Hypertension is the term used to describe high blood pressure. Blood pressure is a measurement of the force against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps blood through your body. The top number is called the systolic blood pressure, and the bottom number is called the diastolic blood pressure. Normal blood pressure is when your blood pressure is lower than 120/80 mmHg most of the time. High blood pressure (hypertension) is when your blood pressure is 140/90 mmHg or above most of the time.

If your blood pressure numbers are 120/80 or higher, but below 140/90, it is called pre-hypertension. Many factors can affect blood pressure, including: how much water and salt you have in your body, the condition of your kidneys, nervous system, or blood vessels and the levels of different body hormones.

You are more likely to be told your blood pressure is too high, as you get older. This is because your blood vessels become stiffer as you age. When that happens, your blood pressure goes up. High blood pressure increases your chance of having a stroke, heart attack, heart failure, kidney disease, and early death. You have a higher risk of high blood pressure if you: are African American, obese, stressed, drink too much alcohol, eat too much salt, have diabetes, smoke, and have a family history of high blood pressure.