High blood pressure may be a common condition, but it should never be taken lightly. Even though nearly half of American adults age 18 and older suffer from prehypertension or hypertension, high blood pressure isn’t diagnosed the same way for everyone (1).
In fact, blood pressure guidelines vary according to the age of the patient, meaning that the 120/80 rule doesn’t apply to everyone.
Why Knowing Your Numbers is Important
High blood pressure occurs when the force of the blood being pumped through your arteries is too strong (2).
Over time, extreme hypertension can cause blood vessels to become inflamed and even leak fluid or blood.
Additionally, the condition strains the heart so much that it can eventually lead to heart attack and heart failure (3).
Other consequences include kidney failure, stroke, and death.
If blood pressure isn’t well monitored, it can lead to a hypertensive crisis
