High blood pressure (hypertension) is a medical issue that affects more than a few million Americans every year. Often there are no overt signs of having high blood pressure for many years, which can make this condition dangerous and lead into other serious health problems. High blood pressure occurs when the force of blood against blood vessels becomes too great over an extended period of time and it can often lead to heart problems or stroke. This condition is easily treatable and often preventable. Proper diet and exercise go a long way in helping to maintain a healthy blood pressure. This includes avoiding excess salt in food and exercising regularly with moderate to high intensity where possible. Medication is also a safe option in controlling hypertension. Check with your provider to make sure your blood pressure is within a healthy range or to see what you can do to get it there.
According to the American Heart Association, the ranges from normal to hypertensive crisis in measuring blood pressure are as follows:
Blood Pressure Ranges Systolic Diastolic
- Normal: Less than 120 and 80
- Elevated: 120-129 and 80 or less
- Hypertension Stage 1: 130-139 or 80-89
- Hypertension Stage 2: 140 or higher or 90 or higher
- Hypertensive Crisis: Higher than 180 and/or Higher than 120
A blood pressure is measured with two values (i.e. 118/70), the top value or systolic blood pressure is a measurement of pressure on blood vessels when the heart is contracting and the lower value or diastolic pressure is the measurement of pressure on blood vessels when the heart is relaxing (in between beats).