Question: What is hypertension?

Answer: Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is typically defined as a consistent reading above 130/80. The top number, systolic blood pressure, measures the pressure when your heart pumps blood out. The bottom number, diastolic blood pressure, measures the pressure when your heart relaxes and fills with blood. A healthy blood pressure is usually between 90–130 systolic and 60–80 diastolic.

Question: Why is hypertension important to treat?

Answer: Untreated hypertension can cause serious health issues, including stroke, heart disease, kidney disease, memory loss, and even brain bleeds. For those who already have one or more of these conditions, proper treatment can prevent further complications or worsening of the disease.

Question: What symptoms can I

See Full Page