Last updated 10/6/22

What is high blood pressure?

High blood pressure or hypertension is when the force of blood flow against artery walls is too high.

What are the risks of high blood pressure?

High blood pressure, if left untreated, can contribute to:

• Stroke
• Heart attack
• Heart failure
• Kidney disease
• Vision loss
• Sexual dysfunction
• Dementia

What do my blood pressure readings mean?

Systolic blood pressure is the upper number. This is the pressure of blood flow against the artery walls when your heart pushes blood out to the rest of your body.

Diastolic blood pressure is the lower number. This is the pressure of blood flow against the artery walls when your heart relaxes.

Who is at increased risk of developing high blood pressure?

There are risk factors that can increase your chance of developing high blood pressure.

Risk factors you cannot change:

• Age (Older age)
• Gender (Men < 65 years old, Women ≥ 65 years old)
• Race/Ethnicity (African American or South Asian)
• Family history of high blood pressure

Risk factors you can change:

• Tobacco use
• Alcohol use
• Overweight or Obesity
• Diet high in salt (sodium)
• Stress
• Lack of sleep or poor sleep quality
• Lack of physical activity