The number of people with hypertension (high blood pressure) is high and getting higher. Your blood pressure gradually rises as you get older, so as we all live longer it is becoming more common.

High blood pressure often has no symptoms until you have a heart attack, stroke or perhaps develop kidney problems. Blood pressure is measured in by a cuff round your arm, wrist or finger and ideally is around 120/80. A measurement above 140/90 may need some form of treatment. As high blood pressure can be affected by a variety of different factors the best treatment may vary but for most people will include losing weight, exercising and maybe drugs from the doctor.

If you want to start exercising, it is a good idea to see your doctor first for a check up. Once you have got the all clear you can start.

It is a good idea to begin gently with aerobic exercise. That means activities that get you sweaty and breathing a bit harder such as walking, running, cycling or swimming. Aim to build up to half an hour 5 or 6 times a week

Pick an activity you enjoy. It is far more likely you will persevere with your efforts.

Do not push yourself too hard at first. You should be able to talk while exercising without gasping for breath.

As you get fitter, rather than exercising for longer, push yourself a bit harder. Depending on how you are exercising it may be worth adding an element of interval training to your regime. This basically means alternating easy and hard. So walk fast for 30 seconds and slower for one minute and do this several times over the 30 minutes.

Do different activities. Have an occasional swim as well as run or have a bike ride. It exercises different muscles, keeps you fresh and can reduce injuries.

Regular exercise like this is proven to lower your blood pressure. You get the benefits of being fitter, losing weight and reducing your blood pressure without the need often for drugs, which is a very desirable outcome.