What is blood pressure?

From the Guidelines

Blood pressure is defined as the force of blood pushing against the walls of arteries, with a normal level being less than 120/80 mm Hg, and levels of 130/80 mm Hg or higher considered hypertensive. This definition is based on the most recent guidelines from the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) 1. The measurement of blood pressure is a crucial aspect of diagnosing and managing hypertension, with systolic blood pressure (SBP) increasing with advancing age in most populations.

Key Points to Consider

• Blood pressure is a continuous variable, and elevated blood pressure is associated with the development of many comorbid conditions, such as coronary artery disease, heart failure, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, and chronic kidney disease 1.
• The definition of hypertension has been lowered to 130/80 mm Hg, which implies that an additional 14% of the adult U.S. population meets criteria for hypertension 1.
• Undiagnosed hypertension is an important public health concern, especially in younger patients, with up to 33% of men aged 20 to 44 years with hypertension unaware that they had the disease 1.
• Routine screening is important to diagnose the condition, and recognition, diagnosis, education, and effective management are critical to reduce the long-term morbidity and mortality associated with hypertension 1.

Importance of Accurate Blood Pressure Measurement

The accurate measurement of blood pressure is essential for diagnosing and managing hypertension. The gold standard for clinical blood pressure measurement has always been readings taken by a trained health care provider using a mercury sphygmomanometer and the Korotkoff sound technique, but there is increasing evidence that this procedure may lead to the misclassification of large numbers of individuals as hypertensive 1. Automated devices, such as aneroid and oscillometric devices, are being used with increasing frequency, but their accuracy has not been fully established 1.

Clinical Implications

The diagnosis and management of hypertension should be based on the most recent guidelines and evidence-based recommendations. This includes lifestyle modifications, such as diet and exercise, as well as pharmacologic treatment when necessary 1. The goal of treatment is to reduce the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and to improve quality of life. By prioritizing the accurate measurement and management of blood pressure, healthcare providers can help to reduce the burden of hypertension and improve patient outcomes.

From the FDA Drug Label

Blood pressure is the force in your blood vessels when your heart beats and when your heart rests. You have high blood pressure when the force is too much. Blood pressure is defined as the force in your blood vessels when your heart beats and when your heart rests. High blood pressure occurs when this force is too much.

• It is the force of blood pushing against the walls of blood vessels.
• High blood pressure, or hypertension, happens when this force is too great. 2

From the Research

Definition of Blood Pressure

• Blood pressure is defined as the pressure of blood against the walls of arteries, with systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) being the two main components 3, 4, 5.
• Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is defined as persistent systolic blood pressure (SBP) at least 130 mm Hg or diastolic BP (DBP) at least 80 mm Hg 3, or persistently elevated systolic blood pressure (SBP) >140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) at least 90 mmHg 4.

Measurement and Classification

• Accurate standardized blood pressure (BP) measurement is essential for evaluating patients with hypertension 5.
• Blood pressure can be classified into different categories, with normal blood pressure being less than 120/80 mm Hg, and hypertension being 130/80 mm Hg or higher 3.

Prevalence and Risk Factors

• Hypertension affects approximately 116 million adults in the US and more than 1 billion adults worldwide, making it a leading cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality 3, 4, 5.
• Risk factors for hypertension include lifestyle factors such as diet, physical activity, and alcohol consumption, as well as genetic predisposition and environmental factors 4, 5.

Treatment and Management

• Lifestyle changes, including dietary modifications and increased physical activity, are effective in lowering blood pressure and preventing hypertension and its CVD sequelae 3, 4, 5.
• Pharmacological therapy, including angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, dihydropyridine calcium-channel blockers, and thiazide diuretics, is also effective in lowering blood pressure and preventing CVD outcomes 3, 5, 6, 7.