High blood pressure (hypertension) is known as the “invisible killer.” The patients usually do not have obvious symptoms, so they tend to ignore it and may not even be aware that they have hypertension. However, long-term uncontrolled blood pressure may lead to serious complications such as heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure. So what readings are considered high blood pressure? How do you measure it correctly? What are the warning signs and symptoms? How should patients treat and lower their blood pressure? This article will guide you through these questions with illustrations.
What Is Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure refers to the pressure exerted by the blood on the walls of the arteries when the heart pumps out or receives blood.Blood pressure consists of two values: systolic pressure and diastolic pressure. Systolic pressure refers to the pressure generated when the heart contracts, while diastolic pressure refers to the pressure exerted on the arteries when the heart relaxes and receives blood.
