What is high blood pressure?
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease, stroke, heart failure, peripheral vascular disease and renal failure. The risk of disease increases as the level of blood pressure increases. High blood pressure is also associated with other risk factors such as tobacco smoking and overweight and obesity.
Key facts
| Prevalence - about 3.7 million Australians had high blood pressure in 1999-2000 |
Did you know?
- Measured results from the 1999-2000 Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle Study indicate that around 3.7 million Australians aged 25 years and over had high blood pressure or were on medication for that condition. This is around 32% of men and 27% of women.
- There has been a decline in the proportion of people with high blood pressure and/or receiving treatment since the 1980s. Average blood pressure levels have also reduced since the 1980s.
- High blood pressure was the problem most commonly managed by general practitioners in 2005-06.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples reported high blood pressure from a younger age than other Australians.
More information
Hospitalisations from high blood pressure (hospital data cubes)