Hypertension: The Silent Killer

Are there symptoms of hypertension?
There are no defined symptoms of high blood pressure, which is why it’s known as “the silent killer.” More often than not, those who have it don’t know it until they experience a life-threatening illness. The only way to know your blood pressure is to have it checked every 2 years. (There are some indicators, such as severe headaches, vision problems, chest pains, irregular heartbeats, and fatigue.)

What should my blood pressure be? It can vary depending on exercise, time of day and mood. Here are the standard guidelines:

Normal: Less than 120/80
Pre-hypertension: 120-129/80
Stage 1 hypertension: 130-139/80-89
Stage 2 hypertension: 140 and above/90 and above

The top (or first) number is systolic blood pressure—pressure in the arteries as your heart pumps blood forward. The bottom (or second) number, the diastolic blood pressure, represents the pressure in the arteries as your heart relaxes.