quick Answer: What Is High Blood Pressure?
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a condition in which blood consistently pushes against artery walls with too much force. It is defined as a reading of 130/80 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) or higher, measured in two numbers: systolic (top) and diastolic (bottom). Most people have no symptoms, yet untreated hypertension raises the risk of heart attack, stroke, and organ damage. Treatment combines lifestyle changes — healthier diet, regular exercise, weight control, and limiting alcohol — with medication when needed, aiming for a goal under 130/80 mm Hg for most adults. [1][2]
What the research says
It is silent, common, and often uncontrolled. A pooled analysis of 1,201 population-representative studies with 104 million participants estimated that the number of adults aged 30–79 with hypertension doubled between 1990 and 2019, reaching 626 million women and 652 million men. In 2019, only 23% of women and 18% of men with hypertension had it controlled below 140/90 mm Hg (NCD-RisC, Lancet, 202101330-1) [3]).
Every 10 mm Hg drop in systolic pressure lowers the risk of events. In a meta-analysis of 123 studies with 613,815 participants, each 10 mm Hg reduction in systolic blood pressure reduced major cardiovascular events by 20% (RR 0.80), stroke by 27% (RR 0.73), heart failure by 28% (RR 0.72), and all-cause mortality by 13% (RR 0.87) (Ettehad et al., Lancet, 201601225-8) [4]).
The DASH diet lowers blood pressure. Across 17 randomized trials with 2,561 participants, the DASH diet reduced systolic blood pressure by 6.74 mm Hg and diastolic by 3.54 mm Hg, with greater drops in people with hypertension and in trials that also restricted calories (Saneei et al., Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis, 2014 [5]).
What Is High Blood Pressure?
High blood pressure is a common condition that affects the body's arteries. It is also called hypertension. When you have high blood pressure, the force of blood pushing against the artery walls is consistently too high. As a result, the heart has to work harder to pump blood through the body.
Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury, written as mm Hg. In general, hypertension means a reading of 130/80 mm Hg or higher. Every reading contains two numbers. The top number, called systolic pressure, measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats. The bottom number, called diastolic pressure, measures the pressure in the arteries between heartbeats.
Hypertension affects up to 40 percent of adults and is one of the most common conditions for which medications are prescribed. Untreated, it increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other serious health problems.
Understanding Your Blood Pressure Numbers
Cardiology and heart health organizations divide blood pressure into general categories. Knowing your category helps you understand your risk and what steps to take next.
Category | Systolic (Top Number) | Diastolic (Bottom Number) | What It Means |
Normal | Lower than 120 mm Hg | Lower than 80 mm Hg | Ideal range; keep up healthy habits |
Elevated | 120 to 129 mm Hg | Below 80 mm Hg | A warning zone; lifestyle changes recommended |
Stage 1 hypertension | 130 to 139 mm Hg | 80 to 89 mm Hg | Mild hypertension; lifestyle changes plus possibly medication |
Stage 2 hypertension | 140 mm Hg or higher | 90 mm Hg or higher | Moderate-to-severe; usually requires medication |
Hypertensive crisis | Higher than 180 mm Hg | Higher than 120 mm Hg | Medical emergency; seek emergency help immediately |
A reading above 180/120 mm Hg is considered a hypertensive emergency or crisis. Anyone with these numbers should seek emergency medical help right away.
Isolated Systolic Hypertension
Sometimes the bottom number is normal (below 80 mm Hg) but the top number is high. This pattern is called isolated systolic hypertension. It is a common type of high blood pressure in people older than 65.
Why High Blood Pressure Is Called the "Silent Killer"
Most people with high blood pressure have no symptoms, even when readings reach dangerously high levels. You can live with high blood pressure for years without feeling anything at all.
A few people with high blood pressure may experience headaches, shortness of breath, or nosebleeds. However, these symptoms are not specific to high blood pressure. They usually do not occur until the condition has reached a severe or life-threatening stage.
Because it hides so well, hypertension is often only discovered during a routine checkup. This is exactly why regular screening matters so much.
