Blood Pressure

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Blood Pressure: Understand, Monitor & Manage Your Health

Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps blood around your body. Keeping blood pressure within a healthy range is an important part of maintaining heart and overall health.

Blood pressure can change throughout the day depending on factors such as activity, stress, sleep, diet, and medications. Regular monitoring can help you and your healthcare professional understand your blood pressure over time.

What Is Blood Pressure?

Blood pressure is measured using two numbers:

Systolic Blood Pressure

The top number represents the pressure in your arteries when your heart contracts and pumps blood.

Diastolic Blood Pressure

The bottom number represents the pressure in your arteries when your heart relaxes between beats.

A blood pressure reading is usually written as systolic/diastolic, such as 120/80 mmHg.

Blood Pressure Categories

Blood pressure readings are generally grouped into different categories based on the systolic and diastolic numbers.

Normal Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is within the healthy range.

Elevated Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is higher than normal but may not meet the criteria for hypertension.

High Blood Pressure

Blood pressure that remains consistently high may be diagnosed as hypertension by a healthcare professional.

Low Blood Pressure

Blood pressure that is unusually low may cause symptoms in some people, although low readings are not always a problem.

Important

A single blood pressure reading does not necessarily diagnose a condition. Your healthcare professional may consider multiple readings and other health factors.

What Can Affect Blood Pressure?

Many factors can influence blood pressure, including:

Age

Family History

Physical Activity

Body Weight

Diet & Sodium Intake

Stress

Sleep

Tobacco Use

Alcohol Consumption

Certain Medications

Other Health Conditions

Common Signs of High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure often does not cause noticeable symptoms, which is why it is sometimes called a “silent” condition.

When blood pressure becomes very high, some people may experience:

✓ Severe headache
✓ Dizziness
✓ Vision changes
✓ Chest discomfort
✓ Shortness of breath
✓ Confusion

Very high blood pressure with concerning symptoms requires prompt medical attention.

Why Monitor Blood Pressure?

Regular monitoring can help identify changes in blood pressure and provide useful information for you and your healthcare professional.

Learn how to check your blood pressure →

Quick Tips

✓ Measure at consistent times when recommended.
✓ Use the correct cuff size.
✓ Sit quietly before measuring.
✓ Record your readings.
✓ Take multiple readings when instructed.
✓ Share your readings with your healthcare professional.

When to See a Doctor

Talk with a healthcare professional if:

✓ Your blood pressure readings are repeatedly higher than recommended.
✓ Your readings are consistently very low.
✓ You have symptoms that concern you.
✓ You are taking blood pressure medicine and your readings change significantly.
✓ You are unsure how to measure your blood pressure correctly.

Talk with a healthcare professional →

Seek Emergency Medical Care

If you have severe chest pain, severe difficulty breathing, sudden weakness or numbness, difficulty speaking, sudden vision changes, or other signs of a medical emergency, seek immediate medical care.

Follow your healthcare professional's emergency instructions when applicable.