What is high blood pressure?

High blood pressure is also known as hypertension. It happens when the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your blood vessels is too high. Untreated high blood pressure can lead to other serious problems such as heart attack and stroke. High blood pressure can affect all age groups: children, young adults, adults and older adults.

A blood pressure measurement is recorded as two numbers: systolic and diastolic. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) indicates the pressure when the heart contracts, and therefore the pressure is always higher. The diastolic blood pressure (DBP) indicates pressure when the heart is resting between beats.

A blood pressure measurement is expressed as one figure “over” another, for example, 140/90 mm Hg (SBP/DBP). High blood pressure is diagnosed when EITHER OR BOTH of these values are persistently raised on more than one occasion, when measured correctly.