When to See a Doctor
Blood pressure screening is an important part of general health care. How often you should be checked depends on your age and overall health.
Situation | Recommended Screening Frequency |
Adults starting at age 18 | At least every 2 years |
Adults age 40 or older | Every year |
Adults 18 to 39 with high risk | Every year |
Adults with high blood pressure or heart disease risk factors | More frequent, as your provider recommends |
Children age 3 and older | At yearly checkups |
If you do not see a care provider regularly, free blood pressure screenings may be available at health resource fairs or community locations. Some stores and pharmacies also have free blood pressure machines. The accuracy of these machines depends on several things, including correct cuff size and proper use. Ask your health care provider for advice on using public blood pressure machines.
What Causes High Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure is determined by two things: the amount of blood the heart pumps and how hard it is for blood to move through the arteries. The more blood the heart pumps and the narrower the arteries, the higher the blood pressure.
There are two main types of high blood pressure, and the cause differs between them.
Type | Also Known As | Cause | How It Develops |
Primary hypertension | Essential hypertension | No identifiable cause | Develops gradually over many years |
Secondary hypertension | — | An underlying condition or medication | Appears suddenly and often causes higher readings |
For most adults, there is no identifiable cause of high blood pressure. This is called primary hypertension, or essential hypertension. It tends to develop gradually over many years. Plaque buildup in the arteries, called atherosclerosis, increases the risk.
Secondary hypertension is caused by an underlying condition. It tends to appear suddenly and cause higher blood pressure than primary hypertension. Conditions and medicines that can lead to secondary hypertension include adrenal gland tumors, blood vessel problems present at birth (congenital heart defects), kidney disease, obstructive sleep apnea, thyroid problems, and certain drugs.
The drugs involved can include cough and cold medicines, some pain relievers, birth control pills, other prescription medications, and illegal drugs such as cocaine and amphetamines.
Sometimes simply getting a health checkup causes blood pressure to rise. This reaction is called white coat hypertension.
Risk Factors You Can't Ignore
High blood pressure has many risk factors. Some are things you cannot change, but many are within your control.
Risk Factor | Why It Matters |
Age | Risk increases with age; more common in men until about 64, and in women after 65 |
Race | Particularly common among Black people, and develops at an earlier age |
Family history | A parent or sibling with the condition raises your risk |
Obesity or overweight | Excess weight changes blood vessels and kidneys in ways that raise pressure |
Lack of exercise | Inactivity can cause weight gain and higher heart rates |
Tobacco use or vaping | Raises pressure immediately; damages vessel walls and hardens arteries |
Too much salt | Sodium makes the body retain fluid, increasing blood pressure |
Low potassium | Potassium balances salt in the body's cells; low levels strain the heart |
Excess alcohol | Linked with increased blood pressure, particularly in men |
Stress | Causes temporary spikes; stress habits compound the effect |
Chronic conditions | Kidney disease, diabetes, and sleep apnea all contribute |
Pregnancy | Sometimes causes high blood pressure |
Adults are most commonly affected, but children can have high blood pressure too. In children, it may be caused by problems with the kidneys or heart. For a growing number of kids, the cause is lifestyle habits such as an unhealthy diet and lack of exercise.
Complications: What Happens When High Blood Pressure Goes Untreated
The excessive pressure on artery walls caused by high blood pressure can damage blood vessels and body organs. The higher the blood pressure and the longer it goes uncontrolled, the greater the damage.
Complication | How High Blood Pressure Causes It |
Heart attack or stroke | Arteries harden and thicken, raising the risk of both |
Aneurysm | Pressure weakens and bulges a blood vessel; a rupture can be life-threatening |
Heart failure | The heart works harder and the pumping chamber walls thicken (left ventricular hypertrophy) until it cannot pump enough blood |
Kidney problems | Blood vessels in the kidneys narrow or weaken, leading to kidney damage |
Eye problems | Blood vessels in the eyes thicken, narrow, or tear, which can result in vision loss |
Metabolic syndrome | A cluster of disorders including increased waist size, high triglycerides, low "good" HDL cholesterol, high blood pressure, and high blood sugar |
Memory and understanding changes | Uncontrolled pressure may affect the ability to think, remember, and learn |
Dementia | Narrowed or blocked arteries limit blood flow to the brain, causing vascular dementia |
Metabolic syndrome raises the likelihood of developing diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. The pattern is clear: the longer high blood pressure stays uncontrolled, the more systems in the body pay the price.
