The more blood your heart pumps and the narrower your arteries, the higher your blood pressure. A blood pressure reading consists of two numbers:

• The top number indicates systolic pressure. This is the amount of pressure your heart generates when pumping blood out through your arteries.
• The bottom number indicates diastolic pressure.This is the amount of pressure in your arteries when your heart is at rest between beats.

Normal blood pressure is less than 120/80 as an adult. High blood pressure is 140/90 or higher. If you have diabetes or kidney disease, the “normal” number is around 130/80.

High blood pressure puts more pressure on your heart and forces it to work harder. People with high blood pressure are more likely to have a stroke, develop congestive heart failure, and develop coronary heart disease (which can lead to a heart attack).

High blood pressure may also cause blindness.

The best way to determine if you have high blood pressure is to get it checked at your doctors’ office, hospital clinic, nurse’s office, or any other reputable place such as a pharmacy.

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