The heart pumps with enough force to reach oxygen carrying blood to each and every cell of the body – in every nook and corner of our body. The force with which heart pumps blood i.e. the force exerted against the walls of blood vessel carrying pure blood with oxygen (artery) is call Blood Pressure.

 
There are two reading given in a blood pressure reading separated by a </>. The upper reading is called the ‘systolic’ blood pressure. The lower reading is called the diastolic pressure. Ideally, our blood pressure should be about 120/80 without medication (both values have to within range).

Blood Pressure Classification1	Systolic Pressure (mmHg)	Diastolic Pressure (mmHg)
Normal	< 120	< 80
Pre-Hypertension	120-139	80-89
Stage 1 Hypertension	140-159	90-99
Stage 2 Hypertension	≥160	≥ 100

Which of the reading is more important/ dangerous?

For those under age 60 with no other major risk factors for heart disease (smoking, diabetes, abnormal cholesterol levels, obesity etc) the diastolic (lower) pressure reading is believed to be a more important risk factor.

For those with age above 60 with no other major risk factors for heart disease (smoking, diabetes, abnormal cholesterol levels, obesity etc) the systolic (upper) pressure reading is believed to be a more important risk factor.

How common is high blood pressure and why is it considered such a big risk?

According to figures released by World Health Organization in 2012, one in three adults worldwide, has raised blood pressure – a condition that causes around half of all deaths from stroke and heart disease.

About half of those with high blood pressure have not controlled their blood pressure, which increases their risk for a number of more serious health problems, viz. heart attack, stroke, congestive heart failure, blindness due to hypertensive retinopathy and end-stage kidney disease (one requiring either dialysis or kidney transplant).

What causes high blood pressure?

High blood pressure is divided into two basis its causation:

• Primary – where no direct cause can be established. There are several lifestyle behaviours that jointly cause a person to have high blood pressure; this is the reason it is called a lifestyle disease. Near about 95% of cases fall under this category
• Secondary – where a direct cause can be established. These cases are about 5% of total hypertensive population and here managing the cause leads to cure of high blood pressure.

Risk factors of Primary hypertension:

• One of the most significant cause of primary high blood pressure is our body producing too much insulin in response to a high-carbohydrate and processed food diet.
• Raised uric acid levels are also significantly associated with hypertension
• Sedentary life style or couch potato syndrome
• Uncontrolled stress; type A or stress prone personality
• Consuming a diet with excess of salt/ fat/ sugar/fructose

Steps to delay/ prevent high blood pressure:

• Avoid processed food
• Avoid sugar & salt
• Consume more of whole grain cereals/ bread
• Exercise regularly
• Manage stress