How High Blood Pressure Is Diagnosed
A health care provider diagnoses high blood pressure by examining you and asking about your medical history and symptoms. The provider listens to your heart using a device called a stethoscope.
Your blood pressure is checked using a cuff, usually placed around the arm. It is important that the cuff fits. If it is too big or too small, readings can vary. The cuff is inflated using a small hand pump or a machine.
The first time your blood pressure is checked, it should be measured in both arms to see if there is a difference. After that, the arm with the higher reading should be used.
High blood pressure is diagnosed if the reading equals or exceeds 130/80 mm Hg. A diagnosis is usually based on the average of two or more readings taken on separate occasions. Grouping blood pressure by how high it is — called staging — helps guide treatment.
Tests Your Provider May Order
If you are diagnosed with high blood pressure, your provider may recommend tests to check for a cause.
Test | What It Checks |
Ambulatory monitoring | Blood pressure at regular intervals over 6 or 24 hours; devices are not available in all centers |
Lab tests | Blood and urine tests for cholesterol, blood sugar, and kidney, liver, and thyroid function |
Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) | The heart's electrical activity; shows whether the heart is beating too fast or too slow |
Echocardiogram | Sound-wave images of the beating heart showing how blood moves through the heart and valves |
Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring is a longer test that checks pressure at regular times over six or 24 hours. However, the devices used are not available in all medical centers, so it is worth checking with your insurer about coverage.
Monitoring at Home
Your provider may ask you to check your blood pressure at home regularly. Home monitoring is a good way to keep track of your numbers. It helps your care providers know whether your medicine is working or whether your condition is getting worse.
Home blood pressure monitors are available at local stores and pharmacies. For the most reliable measurement, health organizations recommend a monitor with a cuff that goes around the upper arm. Devices that measure at the wrist or finger are not recommended because they can provide less reliable results.
For the most reliable home measurement, prepare by avoiding caffeine, exercise, and smoking for at least 30 minutes. Sit relaxed with your feet on the floor, legs uncrossed, and your back supported for at least five minutes. Keep your arms supported on a flat surface. After resting, take at least two readings one minute apart — in the morning before medications and in the evening before the evening meal. Have your monitor checked for proper calibration every year.
How Is High Blood Pressure Treated?
Changing your lifestyle can help control and manage high blood pressure. Your health care provider may recommend eating a heart-healthy diet with less salt, getting regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight or losing weight, limiting alcohol, not smoking, and getting 7 to 9 hours of sleep daily.
Sometimes lifestyle changes are not enough. If they do not help, your provider may recommend medicine to lower your blood pressure.
Your Blood Pressure Treatment Goal
When taking blood pressure medicine, it is important to know your goal level. You should aim for a blood pressure treatment goal of less than 130/80 mm Hg if you are a healthy adult age 65 or older, a healthy adult younger than 65 with a 10 percent or higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease in the next 10 years, or you have chronic kidney disease, diabetes, or coronary artery disease.
The ideal blood pressure goal can vary with age and health conditions, particularly if you are older than 65.
Blood Pressure Medications
The type of medicine used depends on your overall health and how high your blood pressure is. Two or more blood pressure drugs often work better than one, and it can take time to find the medicine or combination that works best for you.
