Blog Post

#003

What is Hypertension?

Hypertension, commonly referred to as high blood pressure, occurs when the blood is pushing against the arteries. Over time, this will damage the arteries, making the heart work harder to pump blood and increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases

How do you know if you have hypertension?

  • During a check-up at the doctor, they commonly use a sphygmomanometer, a medical device with a strap, to measure your blood pressure. Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg).

  • Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP): The top number on the device, the pressure on your artery walls when the heart contracts (pumps blood throughout the body)

  • Diastolic Blood Pressure: The bottom number on the device, the pressure between the beats when the heart relaxes.

That’s why the device applies pressure to your arm in the beginning to measure the SBP and releases it to measure the DBP!

  • In the U.S.,  high blood pressure exists when

    • SBP is 130 mmHg or higher

    • DBP is 80 mmHg or higher

Normal blood pressure is around an SBP of 120 mmHg and DBP of 80mmHg.

Two Main Types of Hypertension:

  • Primary hypertension - No identifiable cause, mostly likely developed through genetics, family history, or age

  • Secondary hypertension - Identifiable cause (likely a medical condition), higher blood pressure than individuals with primary hypertensions.

Symptoms of Hypertension:

  • Chest Pain

  • Heart Palpations 

  • Severe headache

  • Fatigue

If one’s blood pressure is over 180/120 mmHg, they are in a hypertensive crisis, which causes internal damage to the heart, brain, and kidneys. At this stage, there is a significant increased risk of stroke, heart attack, and heart failure.

Hypertension (HTN)

Hypertension (HTN)

Sources and Citation:

Cleveland Clinic. “High Blood Pressure (Hypertension).” Cleveland Clinic, 1 May 2023, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4314-hypertension-high-blood-pressure.

Mayo Clinic. “High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) .” Mayo Clinic, 2024, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/symptoms-causes/syc-20373410.

Cleveland Clinic. “What Is Hypertensive Crisis?” Cleveland Clinic, 22 Nov. 2022, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24470-hypertensive-crisis.

Published May 31, 2025