You’ve certainly heard the saying, “you need to calm down, your blood pressure is going to be through the roof!” But what exactly is your blood pressure and why is it such a big deal?
“Blood pressure” is the force of blood pushing against the walls 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. High blood pressure (HBP) is a serious condition that can lead to coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke, kidney failure, and other health problems.
About 1 in 3 adults in the United States has HBP. The condition itself usually has no signs or symptoms. You can have it for years without knowing it. During this time, though, HBP can damage your heart, blood vessels, kidneys, and other parts of your body.
Knowing your blood pressure numbers is important, even when you’re feeling fine. If your blood pressure is normal, you can work with your health care team to keep it that way. If your blood pressure is too high, treatment may help prevent damage to your body’s organs.
Depicting Blood Pressure Numbers
Categories for Blood Pressure 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 |
Heredity, diet, and lifestyle can play a big role in your blood pressure numbers. It is important to be aware of what your blood pressure is, and to work to keep it within healthy levels. For more information regarding High Blood Pressure including, causes, treatment, prevention, and more, visit the National Institute of Health’s National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute page at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/hbp/.