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Blood pressure is the force of blood against the artery walls. It is often written or stated as two numbers. The first or top number represents the pressure when the heart contracts. This is called systolic pressure. The second or bottom number represents the pressure when the heart rests between beats. This is called diastolic pressure.
Blood pressure is traditionally measured with a device called a sphygmomanometer. It measures blood pressure in millimeters of mercury (mmHg).
Blood pressure normally rises and falls throughout the day. When it consistently stays too high for too long, it is called hypertension.
The Seventh Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC-7) notes these levels for defining normal and high blood pressure in adults:
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High blood pressure or hypertension for adults is defined as a systolic blood pressure of 140 mmHg or higher or a diastolic blood pressure of 90 mmHg or higher.
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Prehypertension is defined as a systolic blood pressure of 120–139 mmHg or a diastolic blood pressure of 80–89 mmHg. Persons with prehypertension are at increased risk to progress to hypertension.
- Normal blood pressure is a systolic blood pressure of less than 120 mmHg and a diastolic blood pressure of less than 80 mmHg (or lower).
 High blood pressure is often called the ‘silent killer’ because it usually has no noticeable warning signs or symptoms until other serious problems arise. Therefore, many people with high blood pressure do not know that they have it. High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States.
High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart failure, a serious condition where the heart cannot pump enough blood for the body’s needs. It is also the major risk factor for stroke, which is the third leading cause of death in the United States.
In addition, high blood pressure can result in damage to the eyes, including blindness.
High blood pressure can also result in kidney disease and kidney failure.
Treatment of High Blood Pressure
 High blood pressure can be treated with both lifestyle modifications, usually as the first step, and, if needed, with medications. Lifestyle factors to treat high blood pressure include weight control, exercise, healthy diet, limiting alcohol use, and other lifestyle modifications. See more on our lifestyles page.
There are several types of medications that are used to treat high blood pressure. Frequently, more than one type will be used. It is important to take these as prescribed. If the medicines are effective in lowering your blood pressure you should continue to monitor you blood pressure, but also stay on your medication as per your doctor’s recommendations.
You May Not Know…
- Approx. 73 million Americans have high blood pressure
- High blood pressure is a factor in 67% of heart attacks and 77% of strokes in the U.S.
- High BP precedes 74% of cases of heart failure
- One in three Americans have high blood pressure.
- The risk of death from heart attack or stroke doubles w/ each 20/10mm Hg increase in blood pressure.
- Nationally, high blood pressure causes more visits to doctors than any other condition
- 28 million sick days are taken each year due to BP
- High blood pressure and its complications cost the U.S. economy more than $100 billion each year
*U.S. Centers for Disease Control & American Heart Assoc |
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