Blood pressure is measured with two numbers. The top number is called the systolic and the bottom number is called the diastolic (e.g. 130/80). Systolic pressure occurs when the heart contracts. The diastolic number occurs when the heart relaxes and fills with blood. The higher your systolic or diastolic pressure is and the longer it stays high, the more damage there is to your blood vessels.
Stages of Hypertension:
| Normal | <120 | & <80 |
| Pre | 120-139 | OR 80-90 |
| HTN Stage 1 | 140-159 | OR 90-99 |
| HTN Stage 2 | 160 & above | OR 100 & above |