(Also Called 'Blood Pressure - High', 'BP (High Blood
Pressure)', 'High Blood Pressure') What is high blood pressure?
Blood pressure is the measurement of the pressure or force of
blood pushing against blood vessel walls. The heart pumps blood
into the arteries (blood vessels), which carry the blood
throughout the body. High blood pressure, also called
hypertension, means the pressure in your arteries is above the
normal range. In most cases, no one knows what causes high blood
pressure. How is blood pressure recorded? Blood pressure is
written as two numbers, such as 118/72. The first number is the
systolic pressure. This is the pressure in the arteries when the
heart beats and fills them with blood. The second number is the
diastolic pressure. This is the pressure in the arteries when
the heart rests between beats. What is a normal blood pressure
reading? |Type of blood pressure reading ||Normal blood pressure
||Stage 1 hypertension ||Stage 2 hypertension ||less than 120
mmHg ||160 mmHg and above ||less tha