High blood pressure, hypertension, is defined as a blood pressure greater than or equal to 140 mm Hg (mercury) systolic pressure or greater than or equal to 90 mm Hg diastolic pressure. Blood pressure is the force in the arteries when the heart beats (systolic pressure) and when the heart is at rest (diastolic pressure).

According to recent studies, nearly one in three U.S. adults has high blood pressure. The number may be as high as 65 million people. It is called the silent killer because there are no symptoms. One-third of these people may not know they have it. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to stroke, heart attack, heart failure (for signs of heart attack, click here) or kidney failure. Some studies indicate that people with systolic blood pressure of 140 or higher in middle age are more likely to develop dementia as they grow older. The only way to tell if you have high blood pressure is to have your blood pressure checked.

Your blood pressure is considered normal if it is lower than 120/80. From 120/80 to 139/89 is considered prehypertension. Systolic blood pressure of 140 or higher or diastolic pressure of 90 or higher is considered high. Steps should be taken immediately to deal with this reading. If your blood pressure is 140/90 or higher, you’re at high risk for stroke, heart attack and other complications from high blood pressure.

The cause for most cases of high blood pressure is unknown. It can creep up on you. Hypertension is most common in adults over the age of 35 and in African Americans. Their rate of high blood pressure is among the highest in the world. Doctors do know that some people are sensitive to salt. There is a direct correlation in these people between amounts of salt eaten and blood pressure levels. Salt holds excess fluid in your body which puts an added burden on your heart. As little as one extra gram of salt (=to half a teaspoon) could raise blood pressure as much as five millimeters.

These steps include eating a low-salt, low-saturated-fat diet, getting 30–60 minutes of physical activity at least five days a week and limiting your alcohol intake. Your alcohol intake to no more than one drink a day for women or two drinks per day for men. If these lifestyle changes don’t get your blood pressure down to a normal level, your doctor may prescribe a medication to lower your blood pressure. There are also alternative health ways to reduce high blood pressure. Homeopathy, acupuncture and herbal therapy have all been proven effective. Physical activity can be very effective for reducing blood pressure in overweight people. Blood pressure can fall significantly after only 12 weeks of either a 1,200-calorie diet or an hour a day of aerobic exercise. Recent studies show that aerobic physical activity by itself is more effective than diet alone for reducing weight and blood pressure.

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