Hypertension, or High Blood Pressure, can be defined as the force that the blood exerts on the veins and arteries while it circulates around the body.

Blood pressure is controlled by a variety of organs and body systems, including the heart, the blood vessels, the kidneys, the brain and the adrenal glands, as well as the complex interaction between the body systems.

We measure blood pressure by using two different numbers - systolic pressure (the top number) over diastolic pressure (the bottom number). Systolic pressure measures blood pressure as the heart contracts and pushes blood through the arteries. Diastolic pressure is taken when the heart relaxes.

Normal blood pressure is around 120/80 or lower. It is important to note that blood pressure varies from person to person and can fluctuate from moment to moment. One or two high readings does not necessarily mean that you have hypertension or high blood pressure.

If your blood pressure has measured 140/90 or higher on at least two separate occasions, your doctor should recommend a 24 hour BP (blood pressure) monitor, which will show whether your BP remains chronically high. This will help to measure whether you have hypertension or high blood pressure.

How do I know whether I have hypertension or high blood pressure?

Hypertension is sometimes known as the Silent Killer, because it often has no symptoms at all.

Sometimes people with high blood pressure experience headaches, dizziness or a ringing sound in their ears, but these symptoms may also be due to other causes.

The best way to find out whether you have high blood pressure is to visit your doctor, homeopath, naturopath or other health care provider.