What is blood pressure? Blood pressure, also called hypertension, is the force of the blood pushing against the walls of the arteries. What is the blood pressure value? The blood pressure value is expressed with two numbers: for example, 120/80. The first number, known as systolic blood pressure, is a measure of the force that blood exerts on the walls of blood vessels as the heart pumps. The second number, known as diastolic blood pressure, is a measure of the force that blood exerts on blood vessel walls when the heart is at rest between beats. What is high blood pressure? High blood pressure means the heart pumps harder to move blood through the body. This can weaken blood vessels and damage major organs, such as the brain. If left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to a stroke. Blood pressure, like a person's heart rate, occasionally varies with exercise or stress. For people over the age of 18, an optimal blood pressure reading is considered to be 120/80 or lower. A blood pressure reading consistently above 120/80 is considered "pre-hypertension." High blood pressure or “stage one hypertension” is a measurement of 140/90 or higher. People who suffer from high blood pressure are one and a half times more likely to have a stroke than those who consistently have an optimal blood pressure of 120/80. Anyone who has had a previous heart attack, stroke, is diabetic, has kidney disease, high cholesterol, or is overweight should talk to a doctor about having their blood pressure checked and aggressively lowered. Maintaining a blood pressure reading below 140/90 can reduce the risk of further complications. Who has high blood pressure? As many as 73 million Americans suffer from high blood pressure. Of 1 in 4 adults with... half of paper... Factors to consider when choosing antihypertensive medications include cost, convenience, side effects, and interaction with other medications. Where can I find more information about high blood pressure? Talk to a doctor about how to control high blood pressure. The key to keeping blood pressure within the normal range is for a person to commit to actively participating in their health care with a doctor. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health can also provide information about hypertension and its treatment. Visit their website at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/.Back to top | Printable version ParticipateYou and your strokeStroke survivorsHealthcare workers and familiesHealthcare workersStay informed» Log inEmail addressZip code