Medication Class | How It Works | Common Examples |
Diuretics (water pills) | Remove sodium and water from the body; often first used | Chlorthalidone, hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide) |
ACE inhibitors | Relax blood vessels by blocking formation of a vessel-narrowing chemical | Lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), benazepril (Lotensin), captopril |
Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) | Relax blood vessels by blocking the action of a vessel-narrowing chemical | Candesartan (Atacand), losartan (Cozaar) |
Calcium channel blockers | Relax blood vessel muscles; some slow heart rate | Amlodipine (Norvasc), diltiazem (Cardizem) |
Diuretics come in different classes, including thiazide, loop, and potassium-sparing. Which one your provider recommends depends on your readings and other health conditions, such as kidney disease or heart failure. A common side effect is increased urination, which can lower potassium levels. If you have low potassium (hypokalemia), your provider may recommend a potassium-sparing diuretic containing triamterene.
Calcium channel blockers may work better for older people and Black people than ACE inhibitors alone. One important caution: do not eat or drink grapefruit products while taking calcium channel blockers. Grapefruit increases blood levels of certain calcium channel blockers, which can be dangerous.
If you are having trouble reaching your goal with those combinations, your provider may also prescribe alpha blockers (doxazosin, prazosin), alpha-beta blockers (carvedilol, labetalol), beta blockers (atenolol, metoprolol), aldosterone antagonists (spironolactone, eplerenone) for resistant hypertension, renin inhibitors (aliskiren), vasodilators (hydralazine, minoxidil), or central-acting agents (clonidine, guanfacine, methyldopa).
Beta blockers are not usually recommended as the only medicine prescribed; they may work best combined with other drugs. Renin inhibitors such as aliskiren should not be taken with ACE inhibitors or ARBs due to a risk of serious complications, including stroke.
Always take blood pressure medicines as prescribed. Never skip a dose or abruptly stop taking them. Suddenly stopping certain medicines, such as beta blockers, can cause a sharp increase in blood pressure called rebound hypertension. If you skip doses because of cost, side effects, or forgetfulness, talk to your care provider about solutions. Do not change your treatment without your provider's guidance.
Resistant Hypertension
You may have resistant hypertension if you take at least three different blood pressure drugs, including a diuretic, but your blood pressure remains stubbornly high. You may also be considered to have it if you are taking four different medicines to control your blood pressure — in which case your provider should check for a possible second cause.
Having resistant hypertension does not mean your blood pressure will never get lower. If you and your provider can determine the cause, a more effective treatment plan can be created. Treatment may involve changing medicines to find the best combination and dosage, reviewing all medicines including over-the-counter ones, checking blood pressure at home to rule out white coat hypertension, and committing to healthy eating, weight management, and other lifestyle changes.
High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy
If you have high blood pressure and are pregnant, discuss with your care providers how to control blood pressure during your pregnancy.
Potential Future Treatments
Researchers have also studied renal denervation, a technique that uses heat to destroy specific nerves in the kidney that may play a role in resistant hypertension. Early studies showed some benefit, but more robust studies found that it does not significantly lower blood pressure in people with resistant hypertension. More research is underway.
Lifestyle Changes That Lower Blood Pressure
A commitment to a healthy lifestyle can help prevent and manage high blood pressure. Several heart-healthy strategies have been shown to make a real difference.
Lifestyle Change | What to Do | The Payoff |
Eat healthy foods | Follow the DASH diet: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, poultry, fish, low-fat dairy; plenty of potassium; less saturated and trans fat | Supports heart health and lowers pressure |
Use less salt | Limit processed meats, canned foods, commercial soups, frozen dinners, and certain breads; check food labels | Sodium of 1,500 mg a day or less is ideal for most adults |
Limit alcohol | Up to one drink a day for women, up to two for men | Prevents alcohol-related pressure increases |
Don't smoke | Quit tobacco in all forms, including vaping | Protects blood vessel walls from damage |
Maintain a healthy weight | Lose excess weight if overweight | Pressure drops about 1 mm Hg per 2.2 pounds (1 kg) lost |
Get more exercise | At least 150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity | Can lower systolic pressure by about 11 mm Hg and diastolic by about 5 mm Hg |
Practice good sleep habits | 7 to 9 hours of sleep daily; consistent bed and wake times | Poor sleep raises the risk of heart disease |
Manage stress | Exercise, mindfulness, and support groups | Reduces emotional stress and its effects on pressure |
Try slow, deep breathing | 5 to 7 deep breaths per minute with mindfulness techniques | A reasonable nondrug option recognized by heart health organizations |
Getting potassium from natural food sources can help lower blood pressure. Regular exercise also eases stress, manages weight, and reduces the risk of chronic health conditions.
