Blood pressure is the pressure of your blood on the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps the blood around the body.
Blood pressure readings have two numbers, for example 140/90 mmHg.
The first number is the systolic blood pressure that is the highest pressure when the heart beats and pushes the blood around your body.
The second number is the diastolic blood pressure that is the lowest pressure when the heart relaxes between beats.
The optimal healthy blood pressure readings are in the range of 90/60 mmHg to 120/80 mmHg.
Readings over 120/80 mmHg and up to 139/89 mmHg are in the normal to high normal range.
Readings over 140/90 mmHg are in the high blood pressure or hypertension.
High blood pressure usually does not give warning signs.
If your blood pressure remains high, it can lead to serious heart problems.
