High Blood Pressure

     High blood pressure HBP is a serious condition that can lead to coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke, kidney failure, and other health problems.

Blood pressure is force of blood pushing against the wall’s of the arteries as the heart pumps blood . If this pressure rises and stays high over time it can damage the body in many ways.

      Hypertension (HTN) or high blood pressure (HBP) is a cardiac chronic medical conditions in which the systemic arterial blood pressure is elevate. It is the opposite of hypo tension. Hypertension is classified as either primary or secondary. 90–95% of cases are termed Primary Hypertension, which refers to high blood pressure for which no medical cause can be found. Remaining 5–10% of cases Secondary hypertension is caused by other condition that affect the kidneys, arteries, heart, or endocrine system.

      The condition itself usually has no signs or symptoms. We can have it for years without knowing it. During this time, though, HBP can damage our heart, blood vessel, kidney, and other parts of  body.

Knowing our blood pressure numbers is important, even when we feeling fine. If  blood pressure is normal, we can work with our health care team to keep it that way. If our blood pressure is too high, treatment may help prevent damage to your body's organs.

Blood Pressure Numbers

      Blood pressure is measured as systolic (sis-TOL-ik) and diastolic (di-ah-STOL-ik) pressures. "Systolic" refers to blood pressure when the heart beats while pumping blood. "Diastolic" refers to blood pressure when the heart is at rest between beats.

      We most often will see blood pressure numbers written with the systolic number above or before the diastolic number, such as 120/80 mmHg. (The mmHg is millimeters of mercury—the units used to measure blood pressure.)

     The table below shows normal blood pressure numbers for adults. It also shows which numbers put you at greater risk for health problems.

Categories for B P Levels in Adults -measured in millimeters of mercury, or mmHg

Category	Systolic (top number)		Diastolic (bottom number)
Normal	Less than 120	And	Less than 80
Prehypertension	120–139	Or	80–89
High blood pressure
Stage 1	140–159	Or	90–99
Stage 2	160 or higher	Or	100 or higher

      The range in the table apply to most adults aged 18 and older who do not have short term serious illnesses.

       Blood pressure doesn't stay the same all the time. It lowers as we sleep and rises when we wake up. Blood pressure also rises when we are excited, nervous, or active. If your numbers stay above normal most of the time we are at risk for ills. The risk grows as BP numbers rise. "Prehypertension" means we may end up with HBP, unless you take steps to prevent it.

      If being treated for High Blood Pressure and have repeat readings in the normal range, our BP is under control. However, we still have the condition. See  doctor and follow treatment plan to keep BP under control.  Our systolic and diastolic numbers may not be in the same BP category. In this case, the more severe category is the one you're in. For example, if your systolic number is 160 and your diastolic number is 80, you have stage 2 High Blood Pressure. If your systolic number is 120 and your diastolic number is 95, you have stage 1 High Blood Pressure.

     If diabetes or chronic kidney disease, High Blood Pressure is defined as 130/80 mmHg or higher. High Blood Pressure numbers also differ for children and teens. (For more information, go to "How Is High Blood Pressure Diagnosed?")

    Blood pressure tends to rise with age. Following a healthy lifestyle helps some people delay or prevent this rise in blood pressure. People who have HBP can take steps to control it and reduce their risk for related health problems. Key steps include following a healthy lifestyle, having ongoing medical care, and following your treatment plan.