High blood pressure usually has no symptoms. In fact, many people have high blood pressure for years without knowing it. It doesn't refer to being tense, nervous or hyperactive. You can be a calm, relaxed person and still have high blood pressure. The only way to find out if you have high blood pressure is to have it checked! A blood pressure test is quick and painless. You can have it done in a doctor's office, hospital clinic, school, nurse's office, company clinic or at a health fair.

A single reading showing high blood pressure doesn't mean you have high blood pressure, but it's a sign that you need to watch it carefully. If your blood pressure is normal, get it checked at least every two years. If your blood pressure is near the top of the normal range, or if you have a family history of high blood pressure, you're at higher risk. Your doctor will tell you how often to have it checked.

How is blood pressure checked?
Blood pressure is measured using a medical instrument called a sphygmomanometer. A rubber cuff is wrapped around a person's upper arm and inflated. When the cuff is inflated, it compresses a large artery in the arm, momentarily stopping the blood flow.

Next, air in the cuff is released, and the person measuring the blood pressure listens with a stethoscope. When the blood starts to pulse through the artery, it makes a sound; sounds continue to be heard until pressure in the artery exceeds the pressure in the cuff.

While the person listens and watches the gauge, he or she records two measurements. Systolic pressure is the pressure of the blood flow when the heart beats (the pressure when the first sound is heard). Diastolic pressure is the pressure between heartbeats (the pressure when the last sound is heard). Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury, which is abbreviated mm Hg.

Are there larger and smaller blood pressure cuffs for overweight people and children?
Children and adults with smaller or larger than average-sized arms may need special-sized cuffs, available in some pharmacies and from medical supply companies. They may also be ordered directly from companies that sell blood pressure cuffs. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.

If you are an adult and your normal blood pressure level is 140/90 mm Hg or above, you could be at risk for heart disease, stroke and other medical problems. See a doctor and get recommendations on how to manage your blood pressure and how often to have it checked. Remember, high blood pressure has no symptoms, so if you haven't had it checked in a while, make an appointment now. One in four adult Americans has high blood pressure, and nearly one-third of them don't know they have it.

Factors that contribute to high blood pressure
Because medical science doesn’t understand why most cases of high blood pressure occur, it’s hard to say how to prevent it. However, we do know of several factors that may contribute to high blood pressure and put you at risk for heart attack and stroke.

Controllable risk factors
Obesity — People with a body mass index (BMI) of 30.0 or higher are more likely to develop high blood pressure.
Eating too much salt — This increases blood pressure in some people.
Alcohol — Heavy and regular use of alcohol can increase blood pressure dramatically.
Lack of exercise — An inactive lifestyle makes it easier to become overweight and increases the chance of high blood pressure.
Stress — This is often mentioned as a risk factor. However, stress levels are hard to measure, and responses to stress vary from person to person.

Uncontrollable risk factors
Race — African Americans develop high blood pressure more often than whites, and it tends to occur earlier and be more severe.
Heredity — A tendency to have high blood pressure runs in families. If your parents or other close blood relatives have it, you?re more likely to develop it.
Age — In general, the older you get, the greater your chance of developing high blood pressure. It occurs most often in people over age 35. Men seem to develop it most often between age 35 and 50. Women are more likely to develop it after menopause.

To learn more about high blood pressure and the high risk of stroke, click here.

Stroke Risk Factors Risk factors you can change, treat or control High blood pressure — This is the single most important risk factor of stroke. Know your blood pressure and have it checked at least once every two years. It should be lower than 140/90 mm Hg. Diabetes mellitus — While diabetes is treatable, having it still increases a person’s risk of stroke. People with diabetes often also have high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and are overweight, increasing their stroke risk even more. If you have diabetes, work closely with your doctor to manage it. Heart disease — People with heart disease have a higher risk for stroke. Atrial fibrillation, which causes an irregular heartbeat, is a significant risk factor for stroke. Heart attack is the major cause of death among stroke survivors. TIAs — A TIA (trans ischemic attack) is a "mini" stroke that lasts a short time and goes away without causing permanent damage. Recognizing and treating TIAs can reduce your risk of a major stroke. It’s very important to recognize the warning signs of a TIA or stroke. Call 9-1-1 or get medical attention immediately if they occur. Carotid artery disease — The carotid arteries in your neck supply blood to your brain. A carotid artery narrowed by a fatty buildup of plaque (atherosclerosis) may become blocked by a blood clot, causing a stroke. Risk factors requiring a lifestyle change Many people don’t realize that stroke is usually predictable and often preventable. Here are the risk factors you can modify by the personal choices you make each day: Tobacco use Physical inactivity and obesity Excessive alcohol intake Illegal drug use Risk factors you can't change These are the risk factors that you can’t do anything about: Increasing age Heredity and race Prior stroke Remember! Know the warning signs! Stroke is a medical emergency! Respond quickly and call 9-1-1! Don't ignore the warning signs of stroke, even if they go away! Knowing these warning signs may help you save your life or the life of someone you love. Learn the warning signs of heart attack and stroke by clicking here .		Links on This Site Impact of Stroke Stroke Risk Factors High blood pressure is a key risk factor for heart attack and stroke. Learn your blood pressure numbers by having it checked with a quick (and painless) test during your next checkup. read more...