High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is abnormally high pressure in the arteries. Having high blood pressure can contribute to stroke, heart disease, heart attack, and kidney damage. Because high blood pressure usually does not cause any symptoms, it is often referred to as "the silent killer."
An estimated 60 million Americans have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, also called hypertension. Unfortunately, one-third of people with high blood pressure are unaware that they have the disorder. High blood pressure is more common among blacks than whites and occurs more often among older people and people who are obese. High blood pressure is a serious health condition because it can lead to heart disease (including heart failure or heart attacks), kidney failure, and stroke.
When a person is evaluated for high blood pressure), 2 values are recorded: systolic and diastolic blood pressures. Systolic (the higher number) is the pressure in the arteries when the heart contracts; diastolic (the lower number) is the pressure when the heart rests between contractions. A blood pressure reading is recorded as systolic /diastolic pressure, or "systolic over diastolic." Both systolic and diastolic blood pressures are measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). An example of how to read a blood pressure measurement is "120 mmHg/80 mmHg" or "120 over 80."
High blood pressure in adults is defined as having either a systolic pressure of 140 mmHg or more, or having a diastolic pressure of 90 mmHg or more. In some people with high blood pressure, both systolic and diastolic pressures are high. However, older people often have a higher systolic pressure with a normal or low diastolic pressure. This condition is called isolated systolic hypertension, which is still considered high blood pressure.
In most cases, a cause for hypertension cannot be identified; this is classified as essential hypertension. Essential hypertension cannot be cured, but it can be controlled to prevent complications. Losing weight, reducing alcohol and salt intake, and smoking cessation may help to lower blood pressure.
All forms of hypertension can have serious medical complications if left untreated. It is important for adults to have their blood pressure measured regularly to help identify and treat hypertension early.
