High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)

  1. What Is High Blood Pressure?
  2. Why Is It Important to Control Blood Pressure?
  3. What Causes Hypertension?
    1. ✅ Common Causes & Risk Factors:
  4. How Is High Blood Pressure Diagnosed?
    1. Blood Pressure Categories
  5. How Is It Treated?
    1. 🥦 Lifestyle Changes
    2. 💊 Medications
  6. What Should My Blood Pressure Target Be?
  7. How to Monitor at Home
    1. Tips:
  8. Frequently Asked Questions
    1. ❓ Is low blood pressure dangerous?
    2. ❓ Will I need medication forever?
    3. ❓ Are blood pressure medications safe?
    4. ❓ Do natural supplements work?
  9. ✅ Final Takeaway
  10. Learn More
    1. 🇨🇦 Canadian Resources
    2. 🌍 International Resources

What Is High Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure—also called hypertension—means the pressure of blood against your artery walls is consistently too high. It often develops without symptoms, but over time, it can damage your heart, blood vessels, kidneys, eyes, and brain.

Your blood pressure is recorded as two numbers:

  • Systolic pressure (top number): the pressure when your heart contracts
  • Diastolic pressure (bottom number): the pressure when your heart relaxes between beats

According to Hypertension Canada:

  • Normal: less than 120/80 mm Hg
  • Hypertension: 140/90 mm Hg or higher in clinic, or 135/85 mm Hg at home
  • If you have diabetes or kidney disease, hypertension is diagnosed at 130/80 mm Hg

Why Is It Important to Control Blood Pressure?

Uncontrolled high blood pressure is one of the leading causes of preventable illness and death in Canada. It significantly increases your risk of:

  • Heart attack
  • Stroke
  • Heart failure
  • Kidney failure
  • Vision loss
  • Dementia

The good news? Hypertension is treatable and manageable.

What Causes Hypertension?

Most cases of high blood pressure develop gradually over time, without a single identifiable cause. This is called primary (or essential) hypertension, and it’s the most common type.

However, in some people, high blood pressure is caused by an underlying condition. This is known as secondary hypertension.

✅ Common Causes & Risk Factors:

  • Age: Risk increases as you get older
  • Family history: High blood pressure often runs in families
  • Being overweight or obese
  • Physical inactivity
  • Unhealthy diet – especially too much sodium and not enough potassium
  • Excessive alcohol use
  • Smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke
  • Chronic stress
  • Sleep apnea – a common but often underdiagnosed condition
  • Certain medical conditions: kidney disease, thyroid disorders, adrenal gland problems
  • Medications: some cold medications, birth control pills, steroids, and NSAIDs (e.g. ibuprofen)

If your doctor suspects secondary hypertension, they may order blood tests, urine tests, imaging, or a sleep study to investigate further.

How Is High Blood Pressure Diagnosed?

Diagnosis typically begins with blood pressure readings in clinic, but Hypertension Canada recommends confirming with:

  • Home Blood Pressure Monitoring (HBPM)
  • or 24-hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM)

🔎 You can find a list of validated home monitors here: Hypertension Canada Device Listings

Blood Pressure Categories

CategoryClinic BPHome BP
Normal< 120/80 mm Hg< 115/75 mm Hg
Elevated120–139 / 80–89115–134 / 75–84
Hypertension≥ 140/90 mm Hg≥ 135/85 mm Hg

How Is It Treated?

🥦 Lifestyle Changes

The first step is always healthy habits. These can significantly lower blood pressure and reduce cardiovascular risk.

  • Reduce salt to less than 2,000 mg per day
  • Eat a DASH-style diet (vegetables, fruit, whole grains, low-fat dairy)
  • Exercise regularly – aim for 150 minutes/week
  • Lose excess weight
  • Limit alcohol: There is no “safe” amount of alcohol. Less is better.
  • Quit smoking
  • Manage stress through deep breathing, mindfulness, or therapy

💊 Medications

If lifestyle changes aren’t enough, or your blood pressure is significantly high, your doctor may prescribe:

  • Diuretics (e.g. indapamide, chlorthalidone)
  • ACE inhibitors (e.g. ramipril) or ARBs (e.g. telmisartan)
  • Calcium channel blockers (e.g. amlodipine)
  • Beta-blockers (e.g. bisoprolol – used in certain cases)

📌 Canadian guidelines often recommend starting with two medications if BP is more than 20/10 mm Hg above target.

What Should My Blood Pressure Target Be?

Per Hypertension Canada, targets depend on your medical history.

GroupTarget (clinic BP)
Most adults< 140/90 mm Hg
With diabetes / kidney disease< 130/80 mm Hg
Older adults (>80 years)< 150/90 mm Hg (if tolerated)

Your doctor will personalize your target based on your risk profile.

How to Monitor at Home

Home monitoring is more accurate for many people. It also empowers you to stay on track.

Tips:

  • Use a validated upper-arm monitor (see device list)
  • Sit quietly for 5 minutes, feet on floor, arm supported
  • Measure twice daily for 7 days
  • Take 3 readings each time, 1 minute apart. Discard the first reading and average the second and third readings.
  • Keep a log and share it with your doctor

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is low blood pressure dangerous?

It can be, especially if you’re experiencing dizziness, fatigue, or fainting. Call your doctor if you’re consistently under 90/60 mm Hg with symptoms.

❓ Will I need medication forever?

Not necessarily. Some people can reduce or stop medications with lifestyle changes. But never make changes without your doctor’s guidance.

❓ Are blood pressure medications safe?

Yes, they are widely used and generally well tolerated. Some possible side effects:

  • Cough (especially with ACE inhibitors)
  • Lightheadedness
  • Tiredness
  • Increased urination
  • Electrolyte abnormalities (monitored with routine blood testing)

❓ Do natural supplements work?

Some may have a small effect, but none are proven substitutes for evidence-based treatment. Always check with your doctor before taking supplements.

✅ Final Takeaway

High blood pressure is common, serious—and treatable. By making healthy choices, monitoring regularly, and following medical guidance, you can take control of your health and prevent long-term complications.

Learn More

🇨🇦 Canadian Resources

🌍 International Resources