High blood pressure is often called the “silent killer,” because you can have it for years and not even know it. Untreated, high blood pressure is dangerous. It can lead to a stroke, a heart attack, kidney failure, and blindness.

Knowing the facts about blood pressure and what you can do to maintain a healthy level are important to your health.

A blood pressure reading below 120/80 mmHg is considered normal. Prehypertension (border line to high blood pressure) is a blood pressure between 120 and 139 for the top number and 80 and 89 for the bottom number.

You have high blood pressure if your blood pressure reading is 140/90 mmHg or higher. Both numbers are important. If one or both numbers are usually high, you have high blood pressure.

Your Chances of Getting High Blood Pressure Are Higher If You:

• Are overweight.
• Are a man over the age of 45.
• Are a woman over the age of 55.
• Have a family history of high blood pressure.
• Have “prehypertension”.

Other Things That Can Raise Your Blood Pressure Include:

• Eating too much salt
• Drinking too much alcohol
• Not eating enough potassium
• Not exercising
• Taking certain medications
• Stress that is long-lasting

Healthy Habits That Can Reduce Your Risk for Developing High Blood Pressure:

• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Be physically active (such as walking 30 minutes a day).
• Eat healthy foods that include fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy foods.
• Choose and prepare foods with less salt and sodium.
• Drink alcohol in moderation if you drink.

To find out if you have high blood pressure, have your blood pressure checked regularly by your health care provider.

If you have high blood pressure, it is important to take steps to lower it. The treatment goal is to get your blood pressure below 140/90—even lower if you have another health condition, such as diabetes or kidney disease. Adopting the healthy lifestyle habits listed above is the first step in both preventing and controlling high blood pressure. If lifestyle changes alone are not effective in controlling your pressure, you may also need to take a medication.

Source: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, www.nhlbi.nih.gov.