Understanding High Blood Pressure: Causes, Symptoms & Management

Blood pressure refers to the pressure of your blood as it pushes against your arterial walls. Blood pressure is measured in two numbers, systolic pressure and diastolic pressure. About one in three Americans has high blood pressure.

Background

• When your heart beats, it pushes blood into your arteries. Systolic pressure is measured when your heart is pumping blood. Diastolic pressure is measured when your heart is resting between beats.

Notation

• Blood pressure usually is written as systolic pressure/diastolic pressure.

Levels

• A blood pressure of 120/80 is considered a normal blood pressure. A blood pressure of 140/90 or higher is considered to be high blood pressure, which is also known as hypertension.

Symptoms

• High blood pressure is often asymptomatic; blood pressure screening is therefore an important part of routine health checkups.

Effects

• Untreated high blood pressure can lead to strokes, aneurysms, blood clots and tissue or organ damage.

Treatment

• High blood pressure can be treated by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and taking medication, if prescribed.