Women are being urged to take their blood pressure seriously - and take the following steps.
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke - and cardiologists from the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) have highlighted the risk of heart disease increases at lower blood pressure levels for women in comparison to men.
Professor Angela Maas, emeritus director of the Women's Cardiac Health Programme, Radboud University Medical Centre, the Netherlands, said: "My message to all women is to take your blood pressure seriously, know your values [blood pressure readings] and convince your doctor that if it is too high then you need treatment. Don't underestimate the long-term effects of high blood pressure."
