Heart and blood pressure: know your numbers
High blood pressure (altapresyon) often causes no symptoms at all, so many people only find out after a stroke or a heart attack. The only way to know your numbers is to have them measured.
You can get your blood pressure checked for free at your barangay health station, rural health unit or YAKAP clinic. If your doctor asks you to check it at home, our guide shows how to measure it the right way and keep a log to bring to your check-ups.
The guides below explain what the numbers mean, how lifestyle changes and maintenance medicines help, and the warning signs that need care straight away. Go to the emergency room now for chest pain, sudden weakness on one side of the body, trouble speaking or severe shortness of breath.
5 guidesUpdated November 1, 2026
In an emergency, go to the nearest emergency room or call 911. Call 911
Guides on this topic
High blood pressure (altapresyon): symptoms, numbers and what to do
High blood pressure, also called hypertension, altapresyon or "high blood", affects about 1 in 3 adults in the Philippines. It usually causes no symptoms, so many people don't know they have it until a stroke or heart attack. A reading of 140/90 or higher on more than one day means high blood pressure. Less salt, regular activity and daily maintenance medicine can bring it down, and free checks and medicines are available through health centers and PhilHealth YAKAP.
Heart failure symptoms: swelling, breathlessness and when to get help
Heart failure means the heart cannot pump blood as well as it should. It has not stopped. The main heart failure symptoms are shortness of breath, swelling of the feet, ankles, legs or belly, tiredness and sudden weight gain from fluid. Daily medicines, less salt and weighing yourself every morning help keep it stable for years. PhilHealth helps pay for hospital care and some maintenance medicines through YAKAP clinics.
Chronic kidney disease: signs, tests and dialysis
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) means the kidneys have slowly been damaged and no longer clean the blood as well as they should. Early kidney disease usually causes no symptoms, so a blood test for creatinine (eGFR) and a urine test are the only way to find it. Diabetes and high blood pressure are the most common causes. Treatment can slow it down. If the kidneys fail, dialysis or a transplant is needed, and PhilHealth helps pay for both.
Blood pressure chart: what is normal, high and low
A normal blood pressure for adults is below 120/80. Under WHO guidance, 140/90 or higher on two different days counts as high blood pressure, and 180/120 or higher is dangerously high. Below 90/60 is low. At home the cut-off for high is lower: 135/85. The same chart applies to adults of every age. Children are compared with other children of the same age, sex and height. Your barangay health station or YAKAP clinic can check your blood pressure.
How to use blood pressure monitors at home and check BP manually
To get a true reading, rest for 5 minutes, sit with your back supported and feet flat, and put the right-size cuff on your bare upper arm at heart level. Take two readings 1 minute apart and write them down. This guide explains how to use blood pressure monitors at home, how to check blood pressure manually, how to keep a log, and which readings mean you should see a doctor. No monitor at home? Ask for a check at your barangay health station, RHU or PhilHealth YAKAP clinic.
Common questions
Each answer is in the guide it links to.
Questions about your own situation?
Ramon, our Blood pressure coach, answers in your language, free, any time. Ramon is an AI agent, not a person: in an emergency, call 911.