Good question. And the answer’s only simple if your blood pressure is significantly up – say, persistently over 160/100 – in which case it increases the risk of future problems to such an extent that most doctors would advise treatment.

Much more common, though, is the ‘grey area’ in which your BP’s not perfect, but it’s not outrageously high, either. Here, you have to step back and take a broader view.

The name of the game is trying to prevent future strokes and heart attacks. But borderline BP is only one factor: others include smoking, age, sex and cholesterol level.

To work out whether your BP is too high for your particular circumstances, you have to take account of all these other factors and calculate your ‘cardiovascular risk’ – the chances of something nasty happening to you in the next ten years. Sounds complicated? Don’t worry, your GP will do it for you, if appropriate.

And bear in mind two important points. First, a one off reading means nothing. Blood pressure levels in normal individuals fluctuate wildly, so you need a series of readings before you get a true idea of your average figures.

Second, there’s plenty you can do which will help lower your blood pressure and your overall cardiovascular risk – like avoiding excess booze, going easy on the salt, not smoking, eating a healthy diet and doing plenty of exercise.