It's normal for blood pressure to go up and down throughout the day. But if it stays up, you have high blood pressure. High blood pressure increases the risk of stroke, heart attack, and other problems. You and your doctor will talk about your risks of these problems based on your blood pressure. Your doctor will give you a goal for your blood pressure. Your goal will be based on your health and your age. High blood pressure is also called hypertension. It can be managed with lifestyle changes and medicines. To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise.org. © 1995-2019 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. Donations to UW Health are managed by the University of Wisconsin Foundation, a publicly supported charitable organization under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.