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September 29, 2026, is <\/em><\/em>World Heart Day<\/em><\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n High blood pressure<\/a>, or hypertension, is a common health condition affecting nearly half of U.S. women. But how much do you really know about it? <\/p>\n Many people may not understand the risk factors, how high blood pressure affects the body or the role lifestyle changes play in managing the condition.<\/p>\n Here are 10 facts about high blood pressure<\/a> that you may not know.<\/p>\n 1. High blood pressure often has no symptoms<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/h3>\n Hypertension occurs when the force of blood against your artery walls is consistently too high.<\/p>\n If blood pressure becomes dangerously high, some people may experience symptoms<\/a> such as:<\/p>\n But most people won\u2019t experience any symptoms, which can make the condition difficult to identify without a blood pressure monitor.<\/p>\n \u201cHypertension is called a silent killer because there are usually few symptoms, and the disease causes grave damage in the background,\u201d said Meena Verma, M.D., M.P.H.<\/a>, a board-certified nephrologist and longevity physician.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n 2. Your blood pressure reading has two numbers<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/h3>\n A blood pressure reading<\/a> has a top number and a bottom number that measure the pressure in your arteries.<\/p>\n Blood pressure readings fall into four categories: normal, elevated, stage 1 hypertension or stage 2 hypertension, depending on the specific numbers. If your top and bottom numbers fall into two different categories, your correct blood pressure category is the higher category.<\/p>\n According to the American Heart Association, blood pressure categories are:<\/p>\n Normal: Less than 120 systolic (top number) and \/80 mm Hg diastolic (bottom number)<\/p>\n Elevated: 120\u2013129 systolic and less than 80 mm Hg diastolic<\/p>\n Stage 1 hypertension: 130\u2013139 systolic or 80\u201389 diastolic <\/p>\n Stage 2 hypertension: 140 mm Hg or higher systolic or 90 mm Hg or higher diastolic<\/p>\n Note: Any blood pressure reading above 180 mm Hg systolic or 120 mm Hg diastolic without symptoms is severe hypertension and requires contacting your clinician. With symptoms, these numbers are a medical emergency and require a call to 911. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n 3. Some risk factors for high blood pressure are out of your control<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/h3>\n Eating a heart-healthy diet<\/a> and getting regular exercise may help lower your risk of high blood pressure. But some risk factors are outside your control.<\/p>\n Risk factors you can’t change<\/a> include age, family history, co-existing diseases such as diabetes<\/a> or kidney disease, and certain pregnancy-related conditions. Race and ethnicity are also linked to differences in hypertension risk and outcomes. However, a range of social, environmental and healthcare factors shape those differences.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n 4. Other risk factors for high blood pressure can be changed<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/h3>\n Certain lifestyle habits can increase the risk of having high blood pressure. However, making lifestyle changes doesn\u2019t guarantee normal blood pressure.<\/p>\n Some ways to potentially prevent high blood pressure<\/a> include:<\/p>\n \u201cA person can do everything right \u2014 exercise, diet and lifestyle \u2014 and still have high blood pressure,\u201d Verma said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n 5. Not everyone has the same risk or access to care<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/h3>\n Societal factors can shape your risk of developing high blood pressure and your ability to manage it.<\/p>\n Black adults face the highest prevalence of high blood pressure<\/a> in the United States and have lower blood pressure control rates<\/a>.<\/p>\n These differences can be influenced by factors such as:<\/p>\n These factors can affect access to preventive care and treatment for high blood pressure.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n 6. Hypertension can damage your arteries<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/h3>\n Over time, high blood pressure can damage the artery walls<\/a>, potentially contributing to narrowed arteries or an aneurysm.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n 7. Your heart has to work harder, too<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/h3>\n High blood pressure makes the heart work harder to pump blood and oxygen<\/a> to the rest of the body. This can cause the lower left heart chamber, called the left ventricle, to thicken and enlarge. This is known as left ventricular hypertrophy.<\/p>\n \u201cUntreated hypertension can lead to very serious outcomes, including heart attacks<\/a>, strokes and kidney failure to name a few,\u201d Verma said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n 8. A single high reading doesn\u2019t mean you have hypertension<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/h3>\n Blood pressure readings can fluctuate, and one elevated reading doesn\u2019t necessarily mean that you have high blood pressure.<\/p>\n A diagnosis typically requires an average of two or more readings equal to or greater than 120\/80 mm Hg taken on separate occasions.<\/p>\n Pay attention to elevated blood pressure readings, even if they haven\u2019t reached the hypertension range. Home blood pressure monitoring can help confirm a diagnosis or track treatment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n 9. Medication is sometimes part of the plan<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/h3>\n Clinicians typically recommend lifestyle changes to lower blood pressure. But in some cases, prescription medication may also be needed to control and manage hypertension.<\/p>\n Common treatments for hypertension<\/a> include:<\/p>\n Other medications may be prescribed depending on a person\u2019s blood pressure, other health conditions and how they respond to treatment. Your clinician will determine what treatments are right for you.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n 10. Small changes and regular monitoring can make a difference<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/h3>\n Making small but meaningful changes to your daily routine can help lower and control high blood pressure. Here are some things you can try:<\/p>\n \u201cIt’s important for everyone to have regular blood pressure checks with a trained physician who can intervene \u2014 even in pre-hypertensive stages before end-organ damage has evolved,\u201d Verma said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Managing your blood pressure is essential for protecting yourself from cardiovascular disease<\/a>. Whether you\u2019ve already been diagnosed with hypertension, have had an elevated reading or just want to get on top of your heart health, there are several lifestyle changes you can make today to keep your numbers down.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n This educational resource was created with support fro<\/em><\/em>m <\/em><\/em>Merck<\/em><\/em>.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n
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