What is the main cause of high blood pressure? High blood pressure usually develops over time. It can occur due to an unhealthy lifestyle, such as not getting enough regular physical activity. Certain health conditions, such as diabetes and obesity, can also increase the risk of developing high blood pressure. Can you sense if your blood pressure is high? Unfortunately, high blood pressure can occur without experiencing any unusual symptoms. Moderate to severe headaches, anxiety, shortness of breath, nosebleeds, palpitations or a throbbing sensation in the neck are some of the signs of high blood pressure. What are the four stages of hypertension? The 4 stages of hypertension are: Elevated blood pressure levels between 120-129/under 80. ... Grade 1 hypertension is 130-139/80-89 mmHg. Grade 2 hypertension is 140/90 mmHg or higher. Hypertensive crisis is higher than 180/120 or more. What is the normal blood pressure according to age? Estimated blood pressure range (mm Hg) Age Systolic pressure range Diastolic pressure range Children (2-13 years) 80-120 40-80 Adolescents (14-18 years old) 90-120 50-80 Adults (19-40 years old) 95-135 60-80 Adults (41-60 years) 110-145 70-90 How to lower blood pressure with small changes You don't have to start a major overhaul of your life to change your blood pressure. Here are six simple tips on actions you can take to bring your blood pressure back to normal levels. 1. Lose weight By far the most effective way to reduce elevated blood pressure is to lose weight, Fisher says. And you don't need a big weight loss to make a difference. Even losing just 10 pounds can lower blood pressure. 2. Read labels Americans consume far too much sodium, up to three times the recommended amount, which is 1,500 milligrams (mg) per day for people with high blood pressure, Dr. Fisher says. It doesn't take much sodium to reach that 1,500-mg daily limit - just 3/4 teaspoon of salt. Half that amount of sodium is found in one Egg McMuffin breakfast sandwich. Eliminate foods high in sodium by reading labels carefully. "It's very difficult to lower sodium in your diet without reading labels, unless you prepare all your foods yourself," - Dr. Fisher says. Be especially wary of what the American Heart Association has dubbed the "salty six" - common foods that may have high amounts of sodium lurking in them:

• breads and rolls
• cured meats and cured meats
• pizza
• poultry
• soup
• canapés.

3. Keep moving It doesn't take much exercise to make a difference in your health. Aim for half an hour at least five days a week. "Make sure you're doing something you love, or it won't stick," says Fisher. "For some, that means dancing; for others, it means riding a bike or taking a brisk walk with a friend." Even everyday activities, such as gardening, can help. 4. Pump some iron "Add some weight lifting to your exercise regime to help lose weight and stay fit. Women steadily lose muscle mass as they age, and weight lifting is often an overlooked part of the exercise plan for most women," - Fisher says. 5. Limit alcohol to one drink a day Drinking too much and too often can raise blood pressure, so exercise moderation. 6. Reduce stress through daily meditation or deep breathing sessions Stress hormones constrict blood vessels and can lead to temporary spikes in blood pressure. In addition, over time, stress can trigger unhealthy habits that put your cardiovascular health at risk. These can include overeating, poor sleep, drug and alcohol abuse. For all these reasons, reducing stress should be a priority if you want to lower your blood pressure.