Blood pressure is the force of blood flow inside your blood vessels. Your doctor records your blood pressure as two numbers, such as 120/80, which you may hear them say as “120 over 80.” Both numbers are important.

The first number is the pressure as your heart beats and pushes blood through the blood vessels. Health care providers call this the “systolic” pressure. The second number is the pressure when the vessels relax between heartbeats. It’s called the “diastolic” pressure.

The lower your blood pressure, the better your chances of delaying or preventing a heart attack or a stroke

When your blood moves through your vessels with too much force, you have high blood pressure or hypertension. Your heart has to work harder when blood pressure is high, and your risk for heart disease and diabetes goes up. High blood pressure raises your risk for heart attack, stroke, eye problems and kidney disease. High blood pressure is a problem that won’t go away without treatment and changes to your diet

You should always have an idea of what your blood pressure is, just as you know your height and weight.

High blood pressure is a silent problem — you won’t know you have it unless your health care provider checks your blood pressure. Have your blood pressure checked at each regular health care visit, or at least once every two years (people without diabetes or other risk factors for heart disease)

• Healthy blood pressure: below 120/80
• Early high blood pressure: between 120/80 and 140/90
• High blood pressure: 140/90 or higher