High Blood Pressure - Highlights

Highlights

Blood Pressure Measurements

Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). The higher number indicates systolic blood pressure. The lower number is diastolic blood pressure.

• Normal blood pressure readings are below 120/80 mm Hg.
• High blood pressure (hypertension) is generally considered to be a blood pressure reading greater than or equal to 140 mm Hg (systolic) or greater than or equal to 90 mm Hg (diastolic).
• Blood pressure readings in the prehypertension category (120 -139 systolic or 80 - 89 diastolic) indicate an increased risk for developing hypertension.
• A blood pressure reading of 139/89 mm Hg or below should be the minimum goal for everyone. People with heart disease, peripheral artery disease, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease should strive for 130/80 or less.

---

---

Blood Pressure Screening Guidelines

• Current guidelines from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommend that all adults age 18 years and older have their blood pressure measured.
• People with high blood pressure should be screened for diabetes. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that all patients with blood readings of 135/80 mm Hg or higher be screened for type 2 diabetes. (The American Diabetes Association recommends screening for patients with blood pressure greater than 140/90.)

Home Blood Pressure Monitoring

Patients with high blood pressure may benefit from monitoring their blood pressure at home on a regular basis. Home monitoring can help show if blood pressure medications are working.

Lifestyle Changes and High Blood Pressure

Lifestyle changes are important for preventing and treating high blood pressure. Healthy changes include maintaining a normal weight, exercising regularly, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol consumption to no more than one or two drinks a day, reducing salt intake, and increasing potassium intake. The DASH diet is a diet plan proven to help improve blood pressure.

Drug Approval

In 2010, the FDA approved the first generic versions of two drugs used for treatment of high blood pressure. Losartan (Cozaar) and the combination pill losartan and hydrochlorothiazide (Hyzaar) are now available as generics.

Review Date: 04/06/2010
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).