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A silent risk
About half of American adults have high blood pressure (hypertension), and many don't know it, because there are usually no warning signs. Left alone, it can lead to life-threatening problems such as heart attack and stroke. The good news: it can often be prevented or treated, and early diagnosis plus heart-healthy habits can protect your health.
What the numbers mean
Each heartbeat pumps blood into your arteries, the vessels carrying blood to your tissues and organs. Blood pressure is the force of that blood against the artery walls, measured as two numbers:
- Systolic (the first, higher number): pressure when the heart beats.
- Diastolic (the second, lower number): pressure when the heart rests between beats.
A reading of 120/80 means systolic 120 and diastolic 80.
Diagnosis: since it rarely causes symptoms, the only way to know is regular checks. Your provider uses a cuff with a gauge and a stethoscope or electronic sensor, and takes two or more readings at separate visits before diagnosing it.
| Category | Systolic | Diastolic | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal | less than 120 | and | less than 80 |
| Elevated | 120–129 | and | less than 80 |
| High, stage 1 | 130–139 | or | 80–89 |
| High, stage 2 | 140 or higher | or | 90 or higher |
| Hypertensive crisis — get care right away | higher than 180 | and | higher than 120 |
For children and teens, readings are compared with those of others the same age, height and sex.
Who's at higher risk
- Age — blood pressure tends to rise with age.
- Race — high blood pressure is more common in Black adults, who also tend to have higher numbers and develop it earlier.
- Sex — men are more likely to develop it through middle age; in older adults, women are.
- Lifestyle — too much sodium (salt), too little potassium, little exercise, too much alcohol and smoking.
- Family history and genes — it often runs in families, and many genes each add a little risk.
- Social and economic factors — income, education, where you live and your job (for example, early or late shifts); discrimination, poverty and childhood trauma have also been linked to it.
- Some medicines — certain antidepressants, decongestants, hormonal birth control pills and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), a type of pain reliever.
- Other conditions — some tumors, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, overweight and obesity, sleep apnea and thyroid problems.
How to prevent it
- Eat well: limit sodium, get more potassium, choose lower-fat foods, and eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. The DASH eating plan is one example that can lower blood pressure.
- Be active regularly, which also helps keep a healthy weight.
- Stay at a healthy weight — overweight and obesity raise your risk.
- Limit alcohol, which raises blood pressure and adds calories.
- Don't smoke — or ask your provider for help quitting; smoking raises blood pressure and the risk of heart attack and stroke.
- Manage stress — with exercise, music, focusing on something calm, or meditation.
- Get enough good sleep.
Already have it? Keep it from getting worse with regular care and your treatment plan — healthy habits and possibly medicines.
Sources
Based on "How to Prevent High Blood Pressure," MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine, drawing on the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; a work of the United States government in the public domain.
Licens: CC0 1.0 (offentligt eje) · Bearbejdet efter medlineplus.gov
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