Know your numbers
High blood pressure has no signs or symptoms, but measuring it to stay healthy is quick and painless.
Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries that carry blood from your heart to other parts of your body. It normally rises and falls throughout the day, but it can damage your heart and cause health problems if it stays high for a long time. Did you know … one in every three adults has high blood pressure?
What blood pressure numbers mean
Blood pressure is measured using two numbers. The first number, called systolic blood pressure, represents the pressure in your blood vessels when your heart beats. The second number, called diastolic blood pressure, represents the pressure in your blood vessels when your heart rests between beats.
Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). A blood pressure less than 120/80 mmHg is normal. A blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg or more is too high. People with levels from 120/80 mmHg to 139/89 mmHg have a condition called smart, which means they are at high risk for high blood pressure.
Blood Pressure Levels
Normal systolic: less than 120 mmHg; diastolic: less than 80 mmHg
At risk (prehypertension) systolic: 120–139 mmHg; diastolic: 80–89 mmHg
High systolic: 140 mmHg or higher; diastolic: 90 mmHg or higher
Keeping your blood pressure levels in a healthy range usually involves taking medications, maintaining a healthy weight, reducing sodium in your diet, getting daily physical activity and quitting smoking.