The Basics

Written by the doctors and editors at UpToDate

What is high blood pressure?

This is a condition that puts you at risk for heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease. It does not usually cause symptoms. But it can be serious.

When your doctor or nurse tells you your blood pressure, they say 2 numbers. For instance, your doctor or nurse might say your blood pressure is "130 over 80." The top number is the pressure inside your arteries when your heart is contracting. The bottom number is the pressure inside your arteries when your heart is relaxed.

"Elevated blood pressure" is a term doctors or nurses use as a warning. People with elevated blood pressure do not yet have high blood pressure. But their blood pressure is not as low as it should be for good health.

Many experts define high, elevated, and normal blood pressure as:

● High – Top number 130 or above and/or bottom number 80 or above.

● Elevated – Top number between 120 and 129 and bottom number 79 or below.

● Normal – Top number 119 or below and bottom number 79 or below.

This information is also in the table (table 1).

Why is it important to lower my blood pressure?

Lowering your blood pressure reduces your risk of problems such as:

● Heart disease, including heart failure and heart attack

● Stroke

● Kidney disease, including kidney failure

● Dementia

Your doctor or nurse will tell you what your goal blood pressure should be. Getting to your goal will lower the risk of these problems.

How is high blood pressure treated?

Treatment often includes medicines to lower blood pressure. If your doctor or nurse prescribed blood pressure medicine, it's very important to take it as instructed. If your medicine causes side effects, do not just stop taking it. Instead, talk to your doctor or nurse about the side effects. They might be able to lower your dose or switch you to another medicine.

If cost is a problem, talk to your doctor or nurse. They might be able to put you on a less expensive medicine. Taking your blood pressure medicine can keep you from having a heart attack or stroke, and it can save your life.

What can I do on my own to lower my blood pressure?

You have a lot of control over your blood pressure. There are things you can do to lower it. These things also improve your overall health:

● Try to lose weight (if you have excess body weight). You doctor or nurse can help you do this safely.

● Eat a diet that is low in fat and rich in fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products.

● Eat less salt. This means eating less processed foods (those sold in cans, boxes, jars, and bags) and eating at restaurants less often. It can help a little to avoid adding salt at the table or when cooking.

● Do something active for at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week. Even gentle activities, like walking, are good for your health.

● Limit alcohol to fewer than 2 alcoholic drinks per day.

It's also a good idea to get a home blood pressure monitor. People who check their own blood pressure at home are better at managing it. Sometimes, they can even reduce the amount of medicine they need to take.

It might also help to get plenty of sleep every night. People who regularly do not get enough sleep are more likely to develop high blood pressure.

All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete.

This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Apr 24, 2026.

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