The first and most important fact to understand about high blood pressure, or hypertension, is that it can kill you.
High blood pressure, left untreated and uncontrolled, can lead to a heart attack, heart failure, kidney disease, or stroke among other things.
You do NOT want to find out the hard way that you have high blood pressure.
The second fact that you need to understand about high blood pressure is that there are no symptoms that you will recognize as symptoms.
You can feel just fine and be functioning at top-drawer level, and still have high blood pressure.
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is often referred to as "the silent killer" simply because there are no discernible symptoms...
no warning signs..
..
nothing at all to alert you to a problem.
Finally, there is something you can do about the problem that is absolutely painless -- and even can be free.
Have your blood pressure checked.
There are places in drug stores that will check your blood pressure at no cost.
All you have to do is sit down and put your arm into a supplied cuff.
The machine does the rest.
You will get a reading on an LCD screen that will give you your systolic and diastolic readings and probably your heart rate as well.
The reading that you are hoping for is between 100-139/60-89.
Anywhere is that range is considered normal, and you do not have a problem.
Average blood pressure for an adult under the age of 55 is 120/80 -- that is the AVERAGE, not a requirement.
If you find your blood pressure at 140/90 or higher, you need to make an appointment with your doctor.
(See the first paragraph of this article.
) Your doctor will probably recommend lifestyle changes and prescribe a blood-pressure-lowering medication...
and save your life.