High blood pressure, or hypertension, increases your chances of developing heart disease or kidney disease and of having a stroke. About one in every four American adults has high blood pressure but may not be aware of it. It is often called “the silent killer” because it usually causes no symptoms. However, high blood pressure is easy to diagnose, and there are practical steps you can take to bring your blood pressure under control.
People with high blood pressure have elevated blood pressure most of the time. Their blood is pushing against the walls of their arteries with higher than normal force.
Different activities make your blood pressure rise or fall. For example, normally, blood pressure rises when you are exercising and falls when you are resting. A blood pressure reading of 140/90 mm Hg or lower is generally considered normal. High blood pressure is classified according to guidelines that reflect the levels at which blood pressure begins to pose significant health risks.