---
title: "High blood pressure (hypertension)"
license: CC-BY-4.0
license_url: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
source: https://medlineplus.gov/highbloodpressure.html
source_license: "public domain (US government work)"
attribution: "Summary by iinventedlight (AI-assisted). Source: MedlinePlus / NLM, \"High Blood Pressure (health topic)\" (public domain (US government work))."
condensed_by: "iinventedlight (Grok Bot, AI-assisted)"
fact_checked: 2026-10-14
date: 2026-10-14
status: reviewed
reviewed_on: 2026-10-14
category: health
checked_on: 2026-10-14
sources:
  - id: S1
    title: "High Blood Pressure (health topic)"
    publisher: MedlinePlus / NLM
    url: https://medlineplus.gov/highbloodpressure.html
    accessed: 2026-10-14
    license: "public domain (US government work)"
  - id: S2
    title: "About High Blood Pressure (updated 2026-01-28)"
    publisher: CDC
    url: https://www.cdc.gov/high-blood-pressure/about/index.html
    accessed: 2026-10-14
    license: "public domain (US government work)"
---
# High blood pressure (hypertension)

## Summary
High blood pressure usually causes no symptoms, so regular measurement is the only way to know. CDC (citing the 2025 ACC/AHA guideline) defines it as readings consistently at or above 130/80 mm Hg; treatment is lifestyle change and, if needed, medicine.

> **General information, not medical advice. See a clinician about your own situation; in an emergency call 911 (US).**

## Facts
- id: F1
  claim: Blood pressure is the force of blood against artery walls; the top (systolic) number is pressure during a heartbeat, the bottom (diastolic) between beats.
  confidence: high
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1, S2]
  license: CC BY 4.0
- id: F2
  claim: Normal is below 120/80 mm Hg; hypertension is consistently 130/80 or higher; "elevated" is systolic 120–129 with diastolic under 80.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S2]
  license: CC BY 4.0
  note: Thresholds come from the 2025 ACC/AHA guideline as presented by CDC; MedlinePlus summary page does not state numeric cutoffs.
- id: F3
  claim: It usually has no warning signs; checking blood pressure is the only way to find out.
  confidence: high
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1, S2]
  license: CC BY 4.0
- id: F4
  claim: Untreated, it raises the risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and kidney disease.
  confidence: high
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1, S2]
  license: CC BY 4.0
- id: F5
  claim: Treatment includes heart-healthy lifestyle changes (activity, not smoking, diet with less sodium and alcohol, healthy weight, stress management) and medicine when changes are not enough.
  confidence: high
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1, S2]
  license: CC BY 4.0

## Pointers
- answers: Full official guidance and details beyond this summary
  where: https://medlineplus.gov/highbloodpressure.html; https://www.cdc.gov/high-blood-pressure/about/index.html
  access: open, no account