About Supplements
Diet and exercise are the best ways to lower blood pressure, but some supplements are promoted as heart-healthy. These include fiber such as blond psyllium and wheat bran; minerals such as magnesium, calcium, and potassium; folic acid; products that increase nitric oxide or widen blood vessels such as cocoa, coenzyme Q10, L-arginine, and garlic; and omega-3 fatty acids found in fatty fish, high-dose fish oil supplements, and flaxseed.
Researchers are also studying whether vitamin D can reduce blood pressure, but the evidence is conflicting and more research is needed. Talk to your care provider before adding any supplements to your blood pressure treatment. Some can interact with medicines, causing harmful side effects that could be life-threatening.
Deep breathing or mindfulness may temporarily reduce blood pressure.
Coping With High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is not something you can treat and then ignore. It is a condition that requires regular health checkups. Taking medicines as directed, scheduling regular health checkups, choosing healthy habits, managing stress, asking for help from friends and family, and joining a support group all make long-term control more achievable.
It takes a team effort to treat high blood pressure successfully. Work with your provider to bring your blood pressure to a safe level and keep it there. Sticking to lifestyle changes can be difficult, especially since high blood pressure rarely causes symptoms you can feel.
Preparing for Your Appointment
If you think you may have high blood pressure, make an appointment with your health care provider for a blood pressure test. Wearing a short-sleeved shirt makes it easier to place the cuff around your arm. No special preparations are necessary, but to get an accurate reading, avoid caffeine, exercise, and tobacco for at least 30 minutes before the test.
Because some medicines can raise blood pressure, bring a list of all medicines, vitamins, and supplements you take, along with their doses. Do not stop taking any medicines without your provider's advice. Since appointments can be brief, it helps to prepare in advance.
Write down any symptoms you are having, even though high blood pressure rarely causes them. Let your provider know about chest pain or shortness of breath, since this can help them decide how aggressively to treat you. Also write down important medical information, including any family history of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, or diabetes, plus any major stresses or recent life changes.
Consider taking a family member or friend along. They may remember something you missed. Be prepared to discuss your diet and exercise habits, and write down your questions from most to least important.
Questions Worth Asking
Some basic questions to ask your provider include what kinds of tests you will need, what your blood pressure goal is, whether you need any medicines, whether a generic alternative exists, what foods to eat or avoid, what level of physical activity is appropriate, how often you need appointments, whether you should monitor at home, and how to manage other health conditions together.
Your provider will likely ask about your family history of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or heart disease, your diet and exercise habits, whether you drink alcohol and how much, whether you smoke, and when you last had your blood pressure checked and what the result was.
Conclusion: Take Control of Your Numbers
High blood pressure is dangerous precisely because it stays hidden. Most people feel completely fine while elevated pressure quietly damages their heart, brain, kidneys, and eyes. But hypertension is also one of the most manageable conditions in medicine. A simple screening takes minutes. Lifestyle changes can lower your numbers substantially, and effective medications are available when lifestyle alone is not enough.
Do not wait for symptoms — they usually never come. Get screened regularly starting at age 18, learn your numbers, and work with your care team on a plan that fits your life.
Ready to protect your heart? Talk with a health care provider about getting your blood pressure checked today — and explore more heart-health guides in our library to stay one step ahead of hypertension.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is considered high blood pressure?
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is generally defined as a reading of 130/80 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) or higher. The top number (systolic) is 130 or above, or the bottom number (diastolic) is 80 or above. A diagnosis is usually based on the average of two or more readings taken on separate occasions.
Does high blood pressure cause symptoms?
Most people with high blood pressure have no symptoms, even at dangerously high levels. You can have it for years without knowing. A few people may experience headaches, shortness of breath, or nosebleeds, but these are not specific to high blood pressure and usually appear only at a severe or life-threatening stage.
What are the four blood pressure categories?
