On this page
Blood pressure is the force of the blood pushing against the artery walls. The force is made with each heartbeat as blood is pumped from the heart into the blood vessels. This is called systolic blood pressure. Blood pressure is also affected by the size of the artery walls and their elasticity. Each time the heart beats (contracts and relaxes), pressure is created inside the arteries. When the heart is relaxed, the arteries stay at a lower resting tone to maintain some pressure in the artery. This is called diastolic blood pressure.
High blood pressure is when the force of the blood is too high during heart contraction or relaxation within the arteries. The arteries may have an increased resistance against the flow of blood. This causes your heart to pump harder to circulate the blood.
These factors may cause high blood pressure:
More than half of all adult Americans have high blood pressure. You are at risk for it if you:
High blood pressure often has no symptoms. But you can find out if your blood pressure is higher than normal by checking it yourself or by having it checked regularly by your healthcare provider.
Very high blood pressure can cause symptoms. These include headache, changes in vision, or chest pain.
Blood pressure is measured with a blood pressure cuff and stethoscope by a nurse or other healthcare provider. You can also take your own blood pressure with an electronic blood pressure monitor. You can find one at most pharmacies.
Two numbers are recorded when measuring blood pressure:
The top number is the systolic pressure. This is the pressure inside the artery when the heart contracts and pumps blood through the body.
The bottom number is the diastolic pressure. This is the pressure inside the artery when the heart is at rest and is filling with blood.
Both the systolic and diastolic pressures are recorded as mm Hg (millimeters of mercury). This recording represents how high the mercury column in the blood pressure cuff is raised by the pressure of the blood.
Blood pressure is rated as normal, elevated, or stage 1 or stage 2 high blood pressure:
Normal blood pressure is systolic of less than 120 and diastolic of less than 80 (120/80).
Elevated blood pressure is systolic of 120 to 129 and diastolic less than 80.
Stage 1 high blood pressure is when systolic is 130 to 139 or diastolic is 80 to 89.
Stage 2 high blood pressure is when systolic is 140 or higher or diastolic is 90 or higher.
Even higher blood pressure (with the systolic blood pressure 180 or higher, the diastolic blood pressure more than 120, or both) is called a hypertensive urgency if there are no related symptoms. Or it's called a hypertensive emergency if there are symptoms indicating damage to the brain, heart, or kidneys. If you have a hypertensive urgency, you may need a change in your medicine right away or be evaluated in an emergency room. If you have a hypertensive emergency, you will need to be evaluated in an emergency room; and likely have a stay in the hospital.
A single higher blood pressure measurement does not always mean you have a problem. Your healthcare provider will want to see several blood pressure measurements over a number of days or weeks before diagnosing high blood pressure and starting treatment. Ask your provider when you should call if your blood pressure readings are not in the normal range.
Treatment for high blood pressure may involve:
These healthy steps can help you control your blood pressure:
Sometimes you may need to take 1 or more daily medicines to control high blood pressure. Take it exactly as directed.
If you have high blood pressure, have your blood pressure checked routinely and see your healthcare provider to watch the condition.
High blood pressure raises your risk for:
You can help prevent high blood pressure with many of the same healthy steps used to treat it. These are:
High blood pressure is when the force of the blood pushing against the artery walls is too high. This causes your heart to pump harder to circulate the blood.
Risk factors include being overweight, having a family history of the disease, and being older.
There are often no symptoms.
Two numbers are recorded when measuring blood pressure. High blood pressure is when the top number (systolic pressure) is 130 or higher or the bottom number (diastolic pressure) is 80 or higher.
Lifestyle changes and medicines may help treat high blood pressure.
Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider:
Know the reason for your visit and what you want to happen.
Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.
Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your provider tells you.
At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new instructions your provider gives you.
Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed, and how it will help you. Also know what the side effects are.
Ask if your condition can be treated in other ways.
Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.
Know what to expect if you do not take the medicine or have the test or procedure.
If you have a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.
Know how you can contact your provider if you have questions.