| Most everyone knows that high blood pressure, also | | | | A systolic reading of less than 120 and a diastolic |
| known as hypertension, is bad for you. But what is | | | | number of under 80 is considered normal. The next |
| high blood pressure and what do the different | | | | higher stage is called pre-hypertension and occurs |
| measurements mean when your blood pressure is | | | | when the systolic pressure is between 120-139 and |
| taken? Blood pressure is the measurement of the | | | | diastolic readings of between 80-89. A reading of |
| force needed to pump your blood through the | | | | above 140/90 puts you in the range of hypertension, |
| arteries (large blood vessels.) The beat of your heart, | | | | or high blood pressure. The higher your reading, the |
| normally between sixty to seventy times a minute at | | | | more trouble you may be in due to risk of stroke |
| rest, forces the blood out with each beat. | | | | and heart disease, among other problems. |
| Systolic pressure is the force when this occurs and | | | | You can have hypertension and not even realize it at |
| the pressure measurement is the highest at this time. | | | | first, because often there are no early symptoms. |
| This is the top or first number on your measurement. | | | | There is no cure and many causes. But there are also |
| The lower or second number is the diastolic pressure. | | | | many avenues of treatment that can help reduce |
| This measures the force when your heart is at rest | | | | your hypertension, including lifestyle changes. |
| between the beats. The pressure falls during this | | | | Reducing your weight, increasing physical activity, |
| brief period of time and so will always be lower than | | | | smoking cessation and certain drugs can all help. Talk |
| the systolic reading. | | | | to your doctor about what may work for you. |