A short story: what would you do?
Follow Tess to learn the warning signs and what to do. Turn on your sound for the narration.
What high blood pressure does
Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing on the walls of your arteries. It is written as two numbers, like 130/80. The top number is the pressure when your heart beats. The bottom number is the pressure when your heart rests between beats.
When pressure stays high for years, it damages the artery walls and makes the heart work harder. This raises the risk of stroke, heart attack, heart failure, kidney disease and memory problems. Every 10-point drop in the top number lowers these risks. [Ref: AHA/ACC 2025 HBP] [Ref: ESC 2024 HTN]
Most people with high blood pressure feel completely well. That is why it is called a silent risk. [Ref: PSH/PHA 2020 HTN]
How common is it in the Philippines?
In a 2026 nationwide survey by the Philippine Heart Association, about 1 in 3 Filipino adults (34%) had high blood pressure of 140/90 or higher. Younger adults with high blood pressure were less likely to know they had it. [Data: PHA PRESYON-5 2026]
What raises your risk: older age, family history, too much salt, being overweight, not being active, drinking too much alcohol, smoking, diabetes and kidney disease. [Ref: PSH/PHA 2020 HTN] [Ref: ESC 2024 HTN]
Know your numbers
The Philippine guideline groups clinic readings like this. A diagnosis of high blood pressure needs high readings on at least two different days. [Ref: PSH/PHA 2020 HTN]
| Reading (mmHg) | Category | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Below 120/80 | Normal | Keep up healthy habits. |
| 120–139 / 80–89 | Borderline | Make lifestyle changes and check again. Ask about your overall heart risk. |
| 140/90 or higher | Hypertension | See your doctor |
| 180/110 or higher | Very high | ER now if you have symptoms Otherwise, recheck and call your doctor today. [Ref: ESC 2024 HTN] |
[Ref: PSH/PHA 2020 HTN] [Ref: PSH/PHA 2024 Acute Severe BP]
Why other websites show different numbers
Different guidelines use slightly different cut-offs. Your doctor will tell you which range you are in and what it means for you. [Ref: AHA/ACC 2025 HBP] [Ref: ESC 2024 HTN] [Ref: PSH/PHA 2020 HTN]
Checking your blood pressure at home
Readings taken at home help confirm the diagnosis and show how well treatment is working. They can also catch "white coat" readings that are only high in the clinic. [Ref: ESC 2024 HTN] [Ref: PSH/PHA 2020 HTN]
1. Use a validated monitorAn automatic upper-arm cuff that has been tested for accuracy, in the right cuff size for your arm.
2. Sit quietly firstRest for 5 minutes with your back supported, feet flat and arm resting at heart level.
3. Take two readingsTake them a minute apart, in the morning and evening, and write them down.
4. Bring your logShow your readings and your medicine list at every visit.
[Ref: PSH/PHA 2020 HTN] [Ref: AHA/ACC 2025 HBP] [Ref: AHA BP Readings]
What happens at your check-up
A diagnosis of high blood pressure needs high readings on at least two different days. Your doctor also checks whether it has affected your heart, kidneys or eyes, and looks at your overall heart risk. [Ref: PSH/PHA 2020 HTN] [Ref: AHA/ACC 2025 HBP]
Repeat readings
In the clinic and at home, to confirm the diagnosis and catch "white coat" readings.
ECG
A quick heart tracing that can show strain on the heart.
Blood and urine tests
To check your kidneys, blood sugar, cholesterol and salts in the blood.
Your overall risk
Your doctor puts your results together to estimate your risk of heart attack and stroke.
Your doctor decides which tests you need and explains what the results mean for you.
Is your blood pressure high? Get it checked by a doctor.
Only a doctor can confirm high blood pressure, check whether it has affected your heart, kidneys or eyes, and decide on the right treatment for you. Dr. Aaron Christopher P. Novales sees patients with high blood pressure.
A very high reading with chest pain, breathlessness, weakness or trouble speaking? Do not wait for a clinic visit. Go to the emergency room now →
How high blood pressure is treated
About the medicines on this page
Medicines are described here only to help you understand your doctor's plan. Do not buy or take any medicine because you read about it here. Take only what your doctor prescribes for you, and never start, stop or change a dose on your own.
Treatment starts with daily habits. Many people also need medicine. Your doctor will decide based on your readings, your other conditions and your overall heart risk. [Ref: PSH/PHA 2020 HTN] [Ref: AHA/ACC 2025 HBP] [Ref: ESC 2024 HTN]
Healthy habits that lower blood pressure
- Eat less salt. Watch for hidden salt in patis, toyo, bagoong, instant noodles, canned goods and processed meats.
- Eat more vegetables, fruit, whole grains and low-fat dairy, in a pattern like the DASH diet.
- Move more. Do regular aerobic exercise such as brisk walking, plus some muscle-strengthening exercise.
- Lose weight if you are overweight. Losing even 5% of your body weight helps.
- Avoid alcohol, or drink only in moderation.
- Stop smoking.
[Ref: PSH/PHA 2020 HTN] [Ref: AHA/ACC 2025 HBP] [Ref: ESC 2024 HTN]
Medicines
If you need medicine, your doctor will choose from several groups that lower blood pressure. Many people need two medicines, and taking them in one combined pill can make it easier to stay on track. [Ref: PSH/PHA 2020 HTN] [Ref: AHA/ACC 2025 HBP]
Your doctor decides whether you need medicine and when to start it, based on your readings and whether high blood pressure has already affected your heart, kidneys or eyes. [Ref: PSH/PHA 2020 HTN]
Take your medicine every day, even when you feel well. Do not stop it without talking to your doctor.
Your target
Below 130/80for most adults on treatment
Below 140/90for adults aged 80 and older
Your doctor may set a different goal if you are frail, get dizzy on standing, or have other conditions. [Ref: PSH/PHA 2020 HTN] [Ref: AHA/ACC 2025 HBP] [Ref: ESC 2024 HTN]
If your readings stay above your target, see your doctor. Do not change your medicines on your own.
Talk to your doctor about
Bring these questions to your visit.
- What is my blood pressure target?
- Should I check my blood pressure at home, and how often?
- Is my home monitor accurate?
- Could one combined pill replace the pills I take now?
- What is my overall risk of heart attack and stroke?
Related conditions
Guideline sources for this page
- PSH/PHA 2020 HTN: Ona DID, et al. Executive summary of the 2020 clinical practice guidelines for the management of hypertension in the Philippines. J Clin Hypertens 2021;23(9):1637–50.
- PSH/PHA 2024 Acute Severe BP: Ona DID, et al. Executive summary of the 2024 Philippine CPG on acute severe blood pressure elevation. J Clin Hypertens 2026;28(2):e70199.
- AHA/ACC 2025 HBP: Jones DW, et al. 2025 AHA/ACC guideline for the prevention, detection, evaluation and management of high blood pressure in adults. JACC 2025.
- ESC 2024 HTN: McEvoy JW, et al. 2024 ESC Guidelines for the management of elevated blood pressure and hypertension. Eur Heart J 2024.
- AHA BP Readings: American Heart Association. Understanding blood pressure readings and when high blood pressure is an emergency.
- PHA PRESYON-5 2026: Sison JA, Tiongson MD, Oliva RV. Prevalence, awareness, and treatment profile of adult Filipino hypertensive individuals: PHA Council on Hypertension report on the Survey of Hypertension in the Philippines (PRESYON-5). Philippine Journal of Cardiology, Aug 2026 (ahead of print). doi:10.69944/pjc.b95ed271d4.