Blood Pressure Readings
Blood pressure is recorded as two numbers that are measured as millimeters of mercury (mmHg).
What is high blood pressure?
The heart pumps blood into the arteries, which carry blood throughout your body. Blood pressure is the force/pressure of blood inside the arteries. High blood pressure (hypertension) means the pressure in your arteries is higher than normal.
Systolic Blood Pressure
The pressure in the arteries when your heart is squeezing and the arteries are filled with blood. Systolic blood pressure is the top (first) number of your blood pressure reading.
Diastolic Blood Pressure
The pressure in the arteries when the heart is resting between beats. Diastolic blood pressure is the bottom (second) number of your blood pressure reading.
Normal Blood Pressure - For an adult, relaxed at rest.
- Measurement - Less than 120/80 mmHg.
- Treatment - Healthy lifestyle.
Elevated Blood Pressure
- Measurement - Systolic: 120-129 mmHg and Diastolic: less than 80 mmHg.
- Treatment - Modify lifestyle.
Stage 1 Hypertension
- Measurement - Systolic: 130-139 mmHg or Diastolic: 80-89 mmHg.
- Treatment - Assess risk factors for cardiovascular disease and make lifestyle changes and/or take medication.
Stage 2 Hypertension
- Measurement - Systolic: Greater than 139 mmHg or Diastolic: Greater than 89 mmHg.
- Treatment - Make lifestyle changes and take medication.
Talk to your doctor about what your blood pressure goal should be. The goal for most adults is 120/80. If you have a medical condition such as diabetes or chronic kidney disease, your doctor may give you a different goal.
What is a heart attack?
A heart attack means your heart muscle has permanent damage caused by a loss of blood flow to your heart. A network of blood vessels (coronary arteries) surround the heart muscle and supply it with oxygen-rich blood. Your heart needs this oxygen to work properly.
A heart attack happens when a clot or spasm blocks a coronary artery. The part of the heart muscle that gets blood from the blocked artery can’t get enough oxygen, and it becomes damaged.
What is the link between high blood pressure and heart attack?
High blood pressure increases your risk of coronary artery disease (atherosclerosis). Coronary artery disease is the build-up of a fatty substance, called plaque, inside your coronary arteries. With time, the build-up causes the arteries to become more narrow. This, in turn, limits or blocks the flow of blood to your heart muscle.
People with high blood pressure are more likely to develop coronary artery disease because high blood pressure puts extra force on the artery walls. Over time, this pressure can damage the arteries. These injured arteries are more likely to become narrowed and hardened by fatty deposits.
Damaged arteries cannot send enough oxygen to other parts of the body. For this reason, high blood pressure can harm your brain and kidneys. High blood pressure also increases your risk of stroke, congestive heart failure and kidney disease.
What are the symptoms of high blood pressure?
Most people with high blood pressure do not have symptoms. Hypertension is often called the "silent killer" because it causes damage without you knowing anything is wrong.
How often should I get my blood pressure checked?
Have your blood pressure checked by a healthcare provider once a year, or more often if your doctor recommends it. Even children should have their blood pressure checked as part of their routine physical exams. Do not rely on blood pressure machines at drug stores and other places. They are not always accurate.
If you have high blood pressure, ask your healthcare provider how often you need to have your blood pressure checked.
How can I manage my high blood pressure?
Your healthcare provider will talk to you about making changes to help manage your blood pressure. These changes may include:
Diet and lifestyle changes, such as:
- Reach and stay at your ideal body weight.
- Get regular exercise.
- Eat a well-balanced diet that is low in salt, fat and cholesterol and contains lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. Your diet is an important part of blood pressure control. The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan and limiting sodium (salt) help control blood pressure. Ask your doctor to refer you to a dietitian for specific diet guidelines. More information is available from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute at nhlbi.nih.gov or the American Heart Association at heart.org.
- Ask your doctor how much alcohol is safe for you to drink.
- Quit smoking and using all tobacco products.
- Other lifestyle changes, such as controlling lipid levels (LDL, cholesterol, triglycerides) and managing other health conditions, such as diabetes.
Medications and follow-up visits
- You may need to take medication to control your blood pressure. Do not stop taking blood pressure medication or any other medication without first asking your doctor. Talk to your doctor about taking other medications, such as over-the-counter decongestants, which affect the way your blood pressure medication works and cause your blood pressure to go up.
- Keep all follow-up appointments with your doctor. These are important to make sure your treatment plan is working.
