Most people who have high blood pressure will not experience any symptoms, even if their levels could be considered dangerously high. So if you live with obesity or any other risk factors for high blood pressure, having your levels measured at least once a year by a healthcare professional is an important part of your overall care.
In most countries, your family doctor can check your blood pressure. In some countries, pharmacies also have blood pressure testing machines to check your blood pressure in store.
Knowing if you have high blood pressure is important to take steps to manage the condition and work towards lowering your overall risk of heart disease, heart attack or stroke, in consultation with your healthcare team.
While there is no ‘cure’ for high blood pressure, there are many widely available medicines for it, and adopting healthier lifestyle habits (e.g. not smoking, exercising and eating a balanced diet), can help and prevent high blood pressure.
If you or a loved one struggles with their weight, it doesn’t mean high blood pressure is inevitable, but it is best to regularly measure your levels with a healthcare professional, to support any additional steps to look after your health.