On average, one in every six Australian adults suffers from raised blood pressure, yet it usually goes undetected until a medical check-up or - worst of all - it unexpectedly causes a stroke or heart attack.

The tendency to develop high blood pressure is something you inherit. If your parents had high blood pressure, then you are a likely candidate.

But it's believed that the tendency will not appear unless one or more of the following five lifestyle factors trigger the mechanisms that cause high blood pressure.

1. Excess weight forces the heart to pump harder.

2. Heavy alcohol intake.

3. High salt intake.

4. Stress - but this can be lessened by relaxation techniques.

5. Sedentary lifestyle.

If you are told your blood pressure seems high at a screening, talk to your doctor and have it measured a couple of times to confirm the reading. Your doctor may prescribe medication to help control it.

Or he/she may suggest lifestyle changes which will help manage the problem. Even if you take tablets, these suggestions will also make a difference.

If you're overweight, cut back your kilojoule (calorie) intake and do more exercise to help shed weight.

More exercise in your day will help you control your weight, aid in stress management and give you a more active lifestyle.

Cut back on alcohol new guidelines say to limit yourself to no more than 2 standard drinks a day.

Minimise your salt intake by buying no-added-salt and salt-reduced foods at the supermarket and by not using salt in cooking. Most commercial breads, crackers, spreads, breakfast cereals and condiments contain salt, even if they don't taste salty. Steer clear of highly-salted foods like anchovies, olives, yeast spread, potato crisps and other salty snack foods.

Practice meditation, tai chi, yoga or other relaxation techniques to manage your stress levels.

Catherine Saxelby is a nutritionist and author of Nutrition for Life. Get more healthy eating tips at www.foodwatch.com.au