High blood pressure (hypertension): Controlling this common health problem-High blood pressure (hypertension) - Symptoms & causes - Mayo Clinic
Overview4:15What is hypertension? A Mayo Clinic expert explains.Learn more about hypertension from nephrologist Leslie Thomas, M.D.High blood pressure is a common condition that affects the body's arteries. It's also called hypertension. If you have high blood pressure, the force of the blood pushing against the artery walls is consistently too high. The heart has to work harder to pump blood.Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). In general, hypertension is a blood pressure reading of 130/80mm Hgor higher.The American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association divide blood pressure into four general categories. Ideal blood pressure is categorized as normal.)Normal blood pressure.Blood pressure is 120/80mm Hgor lower.Elevated blood pressure.The top number ranges from 120 to 129mm Hgand the bottom number is below, not above, 80mm Hg.Stage 1 hypertension.The top number ranges from 130 to 139mm Hgor the bottom number is between 80 and 89mm Hg.Stage 2 h...