What Is Blood Pressure?
When your heart beats, it pumps blood through your arteries. Blood pressure is the force of that blood pushing against the artery walls. It is measured with two numbers:
- Systolic pressure (top number) — pressure when your heart beats
- Diastolic pressure (bottom number) — pressure when your heart rests between beats
Elevated: 120–129 / less than 80
High Blood Pressure Stage 1: 130–139 / 80–89
High Blood Pressure Stage 2: 140 or higher / 90 or higher
Hypertensive Crisis: Above 180/120 — seek emergency care immediately
Why Is It Called the Silent Killer?
Most people with high blood pressure feel completely normal. There are usually no headaches, no pain, no obvious signs. Meanwhile, the high pressure is slowly damaging the walls of your arteries, making the heart work harder than it should, and increasing the risk of:
- Stroke — a blood vessel in the brain bursts or is blocked
- Heart attack — a blocked artery prevents blood reaching the heart
- Kidney damage — high pressure damages the small blood vessels in the kidneys
- Vision loss — damaged blood vessels in the eyes
Who Is at Risk?
High blood pressure is more common than most people realise. You are at higher risk if you:
- Are over the age of 40
- Have a family member with high blood pressure or heart disease
- Eat a lot of salt or salty foods
- Are overweight or obese
- Drink alcohol regularly
- Smoke or chew tobacco
- Are under a lot of stress
- Do not exercise regularly
- Have diabetes
Lifestyle Changes That Lower Blood Pressure
Before medication, lifestyle changes can make a significant difference — and they work alongside medication for those who need it.
Reduce Salt Intake
Salt causes the body to retain fluid, which raises blood pressure. Reduce salt in cooking, avoid processed and packaged foods, and do not add extra salt at the table. The target is less than 5g of salt per day (about one teaspoon).
Exercise Regularly
Even 30 minutes of brisk walking five days a week can lower blood pressure by 5–8 mmHg. Exercise strengthens the heart so it can pump more efficiently with less effort.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Every kilogram of weight lost can reduce blood pressure by about 1 mmHg. Losing even a moderate amount of weight makes a real difference.
Limit Alcohol and Stop Smoking
Both alcohol and smoking raise blood pressure and directly damage blood vessel walls. Stopping smoking is one of the single most important things you can do for your cardiovascular health.
Manage Stress
Chronic stress keeps blood pressure elevated. Deep breathing, prayer, spending time with family, and regular rest all help manage stress levels.
Medication for High Blood Pressure
Many people with hypertension need medication to bring their blood pressure under control. This is not a weakness — it is a medical necessity, the same as taking medication for any other condition. Common medications include:
- ACE inhibitors (e.g., lisinopril) — relax blood vessels
- Calcium channel blockers (e.g., amlodipine) — widen arteries
- Diuretics (e.g., hydrochlorothiazide) — remove excess fluid and salt
- Beta-blockers — slow the heart rate and reduce its workload
Blood Pressure Medications Available at Ducor Pharmacy
We stock a wide range of prescription blood pressure medications. Bring your doctor's prescription and our pharmacist will ensure you have the right medication and dosage.
View Prescription Medications →
