What is high blood pressure?

High blood pressure measures the force pushing against artery walls and is divided into four categories. What is high blood pressure? Blood pressure measures the force pushing against your artery walls when your heart beats and when it rests. The systolic pressure (top number) measures the pressure against your artery walls when your heart beats (contracts) and pushes blood throughout circulation. The diastolic pressure (bottom number) is the pressure against your artery walls when your heart relaxes (in between beats). High blood pressure is diagnosed when the pressure against artery walls is higher than normal. Another term for high blood pressure is hypertension. 4 Blood Pressure Categories The Joint National Committee defines four blood pressure categories. Very High Range - Stage 2 Hypertensionr Systolic (top) blood pressure 160 mm Hg or highr Diastolic (bottom) blood pressure 100 mm Hg or higherr If in this range you have hypertension (high blood pressure). High Range - Stage 1 Hypertensionr Systolic (top) blood pressure 140 - 159 mm Hgr Diastolic (bottom) blood pressure 90 - 99 mm Hgr If in this range you have hypertension (high blood pressure). Caution Range - Prehypertensionr Systolic (top) blood pressure 120 - 139 mm Hgr Diastolic (bottom) blood pressure 80 - 89 mm Hgr Take action! Normal Range - Normalr Systolic (top) blood pressure below 120 mm Hgr Diastolic (bottom) blood pressure below 80 mm Hgr Perfect! Usually high blood pressure is diagnosed after more than one elevated blood pressure reading. Why is high blood pressure dangerous? Arteries are made of muscle and tissues that allow them to be elastic and stretch. As blood pressure rises arteries are required to expand further to accommodate blood flow. High blood pressure leads to many health complications, including damage to blood vessels, the heart, and kidneys. If not treated, high blood pressure may contribute to a heart attack and death.