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Help for lowering your blood pressure and preventing disease

	If your high blood pressure goes untreated you may be at risk of a heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, or heart failure. ConsumerReportsHealth.org can help you find treatments for high blood pressure that work well.
	Subscribe to ConsumerReportsHealth.org today to find out whether medication, or diet and exercise rate best for treating high blood pressure.

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with high blood pressure, you’re not alone. Consumer Reports Health is here to help with the best research about high blood pressure, and expert evidence and advice about how to treat it.

Key points for people with high blood pressure

• High blood pressure is common, but it usually doesn't cause any symptoms, so many people don't know they have it.
• The only way you can find out if your blood pressure is high is to have it checked.
• High blood pressure that is not properly treated after many years can lead to a heart attack, heart failure, stroke, and kidney disease.
• Taking medicine or making changes to your lifestyle, such as eating less salt, exercising and losing weight, can help to keep your blood pressure down.

About 50 million American adults have high blood pressure. It's normal for your blood pressure to rise and fall throughout the day. But if it stays high for a long time (usually for at least four months), then it's called high blood pressure. No one knows exactly what goes on in your body to cause high blood pressure. But researchers think that you get it when the balance of certain chemicals in the blood is upset.

There is a whole range of treatments for lowering blood pressure, including medication, diet, and exercise. We encourage you to read our entire condition report and to consult with your doctor to learn more high blood pressure. As a Consumer Reports Health subscriber, you’ll have access to our expert research and recommendations, and you’ll be more confident and knowledgeable about which treatments are best for you.