Blood pressure is the force or pressure of blood pushing against the walls of blood vessels. When you have hypertension (high blood pressure), the pressure in your blood vessels is consistently too high. High blood pressure is sometimes referred to as the “silent killer” since you may be unaware that something is wrong, yet the damage is still taking place within your body.
There are two numbers in your blood pressure reading. The systolic blood pressure, which measures the pressure on the blood vessel walls when your heart beats or contracts, is the highest value. The lowest figure is your diastolic blood pressure, which measures the pressure in your blood vessels between heartbeats when your heart is relaxing.
Who Is More Likely to Develop High Blood Pressure?
- People who have relatives with high blood pressure
- Smokers
- African-Americans
- Women who are pregnant
- People above the age of 35
- People who are overweight or obese
- People who are inactive
- People who consume excessive amounts of alcohol
- People who consume an excessive amount of fatty or salty foods
- People who suffer from sleep apnea
When to see a doctor
Your blood pressure will most likely be taken as part of a standard doctor’s visit.
Beginning at the age of 18, ask your doctor for a blood pressure reading at least every two years. Ask your doctor for a blood pressure reading every year if you’re 40 or older, or if you’re 18 to 39 and at high risk of high blood pressure.