 |
Understanding High Blood Pressure
|
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) estimates approximately one in three American adults—nearly 65 million people—have high blood pressure, or hypertension. High blood pressure is a serious condition that increases your risk for heart disease and stroke. High blood pressure can also lead to other health issues like atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), kidney disease, blindness and congestive heart failure.
What makes high blood pressure even more dangerous is that it has no outward symptoms, enabling it to easily go undetected. The only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to be tested regularly by your health care provider.
Blood Pressure Readings
Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and recorded with two numbers, systolic pressure “over” diastolic pressure:
-
Systolic pressure, or the top number, measures pressure as your heart beats
-
Diastolic pressure, or the bottom number, measures pressure as your heart relaxes between beats
Normal blood pressure for adults is less than 120/80. The NHLBI and the American Heart Association both define high blood pressure in an adult as a systolic pressure of 140 mmHg or more and a diastolic pressure of 90 mmHg or more.
Prevention and Management
If your health care provider determines that you have high blood pressure, there are several treatment options. An effective first step is to adopt a healthy lifestyle, which includes:
If these daily lifestyle changes do not bring your high blood pressure down, your health care provider may prescribe medication to control it.
The next time your blood pressure is checked, keep an eye on those numbers. If you have any questions about high blood pressure, ask your health care provider for more information or visit the NHLBI’s “Your Guide to Lowering High Blood Pressure” Web site.
Back to Top
|
