What is Hypertension?

Did you know? One in three adults in the U.S. has high blood pressure and many of them do not know it. High blood pressure (also called hypertension) increases your risk for a heart attack or stroke.

What is blood pressure? Blood pressure is the force of blood against your artery walls as it circulates through your body. High blood pressure is unsafe because it makes your heart work harder to pump blood. This can cause damage to the arteries and puts you at risk for a heart attack or stroke.

The Silent Killer. High blood pressure is called the "silent killer" because it often has no warning signs or symptoms. Many people don’t realize they have it. That’s why it’s important to get your blood pressure checked regularly.

Measuring your blood pressure. It is quick and painless to measure your blood pressure. You can get a reading at your pharmacy, doctor’s office, or even at home. Blood pressure is measured using two numbers—systolic and diastolic. Use the Blood Pressure Calculator to find out what your numbers mean.

You can control your blood pressure. For some people, making healthy changes in their lives can help lower blood pressure. For others, medication may be needed as well. If your doctor gives you one or more medications as part of a treatment plan, be sure to take them as directed. Work with your pharmacist and doctor to create a plan that works best for you.

Talk to your pharmacist. Did you know that your pharmacist can answer your general high blood pressure questions, and even take your blood pressure? Your pharmacist is not only trained to fill your prescriptions, but can help you better understand your condition and the medications you are taking.

Team Up. Pressure Down. Through medication, healthy lifestyle changes, and working closely with your health care team, you can get—and keep—your blood pressure under control. That’s a message to take to heart.

What Do Your Blood Pressure Readings Mean?

High blood pressure usually has no symptoms. Do you know if your blood pressure is normal?

Your blood pressure is made up of two numbers: systolic pressure and diastolic pressure. The systolic pressure measures the total pressure it takes the heart to pump blood to the body. Diastolic pressure is when the heart relaxes between beats and fills again with blood. Blood pressure numbers are written with the systolic number above or before the diastolic number, such as 120/80 mmHg. It is usually measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg).

Systolic

 (Top number)

 

Diastolic

 (Bottom number)

 

Category

 

What It Means

 

Less than 120

 

Less than 80

 

Normal

 

Your blood pressure is normal but you should take steps to keep it that way. Blood pressure usually increases with age.

 

120-139

 

80-89

 

Prehypertension

 

You have an increased risk of future hypertension. You should regularly monitor your blood pressure and make lifestyle modifications to bring your numbers into a normal range.

 

140-159

 

90-99

 

Stage 1 Hypertension

 

Your readings indicate that you may have hypertension and should seek medical care. Your doctor will discuss treatment options and may prescribe medication(s) to help lower your blood pressure. If you have questions about your medications or treatment, you can also speak to your pharmacist.

 

160 or higher

 

100 or higher

 

Stage 2 Hypertension

 

Your readings indicate that you have hypertension and should seek immediate medical care. Your doctor will probably prescribe 1 or more medications to help lower your blood pressure.

 

Important steps that everyone can take:

•Check your blood pressure regularly.

 Getting your blood pressure checked is important because high blood pressure often has no symptoms. Your doctor can measure your blood pressure, or you can use a machine available at many pharmacies. You can also use a home monitoring device to measure your blood pressure.

 

•Eat a healthy diet.

Eat lots of fruits and vegetables, which provide nutrients such as potassium and fiber. Also, eat whole grains, low-fat dairy products, and foods that are low in saturated fat and cholesterol. Avoid sodium by limiting the amount of salt you add to your food. Be aware that many processed foods and restaurant meals are high in sodium.

 Learn about the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan:

•Maintain a healthy weight.

 Being overweight can raise your blood pressure. Losing weight can help you lower your blood pressure.

 

•Be physically active.

Adults should engage in moderate physical activities for at least 2 hours and 30 minutes a week.

 

•Limit alcohol use.

 If you drink alcohol, you should do so in moderation—no more than one drink per day for women or two drinks per day for men.

 

•Don't smoke.

 Smoking injures blood vessels and speeds up the hardening of the arteries. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. If you do smoke, quitting will lower your risk for heart disease and stroke.