What is high blood pressure?
High blood pressure (also called hypertension) occurs when your blood pressure, the force of blood flowing through your blood vessels, is consistently too high. Learn more about high blood pressure.
If you suffer from high blood pressure, you are not alone.
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Nearly half of American adults have high blood pressure. (Many don’t even know they have it.)
- The best way to know if you have high blood pressure is to have your blood pressure checked.
Know your numbers.
Learn more about your blood pressure numbers and what they mean.
| BLOOD PRESSURE CATEGORY | SYSTOLIC mm Hg (top number) | and or | DIASTOLIC mm Hg (lower number) |
|---|---|---|---|
| NORMAL | LESS THAN 120 | And | LESS THAN 80 |
| PUPIL | 120 – 129 | And | LESS THAN 80 |
| HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE (HYPERTENSION) STAGE 1 | 130 – 139 | Or | 80 – 89 |
| HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE (HYPERTENSION) STAGE 2 | 140 OR MORE | Or | 90 OR MORE |
| HYPERTENSION ATTACK (consult your doctor immediately) | HIGHER THAN 180 | and or | HIGHER THAN 120 |
High blood pressure is a “silent killer.”
Preventing and managing high blood pressure
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This is a time when the old adage “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is particularly relevant. It is best to avoid high blood pressure altogether. Healthy lifestyle choices are a great place to start.
- With appropriate treatment and managementyou can control your blood pressure to help you live longer and healthier.
