The Importance of Checking Your Blood Pressure

Are You at Risk?

April 23, 2025

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• In 2022, high blood pressure was a primary or contributing cause of 685,875 deaths in the United States.
• Nearly half of adults have high blood pressure (48.1%, 119.9 million). This is defined as a systolic blood pressure greater than 130 mm Hg or a diastolic blood pressure greater than 80 mm Hg or are taking medication for high blood pressure.
• About half of adults (45%) with uncontrolled high blood pressure have a blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg or higher. This includes 37 million U.S. adults.
• High blood pressure costs the United States about $131 billion each year, averaged over 12 years from 2003 to 2014.
• About 1 in 4 adults with high blood pressure has their blood pressure under control (22.5%, 27.0 million).

Read more here: How Common is Hypertension in the U.S. and Who is Affected

What is blood pressure?

What is Considered Normal Blood Pressure?

Normal blood pressure is less than 120/80 mm 

High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is blood pressure that is higher than normal.

High blood pressure is consistently at or above 130/80 mm

Your blood pressure changes throughout the day based on your activities. Having blood pressure consistently above normal may result in a diagnosis of high blood pressure.

The higher your blood pressure levels, the more risk you have for other health problems, such as heart disease, heart attack, stroke.

Signs and symptoms

High blood pressure usually has no warning signs or symptoms, and many people do not know they have it. Measuring your blood pressure is the only way to know whether you have high blood pressure.

• Local Blood Pressure Locations

Potential problems having high blood pressure could cause:

Important organs such as brain, heart, eyes, and kidneys could be damaged if high blood pressure goes undiagnosed.

There are many ways that you can manage your blood pressure to prevent or decrease your risks of serious health problems.

If a health care professional diagnoses you with high blood pressure, talk with your health care team about your blood pressure levels and how they affect your treatment plan.

Causes

High blood pressure usually develops over time. It can occur because of unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as not getting enough regular physical activity.

There are several causes of and risk factors for high blood pressure. Fortunately, you can control many of them.

Prevention

No matter your age, you can take steps each day to keep your blood pressure in a healthy range.

Many people with high blood pressure can lower their blood pressure into a healthy range or keep their numbers in a healthy range by making lifestyle changes. Talk with your health care team about:

• Physical activity each week (about 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week)
• Not smoking
• Eating a healthy diet, including limiting sodium (salt) and alcohol
• Keeping a healthy weight
• Managing stress

In addition to making positive lifestyle changes, some people with high blood pressure need to take medicine to manage their blood pressure.

• Managing High Blood Pressure

Health Coaching for Hypertension Control

• South Heartland District Health Department provides coaching for hypertension control in English and Spanish.  Contact us today to find out more.  402-303-6938 ask for Kylene.

Don’t be a statistic- learn your numbers and talk to your health care professional today.