Atherosclerosis is the leading cause of heart attacks. The higher artery pressure may lead to atherosclerosis, in which deposits of cholesterol, fatty substances, and blood cells clog up an artery. Blood vessel damage is bad because hardened or narrowed arteries may be unable to supply the amount of blood the body's organs need. Over time, blood vessels may become hardened. The higher pressure in your arteries may cause them to weaken and bleed, resulting in a stroke. When your blood pressure is high, your heart has to work harder just to pump a normal amount of blood through your body. High blood pressure increases your risk of cardiovascular disease (heart or blood vessel disease). Systolic high blood pressure is more common as people get older. Stage-2 high blood pressure is over 160/100.Stage-1 high blood pressure ranges from a systolic pressure of 140 to 159 or a diastolic pressure of 90 to 99.Prehypertension is a systolic pressure of 120 to 139 or a diastolic pressure of 80 to 89.Healthy blood pressure is less than 120/80.The second number (80 in this example) is the pressure when the heart rests between beats (diastolic pressure). The first number (120 in this example) is the pressure when the heart pushes blood out to the rest of the body. Normal blood pressure ranges up to 120/80 mm Hg ("120 over 80"), but blood pressure can rise and fall with exercise, rest, or emotions. (When the cause of hypertension is known, such as kidney disease and tumors, it is called secondary hypertension.) About 95% of all people with high blood pressure have essential hypertension.īlood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). Hypertension is called essential or primary when no cause for the high blood pressure can be found. Hypertension is the term for blood pressure that keeps being higher than normal. You think you may be having side effects from your blood pressure medicine.High Blood Pressure (Essential Hypertension) What is essential hypertension? Blood pressure is the force of blood against artery walls as the heart pumps blood through the body.That means the top number is higher or the bottom number is higher, or both. Your blood pressure measures higher than your doctor recommends at least 2 times.Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if: You are dizzy or light-headed, or you feel like you may faint.You think high blood pressure is causing symptoms such as:.Your blood pressure is much higher than normal (such as 180/120 or higher).For example, call if:Ĭall your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if: If it's still high or low, use the following guidance.Ĭall 9-1-1 anytime you think you may need emergency care. If you take your blood pressure and it is out of the normal range, wait a few minutes and take it again. One high or low blood pressure reading by itself may not mean you need to call for help. Another cause is dehydration, which is when your body loses too much fluid. These medicines include certain asthma medicines and cold remedies.Ī low blood pressure reading can be caused by many things, including some medicines, a severe allergic reaction, or an infection. Some medicines can cause your blood pressure to go up. Things like exercise, stress, and sleeping can affect your blood pressure. It's normal for blood pressure to go up and down throughout the day. What can cause blood pressure to go up or down? Your doctor will give you a goal for your blood pressure. If the top number stays high, or the bottom number stays high, or both, that means you have high blood pressure (hypertension). This is the force of blood on the artery walls between heartbeats. The second number is the diastolic pressure (bottom number). This is the force of blood on the artery walls as your heart pumps. The first number is the systolic pressure (top number). Blood pressure readings include two numbers. Overview What do your blood pressure numbers mean?īlood pressure is a measure of the force of blood against the walls of your arteries.
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