WITH 62,000 people dying every year in the UK thanks to high blood pressure, it's no surprise the condition is known as the silent killer.

Around 16 million people in Britain have high blood pressure, yet, because it has no symptoms, a third of those people don't know.

Now the Blood Pressure Association is urging everyone to become as familiar with their own blood pressure levels as they are with their height and weight.

This week is Know Your Numbers Week, with volunteers manning more than 2000 UK "pressure stations" at gyms, health clubs, supermarkets, pharmacies and GP surgeries.

If it has been a while since you had your blood pressure checked, now is the time.

Here is our beginner's guide to blood pressure and how to keep it in check:

WHAT IS BLOOD PRESSURE?

BLOOD pressure is the force of blood on the walls of the arteries as it is pumped from the heart around the body.

It is not usually something that you feel or notice, so the only way to know what your blood pressure is, is to have it measured.

WHY IS HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE DANGEROUS?

HIGH blood pressure puts you at greater risk of a range of health problems, such as heart disease, strokes, kidney disease and dementia. It strains the vessels carrying blood around your body, which can lead to them becoming clogged or weakened.

In turn, this can lead to narrow blood vessels and clots, which can cause damage to the heart or brain and, more rarely, it can lead to the blood vessels bursting.

Having high blood pressure can also cause heart failure.

Your heart won't be able to pump blood around the body as well as it should, which can lead to you becoming short of breath and your ankles swelling.

It can also cause kidney failure and some eye conditions.

Research also shows that, by lowering blood pressure, you may be able to prevent some kinds of dementia.

HOW CAN I LOWER MY BLOOD PRESSURE?

THERE are a number of methods by which to cut blood pressure.

Some have an effect in a matter of weeks, others take longer.

These are listed in order of speed:

Cut down on salt.

This means eating more natural foods and fewer processed ones and not adding any extra salt to foods or in anything you cook.

Salt naturally raises your blood pressure, so eating less will reduce this effect.

Eat more fresh fruit and veg.

Aim to eat at least five different portions a day.

Fruit and vegetables contain potassium, which counters the effect of salt and helps to lower blood pressure.

Drink alcohol in moderation.

No more than three to four units per day for men and no more than two to three units per day for women.

Drinking more than the recommended limits over a long period will slowly raise your blood pressure.

Increase your level of activity.

Build in 30 minutes of moderate activity at least five times per week.

Being active not only gives your heart a good work out, it also helps arteries stay flexible and more able to cope with daily demands.

Lose any excess weight.

Your doctor or nurse will be able to tell you your ideal weight.

Excess weight puts extra strain on your heart and your arteries, so getting down to your target weight will help in the long term.

WHAT IF I AM DIAGNOSED WITH HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE?

A KEY way to lower it is to take medication prescribed by your doctor.

Treatments are now very successful and there is a wide range to choose from.

Taking any tablets exactly as prescribed - and doing so in combination with these other lifestyle changes mentioned - should help you to live a longer and healthier life.

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