High Blood Pressure / Hypertension

                                                                High blood pressure (hypertension) is a medical condition involving high pressure in the arteries. Arteries are blood vessels that transport blood from the heart to different parts of the body. High blood pressure is problematic because it causes the heart to work harder to pump blood throughout the body.

This can result in hardening of arteries, or atherosclerosis as the condition is called. Other complications of high blood pressure include kidney disease, eye damage, heart failure, and stroke (brain damage from oxygen deprivation). Blood pressure readings are provided as two numbers:

The top number, measuring systolic pressure, represents the pressure in the arteries when the heart contracts.

The bottom number, measuring diastolic pressure, is the blood pressure in the arteries when the heart relaxes.

According to the latest guidelines published by the American College of Cardiology in 2017, blood pressure can be measured as follows:

• Normal: When blood pressure is 120/80
• Elevated: When blood pressure is between 120/80 and 129/80
• High blood pressure stage 1: When blood pressure is 130/80 or above
• High blood pressure stage 2: When blood pressure is 140/90 or above
• Hypertension crisis: Seek immediate medical help if blood pressure is 180/120 or above