Blood pressure readings are measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and usually given as 2 numbers. For example, 140 over 90 (written as 140/90).
The top number is your systolic pressure, the pressure created when your heart beats. It is considered high if it is consistently over 140.
The bottom number is your diastolic pressure, the pressure inside blood vessels when the heart is at rest. It is considered high if it is consistently over 90.
Either or both of these numbers may be too high.
Pre-hypertension is when your systolic blood pressure is between 120 and 139 or your diastolic blood pressure is between 80 and 89 on multiple readings. If you have pre-hypertension, you are more likely to develop high blood pressure at some point.
See also: Blood pressure
Alternative Names
High blood pressure; HBP; Blood pressure - high
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Blood pressure measurements are the result of the force of the blood produced by the heart and the size and condition of the arteries.
Many factors can affect blood pressure, including how much water and salt you have in your body, the condition of your kidneys, nervous system, or blood vessels, and the levels of different body hormones.
High blood pressure can affect all types of people. You have a higher risk of high blood pressure if you have a family history of the disease. High blood pressure is more common in African Americans than Caucasians.
Preeclampsia (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Preeclampsia is high blood pressure and protein in the urine that develops after the 20th week of pregnancy. Reviewer: Melanie N. Smith, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 08/17/2007
Drug-induced hypertension (2 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Hypertension (high blood pressure) can be caused by using a chemical substance, drug, or medication. It can also be caused by stopping a drug or medication. See also high blood pressure. Reviewer: Glenn Gandelman, MD, MPH, Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 02/14/2007
Essential hypertension (4 images)
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(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Essential hypertension refers to high blood pressure with no identifiable cause. Reviewer: Larry A. Weinrauch, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, and Private practice specializing in Cardiovascular Disease,Watertown, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 06/04/2007
Malignant hypertension (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Malignant hypertension is usually defined as very high blood pressure with swelling of the optic nerve behind the eye. The swelling of the optic nerve behind the eye is called papilledema. Reviewer: Charles Silberberg, DO, Private Practice specializing in Nephrology, Affiliated with New York Medical College, Division of Nephrology, Valhalla, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 08/14/2007
Renovascular hypertension (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Renovascular hypertension is high blood pressure due to narrowing of the arteries that carry blood to the kidneys. It is a form of secondary hypertension. See also: Drug-induced hypertension; Essential hypertension; Malignant hypertension. Reviewer: Robert Mushnick, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Nephrology, SUNY Downstate Health Center, Brooklyn, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 05/15/2007
Diet and disease (5 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
There are nutritional and dietary elements that have proven relationships to certain diseases or conditions. For additional information on FDA-approved health claims, refer to nutrition labeling. Reviewer: Cynthia Dennison Haines, MD, family physician specializing in nutrition, fitness, and preventive health, St. John's Mercy Medical Center, St. Louis, MO, and Assistant Clinical Professor, St. Louis University's School of Medicine, Department of Community and Family Medicine.Date: 08/08/2007
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