High Blood Pressure
Also known as Hypertension
What is blood pressure?
Your heart pumps blood through blood vessels to all the parts
of your body. The strength of this pumping is your blood
pressure. Normal blood vessels are open wide, so that blood
moves freely.
When your blood pressure is high, it can damage blood vessels.
If you have high blood pressure, you may feel fine. People with
high blood pressure do not always have symptoms. This is why
it is sometimes called the “silent killer.”
What causes high blood pressure?
• Smoking
• Being overweight
• Eating too much salt
• Stress
• Drinking too much alcohol
• Not getting regular exercise
Blood Vessel
Systolic pressure is measured when
the heart contracts.
Normal
Prehypertension
Hypertension
Diastolic pressure is measured when
the relaxes between beats.
What puts you at risk for high blood pressure?
• Older age
• Race (African Americans are at a higher risk)
• Family history
What can I do to lower my blood pressure?
• Eat a low salt diet
• Exercise regularly
• Take your medications as ordered by your medical provider
• Reduce stress
• Do NOT smoke
• Lose weight
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Why is high blood pressure dangerous?
High blood pressure can lead to:
• Heart attack
• Kidney disease
• Stroke
• Eye disease
If you have high blood pressure, you should
speak with your medical provider about
when to call 911 and when to call the medical
provider’s office.
Emergency symptoms of high blood pressure
may include:
• Severe Headache
• Shortness of breath
• Nose bleeds
• Blood spots in your eyes
• Dizziness
• Facial flushing
• Anxiety
What do my blood pressure numbers mean?
Normal Blood Pressure = 120/80
Pre-Hypertension
= 120-139/80-90
Hypertension
= 140-179/91-109
Crisis
= 180/110 or Higher
*The latest medical guideline recommends controlling blood pressure to less than 140/90 mmHg for
a population less than 60 years of age and 150/90mmHg for populations aged 60 years or older.
*
2014 Evidence-Based Guideline for the Management of High
Blood Pressure in Adults : Report From the Panel Members
Appointed to the Eighth Joint National Committee (JNC 8)
JAMA. 2014;311(5):507-520. doi:10.1001/jama.2013.284427
If you have any questions about High Blood Pressure,
call Enrollee Services. The phone number to call is
1-888-FHN-4YOU (346-4968) or talk to your medical provider.
REFERENCES
American Heart Association
7272 Greenville Ave.
Dallas, TX 75231
1-800-242-872-1
www.heart.org/HEARTORG
National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
Building 31, Room 5A52
31 Center Drive MSC 2486
Bethesda, MD 20892
Mailing address
NHLBI Health Information Center
P.O. Box 30105
Bethesda, MD 20824-0105
301-592-8573
www.nhlbi.nih.gov