Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries, which carry blood from your heart to other parts of your body. Blood pressure is given as two numbers in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg), such as 112/78 mm Hg. The top number (the systolic pressure) is the pressure when the heart beats. The bottom number (the diastolic pressure) is the pressure between heartbeats. Normal blood pressure for adults is less than 120/80 mm Hg.
What Is High Blood Pressure?
High blood pressure, also called hypertension, means that the pressure in your arteries is higher than normal. If you’re an adult and your systolic pressure is 120–129 mm Hg, and your diastolic pressure is less than 80 mm Hg, you are considered to have elevated blood pressure. If your systolic pressure is \ above 130 mm Hg or your diastolic pressure is above 80 mm Hg, and consistently stays high over time, you are considered to have high blood pressure.
How to Find Out If You Have High Blood Pressure?
People with high blood pressure generally don’t feel any symptoms. The only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to get it checked regularly. For a proper diagnosis, your health care provider will average two or more blood pressure readings obtained on at least two visits.
What Factors Increase Your Risk for High Blood Pressure?
- Being overweight
- Lack of exercise
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Age
- Family history of high blood pressure
- Race (African Americans are at a very high risk of developing high blood pressure.)
Can High Blood Pressure Be Cured?
High blood pressure can’t be cured, but it can be controlled. To control your blood pressure, see your health care provider regularly and take the following steps:
- Take any medications that your health care provider orders to treat your high blood pressure.
- Reach and maintain a healthy weight.
- Eat a healthy diet that is low in saturated fats, trans fats, and salt and rich in fruits and vegetables.
- Don’t smoke.
- Manage stress.
- Get at least 150 minutes of physical activity each week.
- Limit or stop drinking alcohol.