Blood pressure is divided into four general categories: normal (below 120/80 mm Hg), elevated (systolic 120–129 with diastolic below 80), stage 1 hypertension (systolic 130–139 or diastolic 80–89), and stage 2 hypertension (systolic 140 or higher or diastolic 90 or higher).
What is a hypertensive crisis?
A blood pressure reading higher than 180/120 mm Hg is considered a hypertensive emergency or crisis. Anyone with these numbers should seek emergency medical help immediately, as the risk of organ damage is high at this level.
What causes high blood pressure?
Blood pressure depends on how much blood the heart pumps and how narrow the arteries are. Most adults have primary (essential) hypertension with no identifiable cause, which develops gradually over years. Secondary hypertension is caused by an underlying condition, such as kidney disease, thyroid problems, obstructive sleep apnea, adrenal tumors, or certain medications.
Who is at risk for high blood pressure?
Key risk factors include older age, Black race, family history, obesity, physical inactivity, tobacco use or vaping, high salt intake, low potassium, excess alcohol, stress, chronic conditions such as kidney disease or diabetes, and pregnancy. Risk rises with age and differs by sex: it is more common in men until about age 64 and in women after 65.
How often should I get my blood pressure checked?
Adults should have their blood pressure checked at least every two years starting at age 18. People age 40 or older, or adults 18 to 39 with a high risk of high blood pressure, should be checked every year. Providers recommend more frequent readings for those with high blood pressure or other heart disease risk factors.
How can I lower blood pressure without medication?
Staying physically active, losing weight, limiting alcohol, reducing sodium intake, and increasing dietary potassium have all been shown to reduce blood pressure. Consistent moderate-to-high-intensity workouts can lower systolic pressure by about 11 mm Hg and diastolic by about 5 mm Hg.
What is the DASH diet?
The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet is a heart-healthy eating pattern that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, poultry, fish, and low-fat dairy foods. It includes plenty of potassium from natural sources, which can help lower blood pressure, and less saturated fat and trans fat.
What is the treatment goal for high blood pressure?
For most adults, the treatment goal is a blood pressure below 130/80 mm Hg. This applies to healthy adults age 65 or older, healthy adults under 65 with a 10 percent or higher 10-year cardiovascular disease risk, and people with chronic kidney disease, diabetes, or coronary artery disease. Goals can vary with age and health conditions.
What happens if high blood pressure is left untreated?
Uncontrolled high blood pressure damages blood vessels and organs over time. It can lead to heart attack, stroke, aneurysm, heart failure, kidney damage, vision loss, metabolic syndrome, memory problems, and vascular dementia. The higher the pressure and the longer it goes uncontrolled, the greater the damage.
References
Mayo Clinic Staff. High blood pressure (hypertension) - Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic. February 29, 2024. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/symptoms-causes/syc-20373410
Mayo Clinic Staff. High blood pressure (hypertension) - Diagnosis and treatment. Mayo Clinic. February 29, 2024. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20373417
NCD Risk Factor Collaboration (NCD-RisC). Worldwide trends in hypertension prevalence and progress in treatment and control from 1990 to 2019: a pooled analysis of 1201 population-representative studies with 104 million participants. Lancet. 2021;398(10304):957-980. PMID 34450083. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(21)01330-101330-1)
Ettehad D, Emdin CA, Kiran A, et al. Blood pressure lowering for prevention of cardiovascular disease and death: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet. 2016;387(10022):957-967. PMID 26724178. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(15)01225-801225-8)
Saneei P, Salehi-Abargouei A, Esmaillzadeh A, Azadbakht L. Influence of Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet on blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis on randomized controlled trials. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2014;24(12):1253-1261. PMID 25149893. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.numecd.2014.06.008
Further reading: Understanding Blood Pressure Readings — American Heart Association · Monitoring Your Blood Pressure at Home — American Heart Association · Know Your Risk Factors for High Blood Pressure — American Heart Association · High Blood Pressure — National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute · Hypertension in Adults: Screening — U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
This article is for general informational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional about any medical condition.
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