Blood Preasure Basics

Background On The Numbers We Hear Frequently

It's known as the "silent killer". High blood pressure plays a role in approximately 700,000 deaths each year. Yet, this secretive illness offers no warning signs. Actually, you can be feeling great, while it acts behind the scenes to damage the heart, arteries, kidneys or brain.

When blood pressure remains high, it forces the heart to work hard all the time. This can enlarge and weaken the heart. It can also wear out the elasticity of the arteries, as well as scar and narrow them. The heart and arteries are then much more susceptible to injury. In addition, this overworked circulatory system can become less effective at delivering the oxygen and nutrients that are needed by vital organs. This can prevent organs, such as the brain or kidneys, from working properly and also make them more susceptible to injury.

So no matter how good a person feels, they should work with their doctor to establish and maintain a healthy blood pressure.

Americans eat more salt than they really need. Cutting back on this tasty seasoning may lower blood pressure, especially for seniors.

Classifications

Facts & Statistics

For adults 18 years and older, the National High Blood Pressure Education Program places blood pressure readings into 6 levels. Listed below, the levels are for people who are not experiencing a serious, short-term illness and are not taking high blood pressure medication. Note: Any high level reading (or unusually low reading) should always be brought to the attention of your doctor.

Levels	Systolic (mm Hg)	Diastolic (mm Hg)
Optimal	120 or less	80 or less
Normal	130 or less	85 or less
High Normal	130-139	85-89
High – Stage 1	140-159	90-99
High – Stage 2	160-179	100-109
High – Stage 3	180 or more	110 or more

1 of every 5 Americans has high blood pressure. That's 50 million people!
As many as 60% of Americans who are 60 and older may have high blood pressure.
Most of the time (90%+) the exact cause of a person's high blood pressure is a mystery.
The rate of high blood pressure among black Americans is one of the highest rates in the world. In addition, when compared to the white population, they develop a problem at an earlier age and their average readings are much higher.
Prior to age 55, more men than women have high blood pressure. After age 74, women take a decisive lead over men.
People at low income and education levels tend to have higher blood pressure levels.

(Sources: American Heart Assn., Nat. Heart, Lung & Blood Inst.)


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