But there are many who have high blood pressure and do not know it. The only way to find out if you have high blood pressure is to have your blood pressure checked. Your doctor, or other qualified health professionals should check your blood pressure at least every two years. Professionals always give the systolic number first. The diastolic number is usually listed second.
Blood pressure varies considerably during the course of an average day.
About 10 percent of the adult population or about 2 million people in Canada are known to have high blood pressure. But there are many who have high blood pressure and do not know it. Many people have high blood pressure for years without knowing it. It is a killer, all the same. because it greatly increases the risk of both heart attack and stroke and can result in damage to the kidneys. The only way to find out if you have high blood pressure is to have your blood pressure checked.