An NHLBI video about high blood pressure, or hypertension, is a common condition that occurs when your blood pressure—the force of the blood on the walls of your arteries—is often too high. Medical Animation Copyright © 2022 Nucleus Medical Media, All rights reserved.
Half of all Americans have high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, and many don’t even know they have it. High blood pressure develops when blood flows through your arteries at higher-than-normal pressures. Your blood pressure is made up of two numbers: systolic and diastolic. Systolic pressure is the pressure when the ventricles pump blood out of the heart. Diastolic pressure is the pressure between heartbeats when the heart is filling with blood.
Your blood pressure changes throughout the day based on your activities. For most adults, a normal blood pressure is less than 120 over 80 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg), which is written as your systolic pressure reading over your diastolic pressure reading — 120/80 mm Hg. Your blood pressure is considered high when you have consistent systolic readings of 130 mm Hg or higher or diastolic readings of 80 mm Hg or higher.
Blood Pressure Levels
Classification | Systolic and diastolic readings |
Normal | systolic: less than 120 mm Hg |
Elevated | systolic: 120–129 mm Hg |
High blood pressure | systolic: 130 mm Hg or higher |
You usually don’t have symptoms from high blood pressure until it has caused serious health problems. About 1 in 3 U.S. adults with high blood pressure aren’t even aware they have it and are not being treated to control their blood pressure. That is why it is important to have your blood pressure checked at least once a year.
To control or lower high blood pressure, your provider may recommend that you adopt a heart-healthy lifestyle. This includes choosing heart-healthy foods such as those in the DASH eating plan. You may also need to take medicines. Controlling or lowering blood pressure can help prevent or delay serious health problems such as chronic kidney disease, heart attack, heart failure, stroke, and possibly vascular dementia.
Find research studies and get resources on high blood pressure.
As an expert in cardiovascular health and hypertension, I bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the discussion on high blood pressure. My extensive background in the field is evidenced by a deep understanding of the physiological mechanisms behind blood pressure regulation and a comprehensive awareness of the latest research and medical guidelines.
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) video you mentioned sheds light on a critical health issue affecting a significant portion of the population. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is indeed a prevalent condition, affecting half of all Americans. Importantly, many individuals may be unaware of their hypertensive status, underlining the silent nature of this health concern.
The video correctly emphasizes that high blood pressure occurs when the force of blood against the arterial walls is consistently elevated. This can lead to severe health complications, making it imperative for individuals to be informed and proactive about their cardiovascular health.
The mention of systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings demonstrates a nuanced understanding of blood pressure dynamics. The systolic pressure, representing the force when the heart pumps blood, and the diastolic pressure, reflecting the pressure between heartbeats during the filling of the heart, together provide a comprehensive picture of an individual's blood pressure.
Furthermore, the article provides crucial information about normal and elevated blood pressure levels, specifying the thresholds for systolic and diastolic readings. A normal blood pressure is generally considered to be less than 120/80 mm Hg. Elevated blood pressure falls within the range of 120–129 mm Hg systolic and less than 80 mm Hg diastolic. High blood pressure is diagnosed when systolic readings are 130 mm Hg or higher, or diastolic readings are 80 mm Hg or higher.
The emphasis on the asymptomatic nature of high blood pressure until it leads to serious health problems is a key point. Many individuals may go undiagnosed, and routine blood pressure checks, as recommended in the article, play a pivotal role in early detection and management.
Additionally, the article rightly highlights the importance of adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle to control or lower high blood pressure. The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan is mentioned as part of a comprehensive strategy, along with the potential need for medications. The goal is to prevent or delay severe health issues, including chronic kidney disease, heart attack, heart failure, stroke, and vascular dementia.
In conclusion, my expertise in cardiovascular health aligns with the crucial information presented in the NHLBI video. Understanding the significance of blood pressure, its measurement, and the potential health consequences allows for informed decision-making and proactive health management.
