130/80, Never Higher. What’s Your Blood Pressure?
- Andrew Howlett
- Jan 27
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 6
If you want to live long—and stay present for the people who matter most—you need to pay attention to the risk factors that lead to the number one cause of death among fathers: heart disease. One of the most important (and most overlooked) is blood pressure.
XXX / XX
First things first: you need to know your number. That means checking your blood pressure at your family doctor’s office or using an automated machine at your local pharmacy. Home monitoring can also be helpful. If you’re not sure how to do this properly, check out this video on how to accurately measure your own blood pressure.
Hypertension
A sustained blood pressure above 130/80, also known as hypertension, quietly increases your risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, and cognitive decline—often without causing any early symptoms at all.
Speak to your doctor
If your readings are consistently elevated, the next step is a conversation with your primary care provider. Many cases of hypertension respond well to lifestyle changes—things like physical activity, sleep, nutrition, stress management, and reducing alcohol intake.
For some fathers, especially those with additional cardiac risk factors or more persistent elevations, medication may be recommended. Canadian treatment guidelines now emphasize a clear, stepwise approach that is both effective and well-tolerated, including the use of low-dose combination therapy to minimize side effects.
Live long
High blood pressure often doesn’t make you feel unwell. It doesn’t usually interfere with your day-to-day functioning. But treating it early—and keeping it controlled over time—is one of the most meaningful investments you can make in your long-term health and longevity.
If living long matters to you, knowing and managing your blood pressure is a powerful place to start.
Action
So when was the last time you checked your blood pressure?
Check out our other blogs in Living Long to learn about additional risk factors—and what you can do about them.
