Blood pressure
Blood pressure is the force of blood against your artery walls. Chronically high blood pressure gradually damages the heart, vessels, kidneys and brain.
Blood pressure at a glance
For whom
Everyone from middle age; measure at home if you are at risk.
Not for whom
A single high reading is not a diagnosis; measure repeatedly and calmly.
In practice
Less salt, weight loss, exercise and moderate alcohol; medication where needed.
Key caveats
A resting home measurement is more reliable than a one-off reading at the doctor.
Known
Not yet
What popular health podcasts claimed about blood pressure, checked against the research.
We follow the latest research on blood pressure and listen to leading health podcasts, and we check what they claim. You'll get one email on Thursdays with what matters, and only when there's something new.
You can add more topics later, such as exercise or sleep.