What is high blood pressure?

High blood pressure is also known as hypertension. Hypertension is caused by two main factors:

• The heart pumps with too much force
• Blood vessels narrow, causing more pressure against the walls of veins

In adults, the systolic pressure (top number) should be less than 120 and the diastolic pressure (bottom number) should be less than 80.

There are different types of blood pressure issues, including:

Pre-high blood pressure:
Top number is consistently 120 to 139 or the bottom number reads 80 to 89

Stage 1 high blood pressure:
Top number is consistently 140 to 159 or the bottom number reads 90 to 99

Stage 2 high blood pressure:
Top number is consistently 160 or over or the bottom number reads 100 or over

Low blood pressure (hypotension):
Top number reading lower than 90 or pressure 25 mmHg lower than usual

This blog will have daily advice on how to control your blood pressure naturally, and will report on different medications, their known side effects, and possibilities to help you stay healthy.