High blood pressure

What is high blood pressure?

Normal pressure in the main blood vessels arising from the heart is below 120/80 mm Hg. The higher value occurs when the heart contracts and pumps blood and is known as systolic blood pressure. The lower value occurs when the heart relaxes. When the blood pressure is above 140/90 mm Hg, it is usually called high blood pressure (hypertension). Blood pressure varies with age – it is low in a new born baby and rises as the age increases. The values mentioned above are for adults above the age of 18 years. In younger individuals, we have to check with normal blood pressure chart for each age as it is difficult to memorize the values for each age.