Health Authority

High blood pressure (hypertension) or hypertension means high pressure (tension) in the arteries. The arteries are the vessels that carry blood from the heart pumping all tissues and organs. High blood pressure does not mean excessive emotional tension, although emotional tension and stress can temporarily increase blood pressure. Normal blood pressure is under 120/80, blood pressure between 120/80 and 139/89 is called "pre-hypertension" and a blood pressure of 140/90 or higher is considered high.










The top number, systolic pressure, represents the pressure in the arteries when the heart contracts and pumps blood forward into the arteries. The bottom number, diastolic pressure, represents the pressure in the arteries when the heart relaxes after contraction. The diastolic pressure reflects the lowest pressure in the arteries are exposed.

Elevation of systolic and / or diastolic blood pressure increases the risk of developing cardiovascular (heart) disease, kidney (renal) disease, hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis or arteriosclerosis), eye damage and stroke (brain damage). These complications of hypertension is often called organ damage because damage to these organs is the result of chronic (long term) for high blood pressure. Therefore, the diagnosis of hypertension is important to try to normalize blood pressure and prevent complications.

It was previously thought that rises in diastolic blood pressure risk factor systolic most important place, but now we know that blood pressure systolic persons 50 years or more is a significant risk.

American Heart Association estimates hypertension affects about one in three adults in the United States - 73 million people. Hypertension is also affecting about two million American teenagers and children, Journal of the American Medical Association reports that many are under-diagnosed. Hypertension is clearly a major public health problem.