Blood pressure is the amount of force on the arterial walls. One in three Americans suffer from high blood pressure, according to the American Heart Association. Lifestyle issues, dietary changes and medications may decrease high blood pressure to healthy levels.
Identification
Blood pressure is written as a ratio with one number over another. The top number, or systolic pressure, is the pressure as the heart beats. The lower number, or diastolic pressure, is the amount of pressure when the heart is at rest.
Normal Blood Pressure
A reading of 120 mmHg or less systolic and 80 mmHg or less diastolic is referred to as a normal blood pressure reading, according to the American Heart Association. A blood pressure reading should be performed twice while sitting to determine an accurate reading. A person with a reading of 120/80 mmHG should continue to maintain or adapt a healthy lifestyle, suggests MayoClinic.com.
Considerations
Prehypertension exists when a blood pressure reading is between 120 to 139 systolic and 80 to 89 diastolic, measured in mmHg. Stage 1 hypertension exists when readings fall between 140 to 159 systolic and 90 to 99 diastolic, measured in mmHG. If blood pressure does not fall within six months after lifestyle and dietary changes are introduced, a person may consider blood pressure medication.
Stage 2 hypertension involves readings higher than 160 mmHg systolic and 100 mmHg diastolic. A person should consider taking more than one blood pressure medication to control this level of hypertension, suggests MayoClinic.com. People who also suffer from diabetes and heart disease should treat high blood pressure more aggressively.
