And many who have high blood pressure don't know it. Worse yet, nine out of ten people who know their blood pressures are unhealthfully high are doing nothing to try to control it. And for 95 percent of those affected, there is no known cause.

The amazing part is, blood pressure is one of the easiest health problems to control.

Have your blood pressure checked more than once on several occasions. If your blood pressure is generally pretty good and suddenly registers high, don't be alarmed. Anxiety and other strong emotions, physical exertion, drinking a large amount of coffee, or digesting a recently consumed meal can temporarily elevate normal blood pressure with no lasting effects. If, after several readings, your doctor is convinced you do indeed have high blood pressure, follow his or her advice. Here's a multipoint plan to control high blood pressure.

If you're overweight, lose weight
Don't smoke.
Limit alcohol to two drinks or less a day.
Eat a low-salt diet and use salt substitutes if your physician says it's okay.
Get regular exercise at least three times a week.
Learn to handle stress by practicing relaxation techniques and rethinking stressful situations.
(See chapter 6, Success over Stress, for more details.)
Take any prescribed blood pressure medicine as directed. Don't skip your pills because you
feel fine.
If you're a woman, talk to your doctor about oral contraceptives and blood pressure. Many
other birth control methods are available.
Avoid over-the-counter cold remedies containing the ingredient phenylpropanolamine. It can
raise blood pressure. Talk to your physician or pharmacist.

How's Your Blood Pressure?

Blood pressure is normally measured with a blood pressure cuff placed on the arm. The numbers on the gauge measure your blood pressure in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). The first (higher) number measures the systolic pressure. This is the maximum pressure exerted against the arterial walls while the heart is beating. The second (lower) number records the diastolic pressure, the pressure between heartbeats, when the heart is resting. The results are then recorded as systolic/diastolic pressure (120/80, for example). The term hypertension means high blood pressure.

The accompanying table gives the normal and abnormal ranges for both systolic and diastolic blood pressures for adults age 18 or older. To accurately determine your blood pressure, an average of two or more readings should be taken on two or more separate occasions. The risk of stroke, heart attack, and kidney disease increases when blood pressure is in the mild to severe range. So have your blood pressure checked at least once a year, and follow your physician's advice if it is abnormal.

Blood Pressure in Adults

SOURCE: Adapted from the Report of the joint National Committee on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (Washington, D.C.: Department of Health and Human Services,1988).
*Diastolic blood pressure of 90 or above is more critical than the systolic blood pressure when diagnosing hypertension.