Blood pressure is the force of blood as it pushes against the artery walls. When the pressure is measured, two numbers are calculated: Systolic pressure occurs when the heart pumps blood, and diastolic pressure is when the heart rests between beats. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is diagnosed when blood pressure remains elevated above a normal range for measurements on two or more different days.
Measurement
Blood pressure is always measured as two numbers, with the systolic number written above the diastolic or before it, as in 110/80. It is said as "110 over 80."
Identification
A continued systolic blood pressure of 140 or higher, or diastolic blood pressure of 90 or higher, is considered hypertension.
Warning
High diastolic blood pressure makes the heart work too hard, and increases the person's risk for a heart attack, congestive heart disease, stroke and kidney damage. The higher the number, the greater the risk.
Stages
Hypertension diagnosis is divided into stages depending on the measurements. Stage 1 diastolic is 90 to 99, and the more dangerous stage 2 diastolic is 100 or higher.
Treatment
Prehypertension with a diastolic number of 80 to 89 is commonly treated with lifestyle changes. Higher blood pressure also can be treated with lifestyle changes, but physicians often prescribe medication as well, at least on a short-term basis.
Tags: blood pressure, blood pressure higher, diastolic blood, diastolic blood pressure, lifestyle changes