High blood pressure is a blood pressure reading of 140/90 mmHg or higher. Both numbers are important.
Nearly 1 in 3 American adults has high blood pressure. Once high blood pressure develops, it usually lasts a lifetime. The good news is that it can be treated and controlled.
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How Often Should You Check Your Blood Pressure?
Have your blood pressure checked at least every year if you are healthy. Your doctor may recommend having it checked more often depending on your health.
Most people who have high blood pressure don't even know it. The only way to find out if you have high blood pressure (also called hypertension) is to have your blood pressure checked regularly.
* Ask your health care provider if you can stop in to have your blood pressure checked.
* Watch for blood pressure screenings in your area.
* Check your blood pressure using the automated machines at local grocery stores and pharmacies.
If the systolic number (top number) is greater than 130 or the diastolic number (bottom number) is greater than 85, call your doctor.
High Blood Pressure and Stroke
High blood pressure is the single most important risk factor for stroke.
* High blood pressure is a factor in 77 percent of strokes.
* African American women are especially affected by high blood pressure. They are 3 times more likely to die of heart disease or stroke before age 60 than Caucasian women
* Treating high blood pressure in older people can reduce their odds of having a heart attack by 27 percent, a stroke by 36 percent, and heart failure by 54 percent.
* More women than men have died of cardiovascular diseases every year since 1984.
* As many women die from cardiovascular diseases each year as the next 6 causes of death combined, including breast cancer.
* New research shows that the odds of your developing heart disease and stroke start to increase at levels as low as 115/75 mmHg and double for each 20/10 mmHg.
What is Blood Pressure
Blood is carried from the heart to all parts of your body in vessels called arteries. Blood pressure is the force of the blood pushing against the walls of the arteries. Each time the heart beats (about 60–70 times a minute at rest), it pumps out blood into the arteries. Your blood pressure is at its highest when the heart beats, pumping the blood. This is called systolic (sis-TOL-ik) pressure. When the heart is at rest, between beats, your blood pressure falls. This is the diastolic (di-a-STOL-ik) pressure.
Blood pressure is always given as these two numbers, the systolic and diastolic pressures. Both are important. Usually they are written one above or before the other, such as 120/80 mmHg (measured in millimeters of mercury, a unit for measuring pressure). When the two measurements are written down, the systolic pressure is the first or top number, and the diastolic pressure is the second or bottom number (for example, 120/80). If your blood pressure is 120/80, you say that it is "120 over 80."
Blood pressure changes during the day. It is lowest as you sleep and rises when you get up. It also can rise when you are excited, nervous, or active.
Still, for most of your waking hours, your blood pressure stays pretty much the same when you are sitting or standing still. That level should be lower than 120/80 mmHg. When the level stays high, 140/90 mmHg or higher, you have high blood pressure. With high blood pressure, the heart works harder, your arteries take a beating, and your chances of a stroke, heart attack, and kidney problems are greater.
What is Normal Blood Pressure?
A blood pressure reading below 120/80 mmHg is considered normal. In general, lower is better. However, very low blood pressure can sometimes be a cause for concern and should be checked out by a doctor.
Doctors classify blood pressures under 140/90 mmHg as either normal or prehypertension.
* Normal blood pressure is lower than 120/80 mmHg.
* Prehypertension is blood pressure between 120 and 139 for the top number, or between 80 and 89 for the bottom number. For example, blood pressure readings of 138/82, 128/89, or 130/86 are all in the prehypertension range. If your blood pressure is in the prehypertension range, it is more likely that you will end up with high blood pressure unless you take action to prevent it.
What is High Blood Pressure?
A blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg or higher is considered high blood pressure. Both numbers are important. If one or both numbers are usually high, you have high blood pressure.If you are being treated for high blood pressure and have repeated readings in the normal range, you still have high blood pressure.
The Silent Killer
High blood pressure is called the silent killer because it usually has no symptoms. Some people may not find out they have it until they have trouble with their heart, brain, or kidneys. When high blood pressure is not found and treated, it can cause:
* The heart to get larger, which may lead to heart failure.
* Small bulges (aneurysms (AN-u-risms)) to form in blood vessels. Common locations are the main artery from the heart (aorta); arteries in the brain, legs, and intestines; and the artery leading to the spleen.
* Blood vessels in the kidney to narrow, which may cause kidney failure.
* Arteries throughout the body to "harden" faster, especially those in the heart, brain, kidneys, and legs. This can cause a heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, or amputation of part of the leg.
* Blood vessels in the eyes to burst or bleed, which may cause vision changes and can result in blindness.
