Hypertension

About 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. has high blood pressure. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. That is why knowing your blood pressure is vital, even when you feel fine. People with high blood pressure also have a greater chance of getting heart disease or having other medical problems. 

Your blood pressure is measured using 2 numbers. These numbers are for systolic and diastolic pressures. When you visit a doctor's office, your blood pressure readings are taken. Here is what the test results mean: 

• Systolic pressure: when the heart beats while pumping blood 
• Diastolic pressure: when the heart is at rest between beats 

Often, blood pressure numbers are written with the systolic number above or before the diastolic. An example of this is 120/80. In a normal blood pressure for adults, the systolic, or top number, should be less than 120. The diastolic, or the bottom number, should be less than 80. 

High blood pressure may be caused by many things. These can include: 

• Certain health problems. These may include chronic kidney disease, thyroid disease and sleep apnea.
• Certain medicines. These may include drugs for asthma, allergies and cold relief. 
• Using birth control pills, hormone replacement or being pregnant. 
• Family history. Some people may inherit a gene that adds to their high blood pressure risk. 
• Aging. Older people are more likely to have high blood pressure. Over half of all Americans over 60 years old have high blood pressure. 
• Race/ethnicity. Certain ethnic groups are more likely to get high blood pressure. 
• Unhealthy lifestyle. Factors that lead to this may be:
  • Eating foods that are unhealthy or high in salt.
  • Being overweight.
  • Being physically inactive.
  • Smoking and drinking too much alcohol.

Hypertension is often treated by making changes in your lifestyle and with medication. Treatment can help control blood pressure. But, it will not cure high blood pressure. If you stop treatment, your blood pressure and risk for other health problems may rise. For a healthy future, follow your treatment plan closely. Work with your doctor for lasting blood pressure control. 

Lifestyle changes you can make that might help include: 

• Losing weight.
• Quitting smoking.
• Eating healthy food.
• Getting enough exercise. 
• Managing stress.

Get more information about high blood pressure.