When doctors take your blood pressure, they're measuring how hard your blood pushes against the walls of your blood vessels as it moves around your body. If you have high blood pressure, it can damage the inside of your arteries. This makes it easier for fatty deposits to build up. So as your blood pressure rises, so does your risk of getting heart disease and having a heart attack.

High blood pressure is particularly dangerous if you have other things that make it more likely that you'll get heart disease. If your blood pressure is high, talk to your doctor about how you can lower it. To learn more, see our article on High blood pressure.

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment. ©BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2008. All rights reserved.