Over time, high blood pressure, or hypertension, can damage the blood vessels, allowing cholesterol and other substances to build up. High blood pressure also increases the workload of the heart, which can affect the heart’s pumping ability and may lead to a heart attack. Untreated high blood pressure increases the risk of coronary artery disease and other heart problems, and is the most serious risk factor for stroke.
Talk with your doctors and make sure your blood pressure is at the recommended level. Guidelines suggest:
- Healthy blood pressure < (less than) 120/80 mm Hg
- Prehypertension is 120/80 mm Hg to 139/89 mm Hg
- Hypertension > (greater than) 140/90 mm Hg