High blood pressure is a common condition in which the force of the blood against your artery walls is high enough that it may eventually cause serious health problems. High blood pressure is estimated to cause 7.5 million deaths worldwide, about 12.8% of the total of all deaths according to the World Health Organization . It is also a major risk factor for coronary heart disease and stroke.
High blood pressure is especially dangerous because there are rarely any signs or symptoms to indicate you have it, meaning it typically develops over many years. Fortunately, high blood pressure can be easily detected. And once you know you have high blood pressure, you can work with your doctor to manage it.
This section on high blood pressure has all the information you need to understand and control your blood pressure. Learn all about symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, as well as what your blood pressure numbers mean. You can even discover small but effective lifestyle changes you can make to manage your blood pressure and stay well.
One of the most dangerous aspects of high blood pressure is that you may not know that you have it. In fact, you can have high blood pressure for years without knowing it. This is because high blood pressure itself usually has no signs or symptoms. Rarely, dull headaches or dizzy spells may occur.
The only way to know if your blood pressure is high is through regular checkups. This is especially important if you have a close relative who has high blood pressure. Mayo Clinic recommends asking your doctor for a blood pressure reading at least every two years starting at age 18. He or she will likely suggest more frequent readings if you've already been diagnosed with high blood pressure or other risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Children age 3 and older will usually have their blood pressure measured as a part of their yearly checkups.
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a common condition in which the force of the blood against your artery walls is high enough that it may eventually cause health problems, such as heart disease.
High blood pressure means that your heart is working far beyond its capacity to pump blood through your body. This extra work can result in a weaker heart muscle and potential organ damage in the future. Your arteries also suffer when your blood pressure is high as the persistent pounding of the blood against the arterial walls causes them to become hard and narrow, which can lead to stroke, kidney failure, and cardiovascular disease.
A blood pressure reading appears as 2 numbers. The first (systolic) number represents the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats and fills them with blood. The second (diastolic) number measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart rests between beats.
You will most often see blood pressure numbers written with the systolic number above or before the diastolic number, such as 120/80 mmHg (millimeters of mercury).
It's natural for blood pressure to rise and fall with changes in activity or emotional state. But when blood pressure remains consistently high, you will need to talk with your doctor about treatment.
The table below shows normal blood pressure numbers for adults. It also shows which numbers put you at greater risk for health problems.
|
Category |
Systolic |
|
Diastolic |
|
Normal |
Less than 120 |
And |
Less than 80 |
|
Prehypertension |
120–139 |
Or |
80–89 |
|
High Blood Pressure Stage 1 |
140–159 |
Or |
90–99 |
|
High Blood Pressure Stage 2 |
160 or higher |
Or |
100 or higher |
To diagnose high blood pressure, a doctor will wrap an inflatable cuff with a pressure gauge around your arm to squeeze the blood vessels. The gauge will then give a blood pressure reading that can determine whether or not you have high blood pressure. For more information about what your blood pressure reading means, see Blood Pressure Numbers.
To prevent a false high reading, you should prepare for the test by:
Once a diagnosis of high blood pressure is confirmed, your doctor may recommend tests to determine whether target-organ damage has occurred and to rule out any disorder that could be to blame for your high blood pressure. Routine tests may include a urine test (urinalysis), blood tests and an electrocardiogram (ECG), a test that measures your heart's electrical activity. Exams to check for more signs of heart disease, such as a cholesterol test, may also be recommended.
High blood pressure is treated with lifestyle changes and medicines. The goal of high blood pressure treatment is to lower blood pressure and protect important organs, like the brain, heart, and kidneys from damage.
Most people who have high blood pressure will need lifelong treatment. Sticking to your treatment plan is extremely important, as it can help you live a healthier and more active life, as well as prevent or delay problems related to high blood pressure.
A critical step in preventing and treating high blood pressure is a healthy lifestyle. Eating a heart healthy diet, exercising regularly and avoiding cigarettes and alcohol go a long way towards fighting against high blood pressure. For more information about lifestyle changes to treat high blood pressure, see High Blood Pressure Prevention.
When lifestyle changes aren't enough, your doctor may recommend medication in addition to lifestyle changes to lower your blood pressure. There are several types of drugs used to treat high blood pressure. The category of medication your doctor prescribes depends on your stage of high blood pressure and whether you also have other medical problems.
After starting high blood pressure drug therapy, you should see your doctor at least once a month until the blood pressure goal is reached. After the blood pressure goal is reached, you should continue to see your doctor every 3 to 6 months, depending on whether you have other diseases such as heart failure.
These lifestyle changes can help you both prevent and control high blood pressure:
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