Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, is a medical condition where the force of the blood against the walls of your arteries is consistently too high. This condition can increase the risk of serious health problems, including heart disease, stroke, kidney damage, and vision loss.

What Is Blood Pressure?

Blood pressure is a measure of the force exerted by circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels (arteries). It's expressed as two numbers:

• Systolic pressure: The higher number, which measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats and pumps blood.
• Diastolic pressure: The lower number, which measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart is at rest between beats.

Normal Blood Pressure Range:

Normal: Less than 120/80 mm Hg (millimeters of mercury)

Elevated: Systolic between 120-129 mm Hg and diastolic less than 80 mm Hg

Hypertension Stage 1: Systolic between 130-139 mm Hg or diastolic between 80-89 mm Hg

Hypertension Stage 2: Systolic 140 mm Hg or higher or diastolic 90 mm Hg or higher

Hypertensive Crisis: Systolic higher than 180 mm Hg or diastolic higher than 120 mm Hg, which requires immediate medical attention.