High blood pressure is a common disease that 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. For most adults, a healthy blood pressure is usually less than 120 over 80 millimeters of mercury, which is written as your systolic pressure reading over your diastolic pressure reading—120/80 mm Hg.
You usually don’t have symptoms from high blood pressure until it has caused serious health problems. That is why it is important to have your blood pressure checked regularly. Your doctor will diagnose you with high blood pressure if you have consistently high blood pressure readings.
To control or lower high blood pressure, your doctor 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.
Explore this Health Topic to learn more about high blood pressure, our role in research and clinical trials to improve health, and where to find more information. During High Blood Pressure Education Month in May and throughout the year, the NHLBI features research findings that help advance our understanding of high blood pressure, materials to share in person or on social media, and resources for managing your condition. Find research studies and get resources on high blood pressure.
Risk Factors
Many factors raise your risk of high blood pressure. Some risk factors, such as unhealthy lifestyle habits, can be changed. Other risk factors, such as age, family history and genetics, race and ethnicity, and sex, cannot be changed. A healthy lifestyle can lower your risk for developing high blood pressure.
Age
Blood pressure tends to increase with age. Our blood vessels naturally thicken and stiffen over time. These changes increase the risk for high blood pressure.
However, the risk of high blood pressure is increasing for children and teens, possibly because of rise in the number of children and teens who are living with overweight or obesity.
Family history and genetics
High blood pressure often runs in families. Much of the understanding of the body systems involved in high blood pressure has come from genetic studies. Many different are linked to a small increase in the risk of developing high blood pressure. Research suggests that certain DNA changes as an unborn baby grows in the womb may also lead to high blood pressure later in life.
Some people have a high sensitivity to salt in their diet. This can also run in families.
Lifestyle habits
Lifestyle habits can increase the risk of high blood pressure. These habits include:
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Eating unhealthy foods often, especially those with too much sodium and not enough potassium. Some people, including African Americans, older adults, and people who have chronic kidney disease, diabetes, or syndrome, are more sensitive to salt in their diet.
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Drinking too much alcohol or caffeine.
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Not getting enough physical activity.
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Smoking or using illegal drugs such as cocaine, “bath salts,” and methamphetamine.
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Not getting enough good-quality sleep.
Medicines
Some prescription and over-the-counter medicines can make it more difficult for your body to control your blood pressure. Medicines that can raise your blood pressure include antidepressants, decongestants (medicines to relieve a stuffy nose), hormonal birth control pills, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin or ibuprofen.
Other medical conditions
Other medical conditions change the way your body controls fluids, sodium, and in your blood. Other medical causes of high blood pressure include:
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Certain
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Chronic kidney disease
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Metabolic syndrome
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Overweight and obesity
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Sleep apnea
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Thyroid problems
Race or ethnicity
High blood pressure is more common in African American and Hispanic adults than in white or Asian adults. Compared with other racial or ethnic groups, African Americans tend to have higher average blood pressure numbers and get high blood pressure earlier in life. Experiencing discrimination has been tied to high blood pressure. In addition, some high blood pressure medicines may not work as well in African Americans.
During pregnancy, African American women are more likely than white women to develop preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is a pregnancy disorder that causes sudden high blood pressure and problems with the kidneys and liver.
Sex
Men are more likely than women to develop high blood pressure throughout middle age. But in older adults, women are more likely than men to develop high blood pressure.
Women who have high blood pressure during pregnancy are more likely to have high blood pressure later in life.
Social and economic factors
Recent research has shown that factors such as income, your education, where you live, and the type of job you have may contribute to your risk of developing high blood pressure. For example, working early or late shifts can raise your risk.
Experiencing danger or harm as a child has also been tied to a higher risk of developing high blood pressure.
Screening and Prevention
Everyone age 3 or older should have their blood pressure checked by a healthcare provider at least once a year. Your doctor will use a blood pressure test to see whether you have consistently high blood pressure readings. Your doctor will talk to you about heart-healthy lifestyle changes to help prevent or manage your blood pressure.
How to prepare for a blood pressure test
Your doctor will use a blood pressure test to see if you have higher-than-normal blood pressure readings. The reading is made up of two numbers, with the number above the number. These numbers are measures of pressure in mm Hg.
A blood pressure test is easy and painless and can be done in a doctor’s office or clinic. A healthcare provider will use a gauge, stethoscope, or electronic sensor and a blood pressure cuff to measure your blood pressure. To prepare, take the following steps:
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Do not exercise, drink coffee, or smoke cigarettes for 30 minutes before the test.
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Go to the bathroom before the test.
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For at least 5 minutes before the test, sit in a chair and relax.
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Make sure your feet are flat on the floor.
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Do not talk while you are relaxing or during the test.
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Uncover your arm for the cuff.
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Rest your arm on a table so it is supported and at the level of your heart.
If it is the first time your provider has measured your blood pressure, you may have readings taken on both arms.
What the numbers mean
For most adults, healthy blood pressure is usually less than 120/80 mm Hg. Your blood pressure is considered high when you have consistent systolic readings of 140 mm Hg or higher or diastolic readings of 90 mm Hg or higher. Based on research, your doctor may also determine that you have high blood pressure if you are an adult or child age 13 or older who consistently has systolic readings of 130 to 139 mm Hg or diastolic readings of 80 to 89 mm Hg and you have other risk factors for heart or blood vessel disease.
For children younger than 13, blood pressure readings are compared with readings common for children of the same, age, sex, and height. Read more about blood pressure readings for children.
Talk to your doctor if your blood pressure readings are consistently higher than 120/80 mm Hg. Note that readings above 180/120 mm Hg are dangerously high and require immediate medical attention.
How to prevent high blood pressure
A heart-healthy lifestyle can help prevent high blood pressure from developing. To live a healthy lifestyle:
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Choose heart-healthy foods that are lower in sodium (salt) and are rich in potassium. Fruits and vegetables are high in potassium. For more ways to limit your sodium, visit the DASH eating plan page or print our Tips to Reduce Salt and Sodium handout.
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Avoid or limit alcohol
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Get regular physical activity. Even modest amounts can make a difference.
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Aim for a healthy weight
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Quit smoking
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Manage stress
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Get enough good-quality sleep
