Blood pressure is the force exerted by blood against the walls of the arteries. Systolic pressure occurs when the heart contracts; diastolic pressure occurs when the heart expands. Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg).
Hypertension is the diagnosis given when readings consistently rise above normal. Hypertension is the most under treated cardiovascular condition in the U.S., affecting roughly 20% of the population - nearly 60 Million people. It can lead to heart disease, strokes and other serious conditions.
The Joint National Committee (JNC) released new guidelines in May 2003. A new category called "prehypertension" has been added. Patients with prehypertension are at increased risk for progression to hypertension. It is thought an additional 45 million Americans have prehypertension.
The following standards for assessing high blood pressure (without regard to age) have been established by the National Institutes of Health JNC7.
| BP Classification | BP Systolic (mmHg) | BP Diastolic (mmHg) |
|---|---|---|
| Normal | <120 | and <80 |
| Prehypertension | 120 - 139 | or 80 - 89 |
| Stage 1 Hypertension | 140 - 159 | or 90 - 99 |
| Stage 2 Hypertension | > 160 | or > 100 |
Source: The Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute - May 2003.
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